Our Founder

Rev. Talbert W. Swan, I, M.Ed.
Founder, Spring of Hope Church Of God In Christ

Reverend Talbert W. Swan, I is a third generation member of the Church Of God In Christ and follows in the steps of several generations of men and women in the Swan family serving in the ministry. A native of Belzoni, MS, Pastor Swan is the son of the late Deacon George Washington Swan and Missionary Sallie M. Swan. Rev. Swan first acknowledged and accepted his calling into the Gospel ministry in 1956 and was subsequently ordained in 1958 by the late Bishop H. B. Richardson, prelate of the Massachusetts Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.

Pastor Swan attended Westfield State College where he completed the academic requirements for teacher certification in vocational education. He earned a Master of Education from the University of Massachusetts and received academic credit for other coursework in the area of effective management and concentrated employment. Pastor Swan organized the St. James Church Of God In Christ in 1958 and later merged the church with the Upper Room Church Of God In Christ, where he served as pastor. He organized the Rehoboth Church Of God In Christ, Dorchester, MA in 1967.

While serving as a dedicated pastor, Rev. Swan served the Church Of God in Christ in several capacities on the Jurisdictional level. These include: President of the Youth Department for the Massachusetts First Jurisdiction and Chairman of the Program Committee for the Second Jurisdiction of Connecticutt. After the 1968 Consent Decree during what historians call the “dark days” of the National Church Of God In Christ, Pastor Swan became active with the Church Of God In Christ International, Inc. He was consecrated to the office of Bishop in 1972. From 1969 to 1979 he served as Assistant Pastor to Bishop I.L. Jefferson at the Little Zion Church Of God In Christ, Stamford, CT and the Holy Trinity Church Of God in Christ, Hartford, CT.

In 1980 Pastor Swan organized the Spring Of Hope Church Of God In Christ and has faithfully served that congregation for three decades He returned to active participation in both the Massachusetts Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction where he has served as Chairman of the United States Auxiliaries Conention, District Superintendent and Chairman of the Board of Ordination. he also served the National Church Of God In Christ as Chairman of the Judicial Review Committee for the General Council of Pastors and Elders, Chairman of the Resolutions Committee of the General Assembly, member of the Executive Committees of the General Council of Pastors and Elders and the General Assembly.

Pastor Swan currently serves as District Superintendent of the Greater Faith District, Chairman of the Board of Ordination and Administrative Assistant to Bishop Bryant Robinson, Jr,, prelate of the Greater Massachusetts Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. He servesthe National Church Of God In Christ as an elected member of the National Judiciary Board. In January 2009, the Solid Rock and Spring of Hope Churches merged and Pastor Swan’s nephew and son in the Gospel, Rev. Talbert W. Swan, II was installed as pastor on May 31, 2009. Because of the firm foundation build under the leadership of Pastor Swan, I, Spring of Hope is experiencing a period of numeric and spiritual growth. The church serves the community through vibrant worship services, prayer hours, youth, adult and senior services along with several other active ministries.

Pastor Swan has led a life of committment, dedication and integrity. He has served his community in many capacities, including: President of the NAACP; Chairman of agency boards and commissions and a member of the Board of Trustees of Baystate Medical Center. For his dedication he has received numerous awards and accolades. Pastor Swan enjoys tennis, reading and fellowship with God’s people. He has been married to Ora L. (Bailey) Swan for over six decades and is a proud father, grand father and great grandfather.