Founded in 1992
"Teaching the Value of Life and the Value of Learning"
Become a Partner Today
OUR STRATEGY
“It Takes a Whole Village to Raise a Child.” One Church One School utilizes the “P” principle of total involvement to provide human and fiscal resources to support a nurturing school-community environment for student development. Pastors and parishioners, principals and school personnel, parents, pupils, politicians, popular personalities, and philanthropists connect the village to the school and child.
AWARENESS
Church and school communities are informed about OCOS through conferences, workshop seminars, community breakfasts, literature, or media. “Buy-in” from leadership of faith-based and educational institutions.
Buy-in is defined as all constituencies coming to agreement or consensus on the common good of OCOS for their respective organization.
Primary faith-based and educational institution leadership may be defined as Pastor/Rabbi/Priest and School Principal or Director appointee. Additional leadership is the PTO/PTA, Local School Council, and Lay Officers of the faith-based institutions.
COORDINATORS
Both faith-based and educational institutions must have an identified Coordinator whom OCOS national or regional staff will train.
PARTNERSHIP FOCUS
The partnership must have a measurable, child-centered programmatic focus consistent with the OCOS mission. This focus is based on the school’s needs and the church’s resources. A planning team, led by the coordinators, can best achieve this.
OUR VISION
The vision of the One Church One School Community Partnership Program is that every school in America will partner with one or more neighboring churches to improve the academic achievement, social behavior, and personal development of our children and youth.
OUR MISSION
One Church One School brings together churches and schools in partnerships that teach our children to value life and learning. This national network of church/school partnerships also catalyzes to build bridges between other community-based organizations, social service agencies, business enterprises, and the schools.
HONORING THE FOUNDING LEGACY
"For more than thirty years, I had the privilege of serving as Director of One Church One School alongside its founder, Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr., witnessing firsthand its impact on students, schools, churches, families, and communities. From its earliest partnerships to district-wide implementation, OCOS mobilized churches and volunteers to meet the unique needs of students through tutoring, mentoring, attendance improvement, parental support, after-school and summer programs, and other student-centered initiatives. Its effectiveness helped grow OCOS into a national and international movement and earned recognition from the U.S. Department of Education in 2012 for excellence in supporting school improvement. Yet, OCOS’s greatest legacy is found in the students whose lives were strengthened and the communities brought together around their success. Today, I remain confident that OCOS is as relevant and necessary as ever, and its mission continues in the hands of a new generation of committed servant leaders." -Dr. Phedonia Jones Johnson, National Director Emerita
A STORY THAT COMES FULL CIRCLE
For Rev. Leon F. Parker, III, this moment is deeply personal. A native of Chicago’s Chatham community, Parker attended Ruggles Elementary — the very first OCOS partner school founded by Bishop Williamson and the members of Carter Temple CME Church. Now, the child once touched by the movement leads it into a new era.
“Our children are living in unprecedented times — facing violence, inequities, and immense pressure. That is why One Church One School is not optional; it is essential. Together, we can be the village that saves our children.”
— Rev. Leon F. Parker, III, President & CEO
WHY GIVE TO ONE CHURCH ONE SCHOOL?
Your gift changes lives.
For more than three decades, One Church One School (OCOS) has united congregations and classrooms across the nation—bridging faith, family, and education to ensure that every child is supported, inspired, and equipped to succeed.
When you give to OCOS, you’re not just donating—you’re investing in the next generation. Every dollar helps us:
Strengthen Schools – Provide tutoring, mentoring, and educational resources in under-resourced communities.
Empower Students – Fund scholarships, leadership development, and student achievement programs. To date, OCOS has awarded over $80,000 in scholarships to outstanding students who exemplify excellence in academics, character, and community service.
Equip Churches and Partners – Train faith leaders, educators, and volunteers to form lasting partnerships that nurture both academic and spiritual growth.
Expand the Movement – Establish new One Church One School partnerships nationwide, reaching more children and families each year.
Your contribution fuels a mission that began in one Chicago classroom and now impacts communities across America. Together, we can continue the vision of Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr., ensuring that every child is valued, every school is supported, and every church is engaged.
Give today—and be the reason a child believes they can succeed.
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Contributions may also be mailed to: PO Box 19075, Chicago, IL 60619
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Mrs. Kelli D. Williamson-Key – Secretary
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Ms. Shana Isom, CPA – Treasurer
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Rev. Peris J. Lester, I – Assistant Treasurer
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Rev. Leon F. Parker, III – President & CEO
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Rev. Jerry Protho – Vice President
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Ms. Adrienna Edwards – National Director
OCOS BOARD MEMBERS
Dr. Earl Bryant
Ms. Anne Dancy
Dr. Kwesi Kamau
Mr. Charles Barnes
Dr. Elnora Hamb
Rev. Dr. Joseph Gordon
Bishop Byron L. Smith, Sr.
Atty. Paul Williams
Rev. Dr. Paul Brown
Bishop Thomas L. Brown
Dr. Karen Freeman Wilson
Dr. Phedonia J. Johnson-Emeritus
Rev. Dr. Elder Carrell K Cargle, Sr.- Emeritus
OCOS ADVISORY COUNCIL
Dr. Myra Sampson
Dr. Leo Pinkett
Mrs. Faye Barnes
Rev. David Bryant
Bishop T. Garrott Benjamin
Rev. Dr. Karen Walker-McClure
BISHOP HENRY M. WILLIAMSON, SR.
Founder, One Church One School Community Partnership Program
52nd Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr. served as the 52nd Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church. He was elected on July 3, 2002, at the General Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, and first assigned as the Presiding Prelate of the Ninth Episcopal District. He later served as the Presiding Prelate of the Eighth Episcopal District (2010–2014) and the First Episcopal District (2014–2022). Bishop Williamson was honorably retired at the General Conference in 2022.
Bishop Williamson entered eternal rest on December 25, 2024, leaving a remarkable legacy of faith, leadership, and community impact.
Born in Arkansas and reared in Tennessee and Gary, Indiana, Bishop Williamson was called to the ministry in 1967 at Israel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Gary, Indiana. He was ordained Deacon in 1968 and Elder in 1969 by Bishop J. Claude Allen.
A graduate of the historic Roosevelt High School in Gary, Indiana, Bishop Williamson earned a B.A. in Sociology from Purdue University Calumet, and a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, with advanced work in Clinical Pastoral Education. He was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary in Monroe, Louisiana.
From 1969 to 2002, Bishop Williamson’s pastoral ministry spanned multiple congregations, including Westside CME (Gary, IN), New Hope CME (Evanston, IL), Pilgrim Temple CME (East St. Louis, IL), Phillips Temple CME (Indianapolis, IN), Central CME (Jacksonville, FL), and Carter Temple CME (Chicago, IL). During his 16-year pastorate at Carter Temple, the congregation grew to over 3,000 active members and more than 50 ministries.
Bishop Williamson was also deeply engaged in civic leadership. He served as National President of PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity) from 1991 to 1993, working closely with Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., and continued his service on the National Board of Rainbow/PUSH.
As the Founder and CEO of the One Church One School Community Partnership Program, Bishop Williamson created a nationwide movement linking churches and schools to help students “Value Life and Learning.” Under his leadership, more than 200 partnerships across the country provided tutoring, mentoring, parent engagement, scholarships, and empowerment programs. The CME Church formally adopted a resolution supporting One Church One School at its 1994 General Conference, ensuring its place as a lasting ministry of the denomination.
Bishop Williamson received numerous awards and honors, including Purdue University’s Outstanding Alumni Award, the Keeper of the Dream Award, the PUSH Dream Keepers Award, and the Black Expo Award for Community Leadership. He also held board appointments with Northern Trust Bank and the World Methodist Council of Churches.
Most proud of his family, Bishop Williamson was married to Mrs. Doris Yvonne Williamson, and together they raised two children, Henry Jr. and Kelli Daonne, and were blessed with beloved grandchildren.
Bishop Williamson was a visionary preacher, mentor, and advocate for civil and human rights—especially for children and youth. His life embodied his favorite scripture, Philippians 4:13:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Bishop Williamson’s legacy continues through One Church One School—uniting faith and education to transform communities and inspire generations.
The Williamson Family
GET IN TOUCH
One Church One School National Headquarters
7841 S. Wabash Avenue
Chicago, IL 60619
Phone: (773) 651-0071
