Founding Pastor Superintendent James Purdom Jr

Pastor James R. Purdom Jr. was born on April 22, 1942 in Texarkana, Texas the only child born to the union of James R. Purdom Sr. and Evelyn McCarty Purdom.


When He was 6 months old, the family moved to California. He gave his life to Christ at an early age, serving as a junior deacon, choir member and devotion leader. His favorite song was A Charge to Keep I Have.


He is a product of the LA City School system, a graduate of San Fernando High School. He was an avid sportsman, running track and playing basketball. “Jimmy” or “Big Jim”, affectionately known to family and close friends, was a gentle giant.


He attended LA Valley College, Pierce College and completed advanced studies at Faith Bible College in Whittier, CA as well as Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. He held a BS degree in Real Estate Management.


Pastor James Purdom. recommitted his life to Christ in July 1974 at the First AME Church in Los Angeles, CA. He later became a member of First United Methodist Church of Pacoima from 1975 to 1985, where he served as Treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent, Trustee Board Member, Bible Teacher, Real Estate Developer, led the Prison Ministries and learned the administrative mechanics of church operation.


After finally meeting the young lady to whom his sister was trying to introduce him, Jim knew that this was the woman that he had prayed for. In 1976, he married his “Almond Joy”, Hazel Catherine Carter.


In 1985 Pastor James Purdom. joined Christ Memorial COGIC in Pacoima, CA and was blessed to have personally served under the tutelage of the late, Bishop Benjamin J. Crouch. Little did he know that he was being prepared for a great work. During his tenure there, he served as Associate Elder, Men’s Department Head, Trustee Board Member, Building Development Committee Member, confidante to Bishop Crouch, Juvenile Hall Prison Ministries and was elevated to Chaplain of the LA County’s
Probation Department Sylmar Juvenile Hall. There he gained his pastoral, ecumenical and spiritual training, which assisted him in leading his own flock. He was an anointed shepherd, a dedicated servant and a man of faith and commitment to the Word and work of God.


Pastor James R. Purdom founded and organized the Rock of The Valley Church Of God in Christ. His vision was to reach the loss and provide a church in a community that he considered being un- churched. Established in 1995, the church beginnings were in the Mission Hills Inn. Under the leadership of Pastor Purdom, this congregation has become one of the fastest-growing churches in the San Fernando Valley.


The Jurisdictional Prelate appointed Elder Purdom in 1998 as Treasurer of the Metropolitan Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Southern, California and he had revolutionized the entire jurisdictional treasury. He was an active member of the International Usher Board and served at all the COGIC International meetings.

Because of his leadership abilities and spiritually, Pastor James Purdom was appointed as District Superintendent of the Greater Love District. He was handpicked by Superintendent L. David Herron, who was elevated to Emeritus status, and who stated, “I am elated to pass the baton to Pastor Purdom, who I know will take the District to higher heights”.


Superintendent James Purdom, Jr. worked in the grocery business for many years. He later realized his dream of being a Realtor in the Los Angeles area, which utilized his gift of helps in the real estate industry as a Senior Loan officer for “The Mortgage House” in Woodland Hills, CA.

Superintendent James Purdom Jr. entered into Glory on November 3, 2010. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved and cherished him.

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Pastor H. Catherine Purdom believes that her steps were ordered by our Lord to teach His word.  The eldest girl of twelve children in a family of sharecroppers, Pastor Purdom was blessed to attend college on a full academic scholarship at the age of 16.  She entered into Winston Salem State Teachers college, a historically black university, under the separate but equal era of our nation.  In her third year, she was introduced to the field of nursing. Pastor Purdom graduated from her class with honors, equipped for a career as a Registered Nurse as well as a teacher. 

From North Carolina, she relocated to Southern California and worked in a myriad of hospital and health care settings.  And she received her Master’s degree from Cal State Los Angeles.  Pastor Purdom was then given the opportunity to utilize her teaching ability as a nursing instructor and Dean of Allied Health Care at College of the Canyons, Valencia California.

Evangelist Catherine Purdom was the wife of the founding pastor, Superintendent James R. Purdom, Jr, of Rock of the Valley Church of God in Christ, whom she met and married in a Methodist Church.  For many years and before the thought entered to found Rock of the Valley COGIC, Evangelist and Elder Purdom hosted a weekly bible study in their home, which Evangelist Purdom lead. There was a consistent assemblage of believers that increased greatly in number.  However, a greater call in the spirit was beckoning to the fullness of God’s power. 

After transferring their membership to Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ, Bishop Benjamin J. Crouch recognized the gift of teaching within Pastor Purdom almost immediately.  Her gifts and talents were utilized for several years as the New Members/Converts class teacher as well as the mid-week Bible Study teacher. Shortly thereafter Bishop Crouch ordained her as an evangelist in the Church of God in Christ.

Evangelist H Catherine Purdom served as a delegate for the 4th Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of So. California for more than a decade, where she gained a wealth of knowledge and an absolute love for the Church of God in Christ.  Soon after the home-going of her husband. November 3, 2010, Evangelist Catherine Purdom was ordained as Pastor of Rock of the Valley Church of God in Christ. Pastor H. Catherine Purdom is the mother of three children and a loving grandmother.

On September 30, 2019, Pastor Purdom went home to be with the Lord. Her legacy of unconditional love, unrelenting patience, profound endurance, and godly wisdom will live on in the memory and hearts of those who loved and knew her.