Police Called to Church After Dispute Over Bishop G. E. Patterson's Property

Police Called to Church After Dispute Over Bishop G. E. Patterson's Property
from The Belle Report

Memphis, TN.-- Police were recently called to the Temple of Deliverance after a dispute over the property of the late presiding Church of God in Christ Bishop G.E. Patterson. Patterson's things were packed into boxes and the locks were changed on the door to his office.

Bishop Jerry Maynard, the regional leader of COGIC, is behind the changes. He said he needs to use the space as a study. Patterson's widow Louise objected to the move and the authorities were called.

Sister Louise Patterson was surrounded by family and friends for support. She went to the office of her late husband of nearly 40 years and found that the locks had been changed.

Maynard changed the locks and packed Bishop Patterson's belongings into boxes, according to his Nashville P.R. representative. She said everything was done respectfully.

Louise Patterson said she thinks the matter can be resolved within the church.

"It's a thing that's quite emotional, but I am hoping that the church can resolve the matter and everyone can go away peacefully, but I ask for the prayers of everybody," she said.
   
Maynard said he planned to use Patterson's office as a study when he's in town on Sunday's to deliver sermons.

But this Sunday, COGIC member Felecia Moore says there will be some disappointed people in attendance.  "We just don't need the confusion at this time," she said. "We need to pull it together and go forward. That's what Bishop Patterson would have wanted."
   
Moore said members are still grieving with the church's first lady. Patterson herself said she feels weakened by the ordeal.

"The church is doing fine," she said. "We're awaiting a pastor. I'm not doing so good, but I will be fine."

Maynard will be in town Sunday to act as pastor for the Temple of Deliverance.

Elder C. H. Mason Patterson has also just released a statement on the incident. It said in part: "Since his funeral, Bishop G. E. Patterson's widow has been battling physical illness. Despite this, Mrs. Patterson was assembling a trusted team to prepare the office for the new permanent pastor's arrival in September. .... We were shocked to discover that the office locks were changed and Bishop Patterson's massive collection of personal effects removed from the office without Mrs. Patterson's knowledge or input."

Temple of Deliverance's 5,000 seat sanctuary in Memphis, completed in 2000
  

 

Mrs. Louise Patterson,widow of the late Presiding Bishop of The Church Of God In Christ International G.E. Patterson went to her husbands office this morning and found out that the locks had been changed and that the bishop's belongings were in boxes.

The order to evict Mrs. Patterson from her husband's office came from Bishop Jerry Maynard the interim pastor,and a man who could never stand in the shadow of the founder of Temple Of Deliverance. It has been expected for Maynard to make a power play and try to destroy the legacy of Patterson to create a place for himself.

Maynard stated that he needed the office for his "study" when he's in Memphis to preach,as if in this massive church there was no where else for him to study. And from what I hear about his preaching ability the "study" isn't doing him any good.

Saints from around the country read this site, in fact there is a story I wrote several months ago that is no longer on this main page that has over 600 comments on it. So Saints what do you think about Louise Patterson being evicted from the church that her husband built? What do you think about Maynard, is he a power hungry demon? Did Bishop Patterson own the land and building and if so how can Maynard change anything with out her okay?Will the saints just pray or get off there knees and demand that Maynard be removed?