The Church of God In Christ will move its annual Holy Convocation out of Memphis and back to St. Louis in 2026, Bishop Brandon Porter announced Tuesday.
The event, which brings thousands of church members to the city, had moved to St. Louis in 2010, but moved back to Memphis through 2025. It will return to St. Louis in 2026.
Porter said Tuesday that church delegates recently voted to move the convocation to St. Louis through 2028.
Memphis had been home to the annual Holy Convocation for COGIC members for a century before the first move to St. Louis. The historic Mason Temple, which resides on the street bearing its name, is the church’s world headquarters.
“We all appreciate the deep history and significance of the Church of God in Christ to our city. While we are saddened by their decision to move the conference to St. Louis, we respect their choice and will continue to honor the legacy they have built here,” said Memphis Mayor Paul Young in a release.
Porter told Memphis media outlets that the main challenge in Memphis has been lodging, which includes renovations at the Sheraton after the city purchased the largest hotel in Memphis.
He said COGIC hopes the hotel situation will be improved by 2029 and the event can return to Memphis.
During its previous years in St. Louis, COGIC’s annual spiritual gathering brought thousands of people to downtown St. Louis for praise and worship at America’s Center. More than 30,000 congregation members assemble for biblical instruction, training, and spiritual inspiration each year.
St. Louis has benefited from hosting COGIC’s Holy Convocation as the convention has generated a sizable economic footprint in the area. In a statement from a COGIC’s spokesperson the impact to the St. Louis regional economy was expected to exceed $143 million during the 2020 convention.