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Pentecostalism came to Matagorda County in 1908. The first Pentecostal message in Bay City was preached by Rev. George Brannon in a constructed tabernacle situated on Block 95 on Wharton Highway. The wind destroyed the building and the church was moved to the north side of town on or near the old homesite of Grandpa Fisher. Another tabernacle was constructed and used for some time before being abandoned in favor of cottage prayer meetings. In 1911 Rev. Joe Schuemack, Jr., a preacher and a rice farmer, came to Matagorda County. He conducted cottage prayer meetings and later held a meeting for three or four weeks on the west side of Caney Creek on the Sargent Road. The benches for the meeting were erected under some pecan trees. A number of persons were added to the faith. During the interim period between pastors, the Pentecostal congregation gathered in cottage prayer meetings for Bible study. In the fall of 1913, Rev. Dallas Hayes came to Matagorda County from Louisiana. He preached baptism in Jesus' name and the baptism of the Holy Ghost and holiness. He conducted church services from house-to-house at Wadsworth. Next, he held an open-air meeting under a brush arbor which was later moved to the school. It was reported approximately 20 people were baptized during this meeting. During those early days Rev. Harvey F. Shearer and his family lived in Bay City. Shearer conducted prayer meetings and revivals in this area. He also helped establish churches throughout Texas. In the spring of 1920, Rev. C. W Dowden moved to Wadsworth to strengthen the new converts and help establish the work. While attending a conference in Louisiana, Dowden invited Rev. Charlie W. Hayes of Livingston, Texas, to be his assistant. Hayes had an evangelistic team which consisted of his wife Jennie, Lena Morris, Florence Morris and Annie Hair. For two or three weeks, services were held in homes during the week and in the Wadsworth schoolhouse on weekends. At this time Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Orched (Orchard) secured a big tent. With the help of the people of Wadsworth, the Hayes Evangelistic Team traveled to Old Gulf and conducted a four-week tent revival, which resulted in the conversation of approximately 17 persons. After closing the revival, the Hayes Evangelistic Team returned to Wadsworth for another week of services. Later the team moved to the old Hunt farm on the west side of Caney Creek on the Sargent Road. The team lived in an old vacant house and held services under a pecan tree and baptized their converts in Caney Creek. This revival lasted six weeks with approximately 69 conversions. After these meetings, Rev. Dowden went back to Wadsworth. In the spring and summer of 1920, Dowden and Hayes conducted camp-meeting services under a tent on east Seventh Street in Bay City. Rev. Charles A. Smith was the evangelist, and approximately 250 persons were baptized. After the camp meeting, services were held in various homes in Bay City, one of which was the Harville home. Later services were conducted in the "Sons of Herman Hall." Early in 1921, Rev. Dowden rented a two-story house in the 1800 block of Ave F in Bay City. Services were held downstairs, and the Dowdens lived upstairs. These facilities became inadequate, and in 1924 a 20'x30' building in the 1700 block of Avenue F was procured. Dowden continued to serve as pastor until the spring of 1926 when Rev. R. C. Hall was elected, followed by Rev. Oliver F. Fauss on April 14, 1928. While Fauss labored in Bay City, the attendance at Sunday School averaged between 40 and 50. Rev. G. C. Stroud and Rev. R. L. Blankenship conducted revivals during that time. Fauss resigned April 7, 1929, and later became the assistant general superintendent and general superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church International. Rev. R. L. Blakenship was elected April 8, 1929. In 1937 the existing building was replaced by a new 30'x40' frame building, which was dedicated in April, 1938. Blankenship also served as the Texas State Superintendent of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ from 1930 to 1943. In 1945 the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ and the Pentecostal Church Incorporated merged, forming the United Pentecostal Church International. Blankenship then formed an organization known as the Apostolic Church, which convened in Bay City in May, 1946 and May, 1948. During Blankenship's pastorate the two lots adjacent to the church were purchased, and a three-bedroom frame parsonage was erected. Maude Blankenship died in April, 1950. After this Rev. Blankenship resigned as pastor, and the parsonage was given to him for a home. In November, 1950, Rev. C. M. Becton became pastor. The church was affiliated then with the United Pentecostal Church International. A new parsonage, a one-and-one-half-story frame house with asbestos siding, was constructed at 2005 Ducros. As the church continued to grow, the facilities on Avenue F became inadequate. Vernie Agnew purchased land at 700 Avenue I for a building site. In the spring of 1952 construction of the present sanctuary began, it was completed and dedicated in 1955. Becton served as pastor from 1950 - 1957. He later became the assistant general superintendent and is currently (1985) the general secretary-treasurer of the United Pentecostal Church International. In July, 1957, Rev. M. L. Cole became pastor, serving from 1957 to 1965. During that time, the present educational building was constructed. In May, 1965, Rev. R. E. Johnson became pastor, and he served from 1965 until May, 1970. During his pastorate, the present parsonage situated at 2901 Encino was purchased. Rev. James D. Coots was elected pastor in May, 1970, followed by Rev. H. D. Fleetwood in November, 1971. Fleetwood served until March, 1975, when he was elected youth president of the Texas District United Pentecostal Church International. On June 24, 1975, Rev. Marvin J. Moore was elected pastor. In 1977 the sanctuary was renovated as was the educational building in 1980. Moore inspired the church to become evangelistic oriented. Various new and exciting outreach programs have been instituted. Some of them are; home Bible study, prophecy update, advertisement, handbills, tract distribution, personal letters, personal evangelism, street meetings, jail ministry, hospital and nursing home services, Bible distribution and revival. The church now has an active Sunday School, outreach program, youth group, choir, special singing groups, ladies auxiliary, Bible quiz team and a junior Bible quiz team.
Historic Matagorda County, Volume I, pages 596 - 598 |
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