Bishop Hugh Edward Cawthon, Sr. was born February 8, 1936 in Hickman, Kentucky to Elder Reuben Charles Cawthon, Sr. and Mother Lillian Mae Washington Cawthon.
Bishop Hugh E. Cawthon received his formative education in the Carbondale, Illinois public school system. He attended Dwyer Business College in Indianapolis, Indiana, and received the Management Skills Certificate from Avco International Services Division of Indiana. He served in the United States Air Force beginning in 1954 and was honorably discharged in 1958.
In October of 1954 while serving in the military, Bishop Cawthon accepted Christ as his personal Savior under the leadership of Pastor J. M. Bailey in Mobile, Alabama. In November of that same year he was filled with the Holy Ghost. During this time he also met and married Zepher Lee Burke Cawthon, his wife of 47 years. To this union six children were born.
In 1967 Bishop Cawthon was called into the Gospel Ministry while living in Morganfield, Kentucky. He served for seven years at McGee Temple Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Elder Daniel McGee. He served as assistant pastor and as district Sunday school superintendent for six years.
Bishop Cawthon returned to Carbondale, Illinois and served as an associate minister at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ for one year. He soon moved his family to Indianapolis, Indiana where the Lord continued to develop his ministry. In Indianapolis, he served as a minister at Central Street Church of God in Christ under the pastorship of Elder G. Barlow. As the Lord continued to bless, Bishop Cawthon was ordained by the late Bishop O. Blakely. While serving at Central Street Church, Bishop Cawthon was elevated to the office of Assistant Pastor. After serving at Central Street Church for approximately three years, he was led by God to start a church. Bishop Cawthon was the founder and pastor of House of Prayer Church of God in Christ. The Lord blessed his ministry there for seven years. While residing in Indianapolis he also served as the District Young People Willing Workers president and the State Secretary of the Y.P.W.W. department.
In 1978, Bishop Hugh E. Cawthon accepted the position as pastor of Faith Temple Church of God in Christ and returned home to Carbondale, Illinois. Bishop Cawthon has served faithfully to his call. God has blessed him to serve in many capacities in the Southern Illinois Jurisdiction. He has served as the First Administrative Assistant to Bishop John I. Cobb for twelve years, State President of the Evangelist Department for sixteen years, District Superintendent of Greater Fellowship District for ten years, and Chairman of the Ordination Board and State Executive Board. In addition to serving locally and in the jurisdiction, Elder Cawthon has spread the good news of the Gospel throughout many areas of the United States.
During Bishop Cawthon’s twenty-four years at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ much has been accomplished. Under his leadership the ministry of Faith Temple has truly been blessed. Faith Temple Child Development Center has been a great help employing people throughout the community, as well as giving a positive message to children and parents alike. Other accomplishments include the Jackson County Nursing Home Ministry, ministering to the sick and afflicted and establishing a food and clothing bank. Faith Temple was completely renovated and a new sanctuary was built in 1991, all under the leadership of Bishop Hugh E. Cawthon. Bishop Cawthon has visions that are currently unfolding; building a new church dining hall and multipurpose building, expansion of Faith Temple Child Development Center and building Faith Temple Senior Citizens Home.
On July 24, 2003 Bishop Cawthon was consecrated to the Sacred Office of Bishop and officially installed as Jurisdictional Bishop of the Southern Illinois Jurisdiction by Bishop Gilbert E. Patterson, the Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ. Bishop Hugh E. Cawthon, Sr. is a man called, ordained and chosen by God. He has a God given vision and is on the move for the Lord.
