BISHOP CHARLES H. MCCLELLAND
Bishop C.H. McClelland has served as the Pastor of Holy Cathedral Church of God In Christ in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, since 1982. Under his leadership, the church has grown from 25 members to over 1,200, outgrowing its original location and moving to its current site in 1989. Born in Covington, TN, in 1950 as the youngest of 10 children, Bishop McClelland moved to Milwaukee at 19, where he committed his life to God. He married his wife, Prentiss Delores, in 1974.
Before his full-time ministry, Bishop McClelland worked for 19 years with the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, managing 54 employees and an $8 million budget. This role prepared him to establish Word of Hope Ministries Inc. in 1996, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing vital services such as health care, youth mentorship, prisoner re-entry programs, Â employment, atoda (alcohol, tobacco & other drug abuse), technology & financial literacy. Over the past 28 years, Word of Hope has served more than 50,000 individuals and families in the community.
In 2008, Bishop McClelland was consecrated as Bishop of the Wisconsin Northwest Jurisdiction, where he expanded the jurisdiction to 45 churches, including new congregations in underserved areas. His leadership was further recognized in 2021 when he was elected to the Church of God in Christ General Board, contributing to the governance and spiritual direction of the global denomination.
Bishop McClelland holds a BA from Marquette University and honorary doctorates from Saint Thomas Christian University and Trinity Hall College. His accolades include the Marquette University “Person for Others” Award and numerous civic honors. Committed to Kingdom building and community service, Bishop McClelland continues to inspire and lead through his ministry and outreach efforts.