Pastor George Patterson, Jr. was born to Inez Banks and the late George Patterson, Sr. on October 27, 1945. He went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 15, 2019 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Lake Forest, IL.
Pastor George Patterson, Jr. had a stellar career in the military. He fought in the Vietnam War. While fighting in Vietnam, he carried out reconnaissance missions and was quickly recognized as a skilled fighter for his acts of heroism on several high-risk missions. Because of his courage on the battlefield, he was decorated with several awards including; the Brown Star Medal (awarded only to distinguished soldiers who display outstanding services in connection with Military Operations against hostile forces) The National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal (awarded to soldiers who display heroism.) He was also recognized for his outstanding service in battle and was given the Vietnam Service Medal for his willingness to support ground military operations in the Republic of Vietnam.
On February 6, 1974 he married the love of his life, Sister Lorraine Patterson and to this union two children were born (Alkefe Patterson) and (Gloria Patterson-Terry).
In 1977 he joined Greater Saint James Temple C.O.G.I.C and served in the Youth and Jail Ministry. He was the first minister to be ordained in the Jail Ministry and remained under the tender care and leadership of the Late Bishop James W Markham and Superintendent Torrance Markham.
While laboring in love, the Lord began to speak to his spirit, and he called him into Ministry. He was led to read Acts Chapter 3 verse 2 and was guided by the spirit to start his own Ministry and call the temple Beautiful Gate. Obeying the call of the Lord, Pastor George Patterson left his home at Greater Saint James Temple C.O.G.I.C and founded Beautiful Gate Temple COGIC.
Through the years, God favored Pastor George Patterson. He was a man after God’s own heart with a true passion for God’s people. When he fought in the Army he fought by might, and he is now given the greatest honor of all, to fight in the army of the Lord.
In the year of 1983, the Lord gave Pastor Patterson the name to call his mission. Beautiful Gate.
In 1992, Pastor Patterson established - Beautiful Gate Temple. Soon after, Beautiful Gate Temple held their first church service on July 18, 1992 at 835 Grand Ave, located in Waukegan, Illinois
The church consisted of one piano that was given to Elder Patterson, eight folding chairs, and three adults. Elder George Patterson, Sister Lorraine Patterson and Mother Annie Mae Johnson. There were seven children that attended the ministry, six of them wre related to Sister Patterson.
At our first church servuce, several relatives of Sister Patterson came to show their support. Among them were Mother Marier Domino, The late Mother Joyce Mitchell, the late Sister Ann Duncan, Correta Elkridge, Felecia Irvin, Nicollet Irvin, and DeShaver.
The second service help, the Lord sent the Alexanders, the first family to join Beautiful Gate Temple. Gradually the Lord began to add souls to the church.
In 1995, Beautiful Gate moved to a bigger place, 808 Belvidere St. in Waukegan, Illinois. In 1997, Beautiful Gate moved to 3245 Gilead in Zion, Illinois. In the year of 2003, the Lord blessed our church family to purchase the building that we are presently in today.
We the family of Beasutiful Gate thank the Lord for the vision he has given to our pastor, and that he may continue to lead us in the ways of our Lord.