Ida B. Robinson facts for kids

Ida B. Robinson (born August 3, 1891 – died April 20, 1946) was an important American church leader. She was a key figure in the Holiness and Pentecostal Christian movements. Ida B. Robinson founded the Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc. She was also its first Senior Bishop and President. She started this church because she felt a special calling to create a place where women preachers would be welcomed and encouraged. The Mount Sinai Holy Church of America is unique because it was founded by an African-American woman and had female leaders consistently from 1924 until 2001.

Ida B. Robinson's Early Life and Calling

Ida Bell married Oliver Robinson in 1910. They did not have their own children, but they adopted a niece, who was also named Ida Bell. In 1917, Ida and Oliver moved from Florida to Philadelphia. They hoped to find better job opportunities there.

When she arrived in Philadelphia, Ida joined a small church. She sometimes filled in for the pastor when he was away. People loved her lively preaching style and her singing. The church quickly grew because of her. Later, she left that church and joined the United Holy Church of America. There, she was officially recognized as a minister. Bishop Henry L. Fisher publicly ordained her as a "Gospel Preacher."

Becoming a Pastor

In 1919, Ida Robinson became the pastor of a small church. She taught her congregation about "holiness." She believed that holiness was a gift from God and a way to connect with Him. Her church grew very fast. However, she started to feel that women in the United Holy Church had limited chances to lead.

Starting the Mount Sinai Holy Church

The year 1924 was a very important time for Ida Robinson. She often told people that God was speaking to her through visions and dreams. She believed God wanted her to start a new church. This church would "loose the women," meaning it would give women full rights to be clergy and lead.

While praying and fasting in her church for ten days, she said she received another message from God. She told members of her church, "The Holy Ghost spoke and said, 'Come out on Mount Sinai.'" After hearing this message, Bishop Robinson felt sure about what God wanted her to do.

A New Church is Born

On May 20, 1924, the state of Pennsylvania officially approved her new organization. Remembering the message she felt from God, the new church was named the Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Incorporated. When it started, the church had nine leaders. Six of these nine leaders were women.

The Mount Sinai church grew quickly. It spread across the eastern United States. In 1925, Elder Robinson was made a bishop at the church's first big meeting, called a Holy Convocation. Her leaving the United Holy Church was peaceful. Leaders from her old church even attended the first Holy Convocation of Mount Sinai. They continued to be friends with the organization during her leadership and after.

Ida B. Robinson's Final Years

On April 6, 1946, Ida Robinson traveled from Philadelphia to visit some of her churches in Florida. She went with a group of missionaries. Her first stop in Florida was Jacksonville. From there, she traveled to Winter Haven.

When she arrived in Winter Haven, Florida, she became very ill. Bishop Ida Robinson passed away on April 20, 1946. At the time of her death, her church had grown a lot. It included 84 churches and more than 160 ordained ministers. Out of these ministers, 125 were women. The church also had an accredited school in Philadelphia. They did mission work in Cuba and Guyana. They even owned a farm in South Jersey, which was a safe place for church members to visit away from the city.