Bishop Rufus Abraham Reid Johnson
Founder of the House of God
1863-1940

From his early years until the age of 40, Bishop Johnson was a minister in the Methodist Church in Macon, Georgia.

When Bishop Johnson left the Methodist Church he joined forces with Mother Mary L. Tate who had established an organization in 1903 known as “The Church of The Living God, Pillar and Ground of The Truth”. He worked closely with her, but due to his conviction concerning the Sabbath, he began to organize this organization in 1914.

It was 1914, when Bishop Johnson introduced to Pastor George William Washington the truth about keeping God’s Sabbath. Pastor Washington was the first pastor with a actual church building to become apart of The House of God. Pastor Washington is the father of Elect Lady Mable Washington of Norristown, Pa.

On May 24, 1922, Bishop Johnson met his wife to be, Lena Brown, who was at that time a member of the P.A.W. Organization. They were joined in matrimony in 1924. Lena Johnson was ordained and made an assistant overseer by Bishop Johnson.

Bishop Johnson was successful in the establishment of this great organization until his death. However, he suffered great tribulation and made many sacrifices. On one occasion during his stay in Cobham, Virginia, Bishop Johnson was struck down by a man on a horse. He was helped by a by passer to clean the blood from his body. Bishop Johnson was hurt in such a manner that he was forced to crawl for additional assistance. It is not clear as to why this happen, but because of Bishop Johnson’s fair colored skin and silken hair, he was not liked by many. The tribulations and sacrifices Bishop Johnson suffered will never be known and written about in its fullness.

During the 22nd General Assembly in New York City, on August 21, 1940 Bishop Johnson departed this life at 15 West 119 St. on the second floor above the temple. Bishop S.L. Henry made the arrangements for the body of Bishop Johnson to be shipped back to New Jersey, to be buried. Bishop Henry met the train in New Jersey and attended to all the funeral arrangements. His memory will always be remembered and cherished as pioneer of this great organization.

Personal History

- Bishop R.A.R. Johnson, Founder of The House of God, The Holy Church of The Living God, The Pillar And The Ground of The Truth, The House of Prayer for All People Inc., was born on January 1, 1863/64 in Crawfordville, Georgia. This was during the days of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

- His Birth Name was a result of slavery which existed at that time.

- William Crawford, the father of our church founder, was born in Newborn N.C.

- William Crawford’s Slave Master Mr. Johnson, changed William Crawford to William Johnson

- Mr. Johnson gave William Johnson and wife to his daughter Eliza who was married to Benjamin Reid

- House of God Founder was born as “Rufus Abraham Reid Johnson”.

Information Retrieved From Church Archives And Members of The Organization.
Articles Rewritten by Dr. Larry Steven Sherrill Sr.