BISHOP WILLIAM C. BASS, SR.

Bishop William Curtiss Bass, Sr. is a lifelong resident of Monessen, PA. He is the son of the late Bishop Joseph E. Bass Sr. and Mother Mary V. Bass. He was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost at the early age of twelve. He graduated from Monessen High School, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Washington Theologian Seminary. He was ordained an Elder in the church in 1968 by the late Bishop Gordon E. Vaughn. Bishop Bass served as Assistant Pastor at Gate of Heaven Church of God in Christ in Monessen for thirty years. During that time, he also functioned faithfully as the District YPWW President and as District Evangelist. He later was appointed by the late Bishop G. E. Vaughn and served with distinction as President of the Evangelistic Youth Outreach of Western Pennsylvania which was the largest and most effective youth organization in Pennsylvania. 

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Upon the passing of his father, he was appointed Pastor and he has served with consistency and vision for twenty-five years. Under his leadership Gate of Heaven Church has implemented many programs to further the Kingdom of God, the Western Pennsylvania Jurisdiction and his community. To name a few, he established Building and Land Acquisition, Men-to-Men Mentoring Program, Computer Training Programs, Women-to-Women Mentoring Program, Community Food Bank, Addiction Recovery Ministries Support Group (ARMS), Three-by-Three Basketball Tournament, Health Ministry, CPR and First Aid including (AED) training, Assisted Living Visitation, Evangelistic Youth Outreach, Jurisdictional Evangelism Department, Five COGIC Urban Initiatives Programs (Education, Economic Development, Crime Prevention and Reduction, Family Enhancement and Financial Literacy). 

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In 2010, Bishop James Miles Foster appointed Bishop Bass as District Superintendent of the Mon Valley District. Bishop Foster later appointed him as an Administrative Assistant and Chief of Staff of Western Pennsylvania First Jurisdiction. He was also appointed as Jurisdictional President of COGIC Urban Initiatives, Chair of the Jurisdictional General Assembly, Chair of the Jurisdictional Planning Committee and Chair of the Special Committee to raise funds for the Bishop’s final expenses. He has also served on National Church Committees to bring light and relief to individuals impacted by poverty and homelessness. He has consistently been promoted because of his management and administrative skills. His leadership skills and his capability to get things done have opened many doors for promotion. Finally, he was approved and promoted to the high office of Bishop by Jurisdictional Bishop James Miles Foster. The General Board and General Assembly of the Church of God in Christ have approved and ratified his choice. 

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He currently serves his community as a member of the Nehemiah Project, which goal is to remove the blight in the City of Monessen and build the community for all people to have a decent place to live full and productive lives. He also serves as a member of the Monessen Redevelopment Authority and was the former Chairman of the Monessen Planning Commission. He is also past President of the Monessen Organization for Racial Equality (MORE). This organization brought much positive change for minority students and citizens of the City of Monessen. 

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Many lives have been touched by his dynamic ministry of love, hope and reconciliation. Inspirational community programs continue to be a light and safety net to the lost and downtrodden. His unwavering love for the Church of God in Christ and his strong stance in holiness and sanctification have enabled him to be a vessel used by God.