Tildenville Church of God in Christ was organized in 1938 under the leadership of Elder Charlie Hayward.  The church was a small one-room shack located on low land.  Whenever it rained, the members would have to move to find a dry place to sit. 

 Not long after the church was formed, Minister David Thompson and his family moved to Winter Garden and became members of the church.  Shortly after their arrival, Superintendent Lewis Hart asked Minister Thompson to oversee the church until he could be ordained.  Minister Thompson was ordained in 1949 and was appointed as pastor of the church.   Elder Thompson continued to serve as pastor for the next 60 years, until his demise in 2009. 

 Under Elder Thompson’s leadership, the church began to grow and the congregation soon realized a new sanctuary was needed.  The landowners in the area would not sell the land to the church, but agreed to sell the land to Elder Thompson, who paid off the land and deeded it to the church.  Tildenville Church of God in Christ was constructed in its present location in 1950 by Pastor Thompson and the members of the church.  They would work their regular jobs during the day and work on the church at night.  

The church has been a central part of the Tildenville community.  Under Pastor Thompson’s leadership, several ministries were implemented including Youth Ministries, Couples Ministry, Mother’s Board (Women’s ministry), Community Outreach ministries, and a radio ministry.  

Pastor Thompson also served as Pastor of the historic Bay Street Church of God in Christ from 1951 until 2000 and as District Superintendent of the Orlando District from 1977 until 2009, overseeing nine churches in Central Florida area.  

Several pastors, ministers, evangelists, missionaries and deacons were trained under Superintendent Thompson’s leadership. Elder Elliott Brown is one of these ministers. After being ordained in 1992, Elder Brown served as Superintendent Thompson’s assistant for several years.  Following Supt. Thompson’s homegoing, Elder Brown was appointed as pastor of the church by Bishop Harvey David Bryan.  

Under Pastor Brown’s leadership, Tildenville COGIC has continued to uphold the legacy of ministry and service to its members and the community, building and expanding the existing ministries and also implementing a Men’s Ministry, Prayer Line and our First Friday Fresh Oil Services.  Many new members have been added to the ministry.

  The church building was completely renovated in 2010, adding central air and heat, a sound booth, new pews and stained glass windows.  Additional property has also been purchased adjacent to and across the street from the church to allow for future expansion/growth of the ministry.  

We have come this far by faith, and we are moving forward by faith, with Divine Purpose into our Destiny.