Bishop G E Patterson The Dawn Of A New Day

COGIC Bishop G.E. Patterson Dies at 67

POSTED BY FLYER STAFF ON TUE, MAR 20, 2007 AT 4:00 AM

AP -- G.E. Patterson, the presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ and a minister for almost 50 years, died of heart failure Tuesday, the church announced. He was 67.

The predominantly black Protestant denomination, headquartered in Memphis, claims 6 million members worldwide and traces its origins to the 1870s.

The church said in a statement that Patterson died at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis.

Patterson was hospitalized in January for an undisclosed illness. He told his followers in 2005 that he suffered from prostate cancer.

At the 99th annual COGIC Holy Convocation in November, he said he had considered stepping down from the post he held since 2000, but changed his mind after receiving an outpouring of support.