Bishop James Lawrence Gill Sr.

Bishop James L. Gill, Sr., age 79 of Cranston, RI transitioned from Servant of the Lord to live with the Lord on Sunday, December 16, 2018 at his home with his loving family by his side. 

Bishop Gill was the oldest of fourteen children born to the marital union of James Floyd Gill and Lillie Mae Brown Gill.  Bishop Gill received his high school diploma in 1957 from Jefferson High School in York, South Carolina.  He was a pre-med major at Morgan State College in Baltimore, Maryland.  He obtained his Associates Degree from the University of Connecticut, Bachelor’s Degree in Theological Studies from DeVry Institute and lastly, he obtained his Doctorate of Theology from Unity Bible College.

Bishop Gill began his spiritual journey as a minister/teacher and he was converted and baptized at the age of twelve.  He was a teacher, junior deacon, usher and president of both boards at his church for four years until he moved to Rhode Island. After moving to Rhode Island, he became a member of Brown Chapel Church in the early 1960’s.  In January of 1976, he became a member of Christ Temple Church of Providence.  In March of that year, he accepted the position of Associate Pastor until a Pastor could be found.  He served on several different boards: Board of Trustee, Planning Committee, Board of Directors, Prison and Outreach Ministries.  In addition, he served as General Treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent, Coordinator and co-host of their Radio Ministry program, Elder and Secretary.  Some of his proud moments consisted of being co-founder and president of the youth of God Fellowship, Youth Evangelist with the New England F.B.H. Churches also in the early 1960’s.  These were just a few of his many exciting events and moments from the past years.  

Bishop Gill became the Pastor of NLC United Holy Church/aka New Life Community Church of All Faith after serving as interim Pastor of New Life Community Church of All Faith in August 2006, while maintaining his position as Co-Pastor at Christ Temple Church until he was voted in as the Pastor at NLC United Holy Church then resigned from Christ Temple Church.  He remained in close fellowship with the Bishop and members there today.  He continued to be very active in the community as a member of Job with Justice, R. I. Workers Right Board, S.E.I.U. and D.A.R.E.  This didn’t stop Bishop Gill from teaching Bible Study classes, proving him to be a very dependable and faithful man of God.  He looked forward to serving the people of God.

His most honorable moment came when he was elected and consecrated as a Juridical Bishop in the International Fellowship of Churches on August 13, 2011; where the presiding Bishop was Paul L. McKoy, Sr. In August of 2012, he was appointed to The College of Bishop, where he received the Certificate of Apostolic.

Preceding him in death were his parents and three siblings: Mrs. Margaret Gill James, Mrs. Dora Gill Womsley and Dr. Janie Faye Gill.  Surviving to cherish his loving memories are his three children: Mrs. Rita Gill Lucas (William), Ms. Lana D. Gill and son James L. Gill, Jr., a granddaughter: Akeisha G. Johnson (Ray) and 9 siblings: Jody Gill (Audrey), William Gill (Madgeline), Mary Gill, Leola Gill Love (James), Mamie Daniel, Sandra Parks (Randy), Dr. Pamela Franklin (Dr. Kevin), Vickie Pendleton and Bonita Truesdale (Dennis), Brother-in-law: Sammy B. James.   Also left to cherish the memory of him, Aunt Roberta Sweet, Uncle: Reverend Daniel Brown (Janie), Aunts: Natylum Bratton and Teresa Brown, Godson: Dujuan Powell Goddaughter: Alexandra Straccia and best friend/caregiver Ms. Antonia Angelosanto and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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