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| First Assembly: A Brief History | |
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| First Assembly: A Brief History | |
The congregation which now constitutes First Assembly of God in Jefferson City began as a small group of believers around the year 1924 under the Pentecostal ministry of Rev. Heady. Services were held on West Main Street just west of the Capitol building.
A few months later, Rev. Watt Walker, another independent Pentecostal minister, set up a large meeting tent on the corner of Miller and Jefferson Streets, where meetings were held throughout the summer of 1924.
During that summer of meetings, Evangelist Parish conducted a one-week revival, which furthered the growth of the congregation.
In the fall of the year, a building was erected on the south side of Dunklin Street between Madison and Jefferson Streets. Shortly afterward, the congregation moved to 607 West Dunklin Street, which is now a part of Missouri Boulevard. They then moved into a two-story building on Missouri Boulevard which for many years was the home of Voss Market and more recently a golf supply store. It was while meeting in this building that the congregation was first brought into affiliation with the General Council of the Assemblies of God. The church was set in order as an Assemblies of God church on February 25, 1933. Brother J. T. Smalling was elected as the church’s first pastor and served until 1934. |
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The church then held meetings on the third floor of the Merchant Bank building at the corner of High and Jefferson Streets for a few months, and then moved to 113 East Dunklin on the north side of the street in the old theater building. Rev. E. F. Sanders was elected pastor in 1934 and stayed until 1936. |
In 1936, Rev. P. T. Huffman was elected as pastor, and the Assembly moved to the corner of Broadway and Atchison Streets. Brother Huffman pastored for approximately nine months.
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Rev. Fred Hembree was elected as pastor, and stayed for a few months. Rev. Phillips was elected as pastor, and stayed for a few months. Rev. E. F. Sanders returned in 1937 as pastor. He erected a new building at 411 West Ashley Street, where the congregation worshipped until his death in 1954. |
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| Rev. and Mrs. E. F. Sanders |
Rev. Raymond C. Wetzel assumed pastoral duties in March of 1954. He planned and built the church building at 900 Jefferson Street, which now is the home of the Salvation Army. He served as pastor until June 5, 1955. |
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Rev. and Mrs. Raymond C. Wetzel |
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Rev. Ralph Roberts was elected pastor in July of 1955 and served through July of 1958. |
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Rev. and Mrs. Ralph Roberts |
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