Ellis Temple Church

Bishop Charles Edwin Bright, Sr.

May 10, 1927 – September 21, 2006

A Man of God, Blessed and Highly Favored

Bishop Charles Edwin Bright, Sr. was born on May 10, 1927 in Walterboro, SC to the late Mr. Cephus and Mrs. Sara Reid Bright. He completed his high school education at Colleton High School and attended college in Beaufort County where he took welding. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served in active combat overseas during World War II.

Bishop Bright was married to the late Mother Ruth Ella Heyward Bright.  Their legacy continues in their 13 children, one adopted child, 36 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Upon the death of Mother Ruth Ella Bright, Bishop Bright married Mother Marian Grant and assisted in rearing several additional grandchildren. He departed this life and started his new life with the Lord on September 21, 2006.

Bishop Bright was baptized in Jesus’ name and received the gift of the Holy Ghost in March of 1953 at Elizabeth Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Ritter, SC. He was under the direction of the late Elder Willie Heyward. He served as Deacon prior to being called to the Ministry. Bishop Bright served in the Sunday School Department as the local teacher and then superintendent. He labored and became the Sunday School Superintendent for the State of South Carolina. His love for the Sunday School continued on to the national level. Bishop Bright was elected International Sunday School Treasurer for the Churches of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Years of dedicated service to the Sunday School Department yielded Bishop Bright an induction into The International Sunday School Hall of Fame.

Bishop Bright attended every convention since he received the Holy Ghost in March of 1953, which amounted to 53 years consecutive attendance. To accomplish this monumental feat, he once drove across country to San Francisco, California, over 2000 miles, with his wife and 10 of his 13 children to attend the National Convention.

Bishop Bright is the founder of three churches in South Carolina’s Lowcountry.  The Lord led him to a small town called Yemassee in 1978. He baptized numerous people during a tent revival. The first member that received the Holy Ghost was Mother Ira May Ellis. He named Ellis Temple Church in her honor. Many others were

saved and joined the Ellis Temple Church family through the years. From humble beginnings in the town’s co-op building, Bishop Bright erected the beautiful house of worship that is Ellis Temple today.

In 1984, the Lord led Bishop Bright to one of the most drug-infested streets in Walterboro. He opened the doors of O’Jerusalem Church on Lemacks Street, also known as “The Block.” There he shared the Word of God, food, clothing, and unbridled love to all!

Lastly, in 1985 he was led even further to the town of Barton in Allendale County.  This church, Allendale Working Mission, was where he baptized and assisted many in receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

On July 22, 2007, during the 88^th International Holy Convocation of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ held in Columbia, South Carolina, Bishop Bright was appointed posthumously the Bishopric.

This appointment was made in recognition of Bishop Bright’s years of solemnly and publicly set apart and ordained work of the Gospel Ministry!

Some of Bishop Bright’s many quotes:

“People are more important than things.”

“Boys and books don’t mix.”

“If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”

“I think I can, I think I can, I know I can.”

“I’m not leaving a soul home today – We’re going to church.”

“When I’ve been there 10 thousand years, I’ll inquire about my mansion.”

“I want ALL my children saved.”

“The Sunday School is the church.”

Last but not least, ­

                         I'm Blessed and Highly Favored!