First Pentecostal Church of Philadelphia

In the early 1940s, a group of believers began meeting in their homes in Philadelphia, Mississippi. They welcomed various ministers who passed through the city.

In 1947, Rev. Elzie Hall, along with Claude and Audie Kirkland, who owned some land, built a block building so the people would have a place to worship, known as Stave Mill Church. Rev. Hall pastored until 1950 or about 1952. Afterward, the church elected Rev. W.R. Ford as pastor and Rev. E.L. Johnson as youth pastor. During this time, Bro. Ford began a radio ministry. Rev. R.L. Tolbert preached many times when there was no pastor.

Wallace and Ethel Wilson, along with Floyd and Mary Williamson, were among the first to receive the Holy Ghost at Stave Mill Church.

Rev. C.R. Cooksey, the presbyter of Section Seven, drove from Meridian for several months to preach to the congregation. In 1953, the church elected him pastor, and the assembly renamed the church First Pentecostal Church. He pastored until 1970 and continued the radio ministry started by Rev. Ford.

The assembly secured the current property from Monroe and Juanita Tolbert on March 8, 1955, and built a new church, which was dedicated on October 4, 1956. The building was a two-story structure with a fellowship hall, kitchen, and multiple Sunday School classrooms.

On March 30, 1956, the church purchased adjoining land and a wood-and-brick house from Buford Miller to use as a parsonage. Bro. Cooksey demolished the old brick house and built a new parsonage in 1958.

On July 30, 1963, Rev. C.R. Cooksey, Floyd Williamson, Alton Adcock, and Curtis Williamson signed documents to incorporate the First Pentecostal Church.

On November 1, 1970, the church elected Rev. Albert Reid Jr. and his wife, Lola, as pastor. Bro. Reid continued the radio ministry until 1985, when the church began sponsoring the Harvestime broadcast.

The church suffered a devastating fire on February 21, 1973. This tragedy hit the congregation hard, but soon afterward, the men began planning to rebuild. During this time, services were held at Grover Willis’s Lakeside Auditorium on Highway 19 North. The men of the church handled most of the construction, including plumbing and electrical work.

The fellowship hall was completed first, in July 1973, and the congregation began holding services back on the property. James Copeland was the first to receive the Holy Ghost in the new fellowship hall on July 28, 1973.

The first service in the new sanctuary was held on October 28, 1973. The new church included a fellowship hall, kitchen, Sunday School classrooms, and a pastor’s study.

Shortly after moving into the new building, the first Sunday School Outreach Department was formed, with Floyd Williamson Jr. appointed as director. Lavelle and Evelyn Crosby donated the first church van. Catherine Abel, Dorothy Barrier, and many others helped make this Bus Ministry a great success.

In August 1974, the church began a Deaf Ministry, with Peggy Wilson teaching sign language to several ladies. This ministry remained active until 1989.

In 1982, Bible Quizzing was started under the direction of Edward Kirkland and Glenda Ferguson. This ministry flourished under several leaders, and later, Rev. Tim Vowell served as State Director for several years.

In 2007, Rev. Albert Reid resigned after pastoring for 37 years. Rev. Tim Vowell was elected in July 2007 to serve the congregation as pastor, along with his wife Lyn and daughter Elauran.

In April 2020, the church began “Expansion 2020”, adding 2,200 square feet to the front of the church, an expanded foyer, front drive-thru, men’s and ladies’ restrooms, a quiet room, a security room, and a welcome center.

The church continues to anticipate tremendous growth as God reaches more people in the city of Philadelphia.