Our Founder

Bishop Cody Vernon Marshall Served • 1957-2015

Cody Vernon Marshall, Jr., was born in Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois on November 28, 1931. He is the only child born to the union of Cody Vernon Marshall, Sr. and Winnolia Scott Marshall.

Cody received his formal education in Chicago, Illinois, with the exception of one year spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana. On June 9, 1948, he graduated from Tilden Technical High School. On February 1, 1954, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Chemistry at Roosevelt University. He furthered his studies at Roosevelt University, and he received Biblical studies at Moody Bible Institute. He also received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in August, 1974 from Trinity Hall Seminary.

Cody was saved at the age of 19 on Palm Sunday in 1951. He was called to the gospel of ministry on July 4, 1952. He was ordained as an elder in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in January, 1955.

Also in 1955, Cody fell in love and married the lovely Calverta Perry on August 7, 1955. To this union, three children were born: Cody Vernon Marshall, III, Sharon Yvonne, and LaSylvia Delores. Cody Vernon Marshall, III, passed away in May 1978. Bishop was a proud grandfather of five grandsons: Richard Kelly, III, Cody Kelly, Roger Walls, Luther Walls, and Marshall Walls, and one great grandson, Mason Walls.

Elder Marshall accepted his first pastoral assignment at Zion Mission COGIC in July, 1956. He submitted his resignation the first Sunday of July, 1957, and he became the founding pastor of Freedom Temple COGIC on July 21, 1957.

During those years as a minister and elder, Bishop Marshall served the church in many capacities: 3 years as District Sunday School Superintendent; 17 years as District General Superintendent; 17 years as Jurisdictional Secretary; 6 years as Jurisdictional President, Home & Foreign Missions; 9 years as Administrative Assistant to the Bishop. In November, 1989, Elder Marshall was elevated to Bishop of Northern Illinois jurisdiction, . Since 1991, Bishop Marshall served as Financial Secretary to the Board of Bishops of the Church of God in Christ.

Bishop Marshall also served in various positions with fellow clergy in the Chicago area. He served as President of the Auxiliary Chaplains of Cook County since 1994. Bishop Marshall served as Chairman of the Coalition of Religious Leaders of Illinois from 1997-2010 When necessary, he served as Chairman for the Concerned Clergy of Chicago, in place of Dr. Clay Evans, during his illness and retirement from 2001-2006. Bishop Marshall was also a supporter of many economic, political, and governmental projects throughout the years.

The Lord allowed Bishop Marshall and the congregants of Freedom Temple COGIC to dedicate a seven million dollar worship center in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago on Saturday, September 23, 2006. It includes a fitness center, multi-purpose hall/gymnasium, daycare center, living quarters for the Bishop, office spaces, and a 1200-seat sanctuary.

Bishop Cody V. Marshall served Freedom Temple for over 60 years until he appointed Elder Billy Jermale Evans as pastor in July of 2015. Bishop Marshall continued to serve as leader and advisor until his death in 2018. Bishop Marshall left behind a firm foundation that we still stand on today. His legacy continues to live on through our leaders, our members, and our church.