ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH |
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ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH |
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In the summer of 1928 P. T. Huffman and Rev. K. H. Lawson came to Flat River and pitched their tent near the Lutheran Church on Taylor Avenue and began a revival meeting. At the close of the meeting they organized the Assembly of God Church of Flat River with 37 members, who were: Kennett Lawson, Albert M. Elders, Raymond Radford, Preston Key, Arthur Aslinger, Fred Wampler, Andrew Bruce, Wm. Joe Hill, William F. Ellis, John W. Gowers, Charles Aslinger, Luther Bayless, Sidney Powell, John White, Charles Elders, F. J. Jenkins, Rudolph Smith, Mesdames Kennett Lawson, Albert M. Elders, Raymond Radford, Fred Wampler, John W. Gowers, Lucy Joiner, Grace Abernathy, Julia Rentfro, Stella Since, Virginia Kellerman, John White, Charles Elders, Rudolph Smith, Clovie Crites, Esther McCoy and Ollie Hassell and the Misses Stella Cochran, Wilma Smith, Loretta Crites and Juanita Close.
Services were first held in the old Radford Hall until in September, 1928, a lot was purchased from D. J. Frasier for $500 and the Tabernacle, which now houses the church, was begun.
After the first service Rev. K. H. Lawson was put in charge and from the time the lot was purchased until the Tabernacle was completed, the group held meetings in a tent, pitched on the property.
Rev. Lawson served as pastor for six and one-half years and was succeeded by Rev. T. B. Chronister, who held the pastorate until 1937. The present pastor is Rev. P. T. Huffman, who was the evangelist responsible for the organization of the church.
The first funeral held in the church was that of Mrs. White of Desloge in 1931. Rev. Floyd Heady of St. Louis officiated, assisted by Rev. Lawson.
The church conducts, in addition to its regular services, a Sunday School with about 125 regular youth attendances and provides 11 teachers for their education in Biblical studies. The Sunday School meets at 10 each Sunday morning and is followed by church at 11. Young people's meeting is held at 6:30 each Sunday evening and is followed at 7:30 by regular services.
The Dorcas Society, which is composed of about 30 women of the church, meets each Monday and Wednesday. Its work includes that of helping the church financially. It is divided into two groups, with Mrs. Ollie Hassell as president of the Flat River circle and Mrs. C. Mason as president of the Leadington circle.
Charter members of the church who still reside in Flat River, are: Mr. and Mrs. Albert M. Elders, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Radford, Arthur Aslinger, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wampler, Andrew Bruce, Mrs. Lucy Joiner, Miss Stella Cochran, Mrs. Grace Abernathy, Mrs. Julia Rentfro, Mrs. Stella Since, Luther Bayless, Mrs. John White, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Elders, F. J. Jenkins, Mrs. Esther McCoy, Miss Juanita Close and Mrs. Ollie Hassell.
In the 10 years of its existence the membership of the group has grown from the original 37 to nearly 250 -- a growth that averages about 80 percent each year.
As of 2003, services were no longer being held at the above Assembly of God Church building, located on Field Street in Park Hills (formerly known as Flat River), Missouri. The building is there, but it's abandoned and overgrown with vines.
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