The History of The Way of the Cross Church of Christ Interntional

In 1926, Henry Chauncey Brooks started his first church named Emmanuel Tabernacle, which was located at 4th and W Street, NW Washington, DC. After being there five months, he was informed that he had to leave because another church had purchased the building. This caused the small congregation to be scattered. For approximately three months he went without any accommodations. He stored the church equipment in the home of Charles and Alice Johnson, (his brother-in-law and Sister), at 3rd and Q Street, NW. This is where the church reorganized.

The membership consisted of his wife, Willie Shaw Dunston Brooks (Henry and Willie Brooks had three children at that time – Isabel, John and Essie); Charles and Alice Johnson; Rose Belle Howard; and Lovie Foster Brown. On the night of February 28, 1927, The Way of the Cross Church of Christ was started; however the name was not given until they located the building at 2nd and P Street, NW. The owner asked for what purpose they would be using the building, and Bishop Brooks answered, “A church”. He asked Deacon Bruce for a name. Deacon Bruce replied, “The Way of The Cross”. Until that time, they had only been regarded as the Church of Christ. Combined, we now have The Way of the Cross Church of Christ.

The Lord blessed tremendously, and in approximately one year, the building at 2nd and P Street, NW was filled to capacity. As a result, they were required to find another place to worship. They moved to 21st and M Street, NW. This building had a seating capacity of 300. After seven years there, it was also filled to capacity. One of the charter members, Samuel M. Cole, told Bishop Brooks about a building at 4th and Virginia Avenue, SE Washington, DC in May 1935. Bishop Brooks and Elder Alexander R. Harris went to see the building. As they sat in the 3rd bench in the middle aisle the Lord told Bishop Brooks to claim it and this is where it remained for the next twenty-eight years. A highway construction project forced the church to move.

In need of a place to worship, by the leading of the Lord Bishop Brooks found the building at 9th and D Street NE, Washington, DC in 1963. He inquired of the current pastor if the building was for sale and was told that they had just completed $100,000 worth of renovations, so they had no intention of selling. Bishop Brooks told the pastor that the Lord sent him there. He contacted an agent and the next Sunday, The Way of the Cross Church of Christ membership worshipped in the building.

The church received its charter credentials from Bishop Robert Clarence Lawson, Founder of Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in June 1928 and became incorporated in December 1933. The Way of the Cross organization now had the authority to establish and organize other churches. Elder Henry C. Brooks was consecrated as Bishop in 1933.

From its humble origin on Third Street, to Second and P to Twenty-first and M, to Fourth and Virginia Avenue, to 9th & D Streets, and to our present location at 1800 Hazelwood Drive located in Capitol Heights, Maryland God has blessed The Way of the Cross Church of Christ International.

Presiding Bishop Sucession

Bishop Henry C. Brooks served as Pastor of the Mother Church from 1927 until his death on June 12, 1967, Pastor of Ransom WOTCC from 1933-1947, and Presiding Bishop of The Way of the Cross International from 1944-1967. Bishop Walter J. Thompson Sr., Bishop Willie James Davis, and Bishop Joseph Weathers were the three Elders that served as Interim Pastor for four month terms each.

Bishop John Luke Brooks, the brother-in-law of Bishop Henry C. Brooks, became the Pastor of the Mother Church from 1967-1978. He also served as the second Presiding Bishop of The Way of the Cross Church of Christ International until his death in 1981.

Bishop Harry Clay Eggleston became the third Presiding Bishop of The Way of the Cross Church of Christ International upon the death of Bishop John L. Brooks. He served in this capacity until his death from 1981-1984.

Apostle Leroy H. Cannady, Sr. became the fourth Presiding Bishop of The Way of the Cross Church of Christ International in 1985. After thirty years of service to the organization and remaining loyal to its doctrine and his stance on the resounding declaration that “The Way of the Cross Leads Home” Apostle Cannady decided it was time for a change in leadership. He served in this capacity from 1985 – 2015

Bishop Alphonzo D. Brooks, the son of the late founder Bishop Henry C Brooks, became the fifth Presiding Bishop of The Way of the Cross Church of Christ International in 2015. Bishop Alphonzo D. Brooks has served in many capacities within The Way of the Cross Church of Christ International and desires to continue the legacy of leading souls to Christ, helping TRhe Way of the Cross Church of Christ International grow domestically and internationally, while honoring his predecessors by proclaiming, ““The Way of the Cross Leads Home”. He served in this capacity from 2015-2021

Bishop Earley Dillard became the sixth Presiding Bishop of The Way of the Cross Church of Christ International in 2021. Bishop Earley Dillard has served in many capacities within The Way of the Cross Church of Christ International and desires to continue the legacy of leading souls to Christ by "The Spirit Of Fellowship", Galatian 2:9!

The WOTCC International Historical Timeline

1926

Pastor Henry Brooks started his first church named Emmanuel Tabernacle

February 28, 1927

The WOTCC began

June 1, 1928

Bishop R.C. Lawson licensed Pastor Henry Brooks and issued charter credentials to The WOTCC

December 1933

The WOTCC was incorporated

Supreme Elder Henry C.  Brooks consecrated as Bishop

1944

Bishop Henry C. Brooks
1st Presiding Bishop of The WOTCC

1946
Quarterly Newspaper called "Christian Guide" published, Clubs added: Senior Brothers Club, Junior Brothers Club, Floral Club

February 1954
Isabell Ford reorganized the young people creating the Youth For Christ.

1967

Bishop John  L. Brooks
2nd Presiding Bishop of The WOTCC

Foreign mission began

7 churches added in Ghana, West Africa.

1981

Bishop Harry C. Eggleston
3rd Presiding Bishop of The WOTCC

1985

Bishop Leroy H. Cannady
4th Presiding Bishop of The WOTCC Intl.

Formation of the Executive Board of Bishops, General Board of Bishops, Pastoral Council, Ministers & Elders Council, Pastor's Wives Council, and National Sunday School Department


17 church's added in USA

Formation of the Ministerial Development and Certification Training Program (MCTDP)

2015

Bishop Alphonza D. Brooks
5th Presiding Bishop of The WOTCC Intl.

Bishop Leroy H. Cannady consecrated as the 1st Apostle of The WOTCC Intl.

12 church's added in Haiti

38 church's added in Monrovia, Liberia

90 church's added in India


12 church's added in USA

Purchased the rights to the Apostolic Christiaan College (ACC)

2021

Bishop Earley Dillard
6th Presiding Bishop of The WOTCC Intl.

Launched ACC Online

Launched redesigned National website

Launched new Holy Convocation website

National Headquarters
Bishop Bennett B. Gamble, Sr.
General Secretary

Deacon Herbert Contee
Trustee Board Executive Administrator

1800 Hazelwood Drive
Capitol Heights, MD 20743, US

Executive Staff

Bishop Earley Dillard, Presiding Bishop
Bishop Roosevelt Fulton, Vice Presiding Bishop
Bishop Darnell Easton, 2nd Vice Presiding Bishop
Bishop Alphonzo D. Brooks, Presider Emeritus
Bishop Bennett B Gamble, Sr., General Secretary