Apostolic Life UPC

In June of 1949, a 19-year-old Bible college student, Walter Meredith of Pentecostal Bible Institute (PBI) in Illinois, set out on a journey directed by the Lord. With simple faith, he drove until he felt led to stop. That place was East Tupelo, near a grove of cedar trees. There, the Lord spoke to him and instructed him to build a brush arbor.

Brother Meredith went to the nearest home, where Mr. Otis Brown lived, to inquire about using the land. The landowner, Elmer Houston, granted permission, and Brother Meredith began building the brush arbor. Using wood from the site, he constructed an altar, and nightly services were held. Within two weeks, the altar was filled.

As the school year resumed, O.C. Boyd, sectional presbyter, and C.D. Soper, president of PBI, recognized the potential of the growing work. They assumed oversight, establishing it as a PBI preaching point. Brother Fred Foster and Brother C.L. Holiday were appointed as co-pastors.

In January 1950, a small one-room block building with a dirt floor was constructed. The first service was held that same month, and Cedar Grove UPC was officially established. In 1952, Brother Fred Foster became the first elected pastor, serving until 1955.

In 1955, the church found itself without a pastor. At that time, Reverend R.P. Kloepper had moved to Tupelo to serve as president of the Tupelo Children’s Mansion (TCM). The church asked him to pastor Cedar Grove alongside his responsibilities at TCM, and he agreed.

Reverend Kloepper pastored from 1955 to 1970. During his tenure, a concrete floor replaced the original dirt floor, and the church experienced 15 years of steady growth and development. Under his leadership, Cedar Grove became known for its strong commitment to doctrine and holiness. During this time, Brother Jim Dotson, later a missionary to Chile, served as youth pastor.

In 1970, Reverend Kloepper left Tupelo to become president of Gateway College in St. Louis. Once again, the church was without a pastor. During this time, Brother Odis Brown was working in Arkansas on the Mississippi River Bridge. While there, he attended a church pastored by Brother Cecil Greenway and invited him to preach at Cedar Grove.

Following that visit, Brother Cecil Greenway was elected pastor in July 1970. The Greenway family put down deep roots in Tupelo, even building a home next to the church. Over the next 30 years, the church experienced remarkable growth. An education center was built, the church was bricked, a fellowship hall was added, and Cedar Grove Christian Academy was established.

Under Brother Greenway’s leadership, many ministers were developed. Among them were Brother Benny Dodson and Brother Rex Williams, both of whom went on to pastor churches in Virginia. Brother Billy Burleson, now a pastor in Fulton, Mississippi, was also a product of the church’s bus ministry during this era.

In 1996, the church completed a new 4,900-square-foot sanctuary and foyer, which remains in use today. Several individuals served faithfully during this time, including youth pastor Jim Drury. Brother Greenway also served for many years as a regional Harvest Time director. Reverend Robert Bear, often called “the walking Bible,” held numerous revivals at Cedar Grove and was known for engaging in discussions and debates with local churches during his visits.

Brother Greenway’s legacy extended into his family. Both of his daughters married and became pastors’ wives. Reverend David and Pam Hodge pastor in Savannah, Georgia, while Reverend Kenneth and Patty Childers pastor in Starkville, Mississippi.

On July 19, 2000, the church elected Pastor Danny Robbins. Over the past two decades, Cedar Grove has continued to grow, with facility renovations and the addition of a new Family Life Center. Under Pastor Robbins’ leadership, the church launched a preaching point that later became an autonomous daughter work—Life Point Pentecostal Church.

From its humble beginnings as a brush arbor built by a Bible college student, Cedar Grove has maintained a deep commitment to missions, both foreign and domestic. This vision is sustained through the sacrificial giving of its congregation. In recent years, the church has ranked among the top contributors to Christmas for Christ and Sheaves for Christ, reflecting its enduring passion to see the gospel reach the whole world through the whole church.

Now known as Apostolic Life UPC, they continue to grow and spread the Gospel in their community.