Bishop Dr. Richard G. Gatling, Sr 

"A church that is alive...Is not too far to drive"

Bishop Gatling is a Waterbury native and has lived in Thomaston, CT. for the past 36 years, with his wife of 43 years, Evangelist Dolores (Jones) Gatling. They are the proud parents of Richard (Speedy) Jr., Minister Alicia (Gatling) Sweat, Elder Dwain Gatling, and Evangelist Raenette (Gatling) Riddick; one son-in-law, Minister Stephen Riddick and one beautiful daughter-in-law, Aspiring Missionary Antoinette (Chapman) Gatling and twelve grand children.

Bishop Gatling served as an ordained Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, assistant organist, choir director and minister under the leadership of the late Senior Bishop Tony Clemon of the MT. Olive Church of God In Christ International, Inc., Waterbury, CT.

Bishop Gatling has served at the Jackson Memorial Church for 30 years. He took over the pastorship of Jackson Memorial in July 1981 at the death of the founding pastor, Bishop Allen M. Jackson, after serving under him for three years.

In 1984, he was appointed National Financial Secretary of the COGIC, Int'l. In August of 1987 Bishop Gatling was appointed to the office of Commissioner and in August of 1990 at the National Holy Convocation held in Greenville, N.C., he was consecrated to the Bishopric. On Sunday March 7, 1993, Bishop Gatling was installed to the Sacred office of State Bishop, presiding over the Central Connecticut Diocese (Jurisdiction) of the COGIC, INT'L..

Bishop has had the honor of being named in the Marquis Who's Who in Religion-1992-93.

On August 9, 1998 Bishop Gatling made history as one of the first four graduates of the Williams-Clemon-Davis Bible Institute, Orangeburg, South Carolina, receving his Bachelor's Degree in Theology. With relentless pursuit, on August 28, 1999, he received his Masters Degree. On August 4, 2004 at the National Holy Convocation in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Bishop Gatling received his Ph.D. and was also appointed to the office of Assistant Senior Bishop by Sr. Bishop Davis. Although it was a great accomplishment Bishop says his most cherished degree is his S.S.B.G. Degree.

Bishop Gatling was also the founder of Pastors Concerned For Youth (PCFY), a coalition of pastors from various churches who  joined together with the mission of ministering to the youth of today.  The ministry celebrateted its 10th year in 2004 and many young people have been blessed by that ministry.

This year, 2008, Bishop Gatling proudly and thankfully celebrates 34 years in ministry and 27 years as the pastor of the Jackson Memorial COGIC. (He also served 3 years assisting Bishop Jackson-giving him a total of 30years of ministering at Jackson Memorial).

1st Lady Evangelist Dolores Gatling is a native of Scotlandneck, North Carolina, coming to Waterbury in 1956. Saved at the age of fourteen under her pastor the late Elder Abraham Thomas, of New Haven CT., serving under the late Presiding Bishop C.H. Brewer, Sr. After a few years Pastor Thomas closed up and encouraged sister Dolores to join under Bishop Tony Clemon on " Long Hill" in Waterbury. It was at the MT. Olive COGIC that she received her training and grew in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Evangelist Gatling sang in the choir and served in many capacities, most notably as the church secretary for twenty years. She is a hightly anointed woman of God , whom God has made a real 'Prayer Warrior', and deals with her extensively in visions and dreams.

Our Children: Richard (Speedy) Gatling,Jr., Evangelist Raenette Riddick, Minister Stephen Riddick, Missionary Antoinette Gatling, Elder Dwain Gatling, Minister Alicia Sweat, and some of the Grands.

Naomi, Ariel, Joshua Amber, Markycia, Mark, Daniel, Evangeline