Bishop James E. McKnight Sr.

McKnight, Sr.
A final celebration of life for Bishop Emeritus James E. McKnight, Sr. will be held at 11am on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Rd. Gainesville, FL 32611. There will be a public viewing of Bishop Emeritus in Marion County on Thursday, June 3, 2021 from 1-6 PM at Ocala Temple of Church of God by Faith, 707 W Fort King St, Ocala, FL 34471. There will be a public viewing in Alachua County on Friday, June 4, 2021 from 4-6pm at Gainesville #1 Church of God by Faith, 735 SE 15th St. Gainesville, FL from 4-6pm with a Wake following from 6:00- 7:30 PM. The public may view Bishop Emeritus on Saturday June 5, 2021 from 9:30am -10:30am at the Performing Arts Center.
A life-long resident of Gainesville, FL. He was married to Mother Jessie Camps McKnight over 67-years. They have four children, Janice, James, Jr., John, and Jonathan. He has eight grands and seven great-grandchildren. He was born into the Church of God by Faith (COGBF) and became a full-pledged member in June 1953. Bishop McKnight graduated from Lincoln High School and attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, FL. He was called to serve the U.S. Army during the Korean War and received special training as a sergeant in the Intelligence Division. He then attended leadership training at a seminary in Meridian, MS and became an ordained minister of the COGBF in 1957. He taught minister's training classes at Matthew Scippio Academy and later received an Honorary Doctoral Degree.
Bishop McKnight was first appointed as a deacon in 1957 for one month under the leadership of his father, Ruling Elder H. A. McKnight, Sr. He was appointed Senior Pastor of Gainesville but also pastored in Hopewell, Hawthorne, Raleigh, and Gainesville #2. He has faithfully served as Senior Pastor of Gainesville COGBF for over 54-years. In December 1960, he was appointed Executive Secretary of the COGBF and held that position until 1984. He was then appointed Assistant Bishop in August 1970 and held both the position of Executive Secretary and Assistant Bishop until 1984. He was appointed Presiding Bishop in 1984 and served until December 2014. Bishop McKnight was also very involved in his community and has served as a Board Member of the Eastside Clinic and Development Project and the Black-on-Black Crime Task Force for many years. He was also instrumental in providing shelter to the residents of a major apartment community that was displaced by fire. He has received several awards as a distinguished leader in the Gainesville Community and is highly respected locally and in the National Church.
Arrangements are entrusted to Chestnut Funeral Home. Resolutions should be emailed to Obituary@achestnutfuneral.com and flowers delivered to Chestnut Funeral Home, 18 NW 8th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601. However, In lieu of Flowers the family is directing contributions to the James E. McKnight Senior Scholarship Fund, Church of God By Faith, 2409 Old Middleburg Rd. N, Jacksonville, FL 32210. Questions may directed to 855-5-CHESTNUT.
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