[1] The Pentecostal Churches of Christ was founded and initially led by Bishop J. Delano Ellis,[2][3] and its national cathedral is in Cleveland, Ohio, United States while the seat of its primate is currently Memphis, Tennessee.

[4][5] Following a meeting on May 29, 1992, convened in Ohio by Bishop Ellis, several congregations affiliated together as the United Pentecostal Churches of Christ.

[6][7] The then newly formed United Pentecostal Churches of Christ recognized Bishop Ellis as their general overseer and president on August 22, 1992.

Bishop Ellis continued in this role with United Pentecostal Churches of Christ for twelve years until he resigned in June 2004.

[1] Additional essentials to its doctrine has been the adoption of an episcopal-presbyterial polity, governed by a house of bishops and board of overseers.