First Apostolic Church of Pelahatchie

The Harold O. Alford family moved to Pelahatchie, Mississippi, on August 29, 1962. They started having prayer meetings and services in their home on Heslip Street in the fall of 1962; then, friends began to urge them to start a church in Pelahatchie.

On February 16, 1963, the prayer meeting group met in the Alford’s living room and covenanted together to build a church for the glory of God in the town of Pelahatchie. Regular services and Sunday school were carried out in the Alford's home, where bedrooms served for Sunday school rooms and the living room as a Chapel. In these quarters, the Sunday school attendance reached sixty-three in number.

The church immediately began to look for property suitable for a church facility, and, though property for sale was scarce, the Lord soon directed Bro. Alford to a place about a block from his home. There was much remodeling, a tent revival, and a campaign that still continues was launched; a campaign to reach the lost for Jesus. In the fall of 1966, the slab was poured for the upper portion of the now existing church building.

In August 1968, the church voted to complete the church facility and to incorporate the church in 1970. The block shell, already under construction on the existing slab, was completed. In July 1971, the church was roofed and locked out. That fall, the little house that had served so well as a place of worship was sold. The formal dedication of the building was held on February 16, 1973. In 1978, the church bought the adjoining property.

On August 3, 1980, Rev. H.O. Alford resigned as pastor. On August 10, 1980, Rev. Sidney M. Alford (son of H.O. Alford) was unanimously elected as pastor of the First Apostolic Church of Pelahatchie, where he served faithfully until his resignation on April 1, 1982.

On May 15, 1982, Rev. Timothy Wallace was elected pastor. Rev. Wallace resigned as pastor on June 1, 1984. Rev. James Campbell was elected as pastor on June 30, 1985, and served until May 1995. Rev. Fred Parker was elected on May 16, 1995, and served until March 31, 2010.

Rev Jerry Hamilton was elected pastor on March 31, 2010. Under Bro. Hamilton’s leadership, the church has enlarged the fellowship hall to become the Alford Hall and recently enlarged the parking lot. God continues to bless the great church in Pelahatchie.