First Apostolic Church - Louisville

In 1947 and 1948, Brother L.W. Onstead and Brother Wes Busbee held a tent revival on South Church Street. Those tent revivals were a great success. The following summer, when that property was no longer available, a large tent was erected on South Church behind Brother J.W. Johnson’s service station. This revival ran from summer straight through the first week of October. Brother Johnson obtained a minnow trough for baptisms. With the tremendous success of the revival, people believed that it was time to establish a church.

Beginning in January, Brother Johnson secured the Community House for Sunday night services. Services there gave access to a piano, which Joyce Sheppard played. The congregation appointed trustees. Brother Johnson discovered that this present property was available and got a six-month option. Money was scarce, but pledges came in, and the church purchased the property for $1,000.

Next came the more significant hurdle-the building. The congregation raised funds and secured a $4,000 loan. Men of the assembly labored at night after working their regular jobs to build what was then Cox Street Pentecostal Church, which was ready for dedication in the fall of 1950, Brother Johnson being the first pastor. Those present recall it being a Spirit-filled service.

In July 1955, the church voted to build the education building, which was to have six Sunday School rooms, a pastor’s study, a fellowship hall with a kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bathroom for evangelists’ use during revivals. In September 1955, work began on the two-story building.

In October 1969, Brother Johnson felt the need to slow down and resigned as pastor. The church voted to have Brother Travis Reed as pastor. During his pastorate, the church was renamed First Apostolic Church. The platform was cut down and made into three levels. New red carpet and red cushions for the pews enhanced the sanctuary. After seven years, Brother Reed resigned in August 1976.

While the church was without a pastor, C.C. Coleman, an ordained elder, taught in some services, while other preachers would alternate coming for the weekends. On January 1, 1977, Brother Burlon Commer became the pastor. Under Brother Commer’s leadership, the members voted to remodel the church in the summer of 2010.

With Brother Commer experiencing severe health problems, the congregation asked Brother Glynn Barker to help out with preaching in June 2014. Brother Commer asked if he would remain until he felt the time was right for him to resign. At the time, Brother Barker was assisting Brother Randall Dunaway at New Zion United Pentecostal Church in Philadelphia. Brother Commer resigned in December 2014. An overwhelming majority voted in Brother Barker as pastor on January 11, 2015.

First Apostolic Church is presently experiencing great revival and growth under the leadership of Brother Barker. The members of the church hope to start construction on a new family life center very soon.