Since the announcement of the annual Holy Convocation move from Memphis to St. Louis in 2010, there has been a lot of discussion and questions within the Church. In an effort to answer those questions, COGIC.com sat down with Superintendent Dickerson Wells at the Church Of God In Christ headquarters to gain insight about why the move came about and how it will affect Saints who attend.
COGIC.com: Why did the Church choose to leave Memphis?
Supt. Wells: It was never the desire of the Church or the leadership to leave Memphis. This has been our home for more than 100 years. However, we could not help but hear and respond to the cry of the delegates regarding increasing hotel rates.
COGIC.com: What were Saints saying about the rates?
Supt. Wells: For years rates were too high. Saints were paying full service hotel prices for hotels that were not full service in Memphis during the Holy Convocation. We felt that the Church Of God In Christ members who visited Memphis during the Convocation should have received more affordable prices. However, the hotel community would not cooperate with the Church when we voiced our concerns. The Church Of God In Christ and its delegates believed that we deserve better concessions given that we have an economic impact on the City of Memphis annually of a minimum of $35 million.
COGIC.com: Is the Church Of God In Christ Headquarters going to relocate?
Supt. Wells: No. The headquarters will remain in Memphis. There has been speculation with rumors of moving to Los Angeles. However, this rumor is false and is far from the Presiding Bishop’s desire. Memphis will continue to be the headquarters for daily business regarding the Church Of God In Christ affairs.
COGIC.com: Is it possible that the COGIC Holy Convocation will return back to Memphis after 2010?
Supt. Wells: It is our prayer that Memphis will work with the Church so that we can bring our Holy Convocation back to Memphis as soon as possible. We want to be in Memphis, because of history and our love for this city. There are many cities with far better accommodations regarding hotels and convention facilities and services. However, the Presiding Bishop and General Board feel that if the rates are affordable and the Memphis Convention and Visitor’s Bureau gives us the concessions we feel we are due, we can come to a mutual agreement and return to our spiritual Jerusalem.
COGIC.com: Whose decision was it to leave Memphis?
Supt. Wells: The initial decision to leave Memphis was that of the Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. and the General Board after much deliberation and negotiation with the City of Memphis and the hotel community. There were several meetings with Kevin Kane, John Oris, Former Memphis Mayor Herenton and Shelby County Mayor Wharton. We felt it imperative to meet with both the Memphis and hotel leadership to make our plea with them all on behalf of the entire Church. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in negotiating with them to acquire what we felt the Church and its constituents deserved. So, the Presidium voted to move, then took it before the General Assembly and the general assembly made the final decision. The General Assembly is chaired by former City of Memphis Mayor, Bishop J.O. Patterson, Jr.
COGIC.com: What benefits will the Saints receive in St. Louis?
Supt. Wells: One of the main benefits is the affordable rates. The average rate overall the city of St. Louis has offered the Church is $120 a night for the 2010 Holy Convocation. Now, in addition to affordable rates, St. Louis has offered discounted parking at the hotels, discounted meals not only at the hotels but the America Center, and the opportunity to have all of our Convocation activities in one venue. Where in the city of Memphis, we have to use several venues: Temple of Deliverance Church Of God In Christ, FedEx Forum, Pentecostal Temple and the Cook Convention Center. Some of these venues were used simultaneously for some events. Plus, the city of St. Louis is providing the Church with revenue that the city of Memphis does not. These are just a few of the benefits that we will receive from the city of St. Louis. The City of St. Louis and its Hotel Association are working with the Church in every way possible. They want us in St. Louis.
COGIC.com: What is the overall goal for the COGIC for the annual Holy Convocation?
Supt. Wells: The goal for the COGIC Convocation has always been and will continue to be spiritual renewal, education and training of its delegates.
Facts about America’s Center
- Located in the heart of downtown St. Louis
- 502,000 square-feet of prime exhibit space
- 83 flexible meeting rooms, six contiguous exhibit halls
- 28,000 square-foot ballroom
- 1,411-seat Ferrara Theatre
- Renovated St. Louis Executive Conference Center
- Credit Cards Accepted: All major credit cards accepted.
- Facility Location Setting: The Edward Jones Dome is located in downtown St. Louis, near the St. Louis Museum of Art, Science Center, Gateway Arch, restaurants, nightlife, hotels, and other attractions.
- Max Number of People for an Event: 12000
- Nearest Airport: 11-15 miles
- Nearest Airport: 17-24 km
- Nearest Overnight Accommodations: Less than 1 mile
- Nearest Overnight Accommodations: Less than 2 km
- Nearest Public Transportation: Less than 1 mile
- Nearest Public Transportation: Less than 2 km
- Number of Event/Function Spaces: 118
- Number of On-Site Restaurants: 2
- Parking: Parking Open Lot Off-site
- Proximity of Neighboring Golf Course: 6-10 miles
- Proximity of Neighboring Golf Course: 9-16 km
- Seating Capacity: 70000
- Special Features: The Edward Jones Dome provides multiple stadium configurations that can seat up to 70,000 people. Seating levels include: a private luxury suite level, a private club seat and luxury suite level, a concourse level, and terrace level.
- Total Exhibit Space (Square Feet): 502,000
- Total Exhibit Space (Square Meters): 46,637.3
- Total Meeting Room Space (Square Feet): 162,472
- Total Meeting Room Space (Square Meters): 15,094.1
- Year Built: 1995
