Natchez FPC

The Pentecostal Church in Natchez had its beginning in the late 1940s. In the summer of 1947, a tent revival was conducted on Canal Street by Brother and Sister Lucius Ladner and Brother and Sister T.J. Mahoney. No church building was constructed at that time. Prayer meetings and church services were held periodically in the homes of the saints. These meetings were often conducted by various ministers, including Brothers Eugene Strange, Wiley Holland, and Victor Staples. The local Church of God congregation had built a new sanctuary. Brother Jack Lupo approached them about using their old building for services. It was agreed to and in the spring of 1950, the Natchez Church of the Lord Jesus Christ moved into the building in the 100 block of Main Street.

In April 1950, Brother B.F. Mooney began helping the church on a part-time basis. In September of that year, he moved to Natchez as full-time Pastor. On February 17, 1951, Brother Mooney resigned, and Brother Bob Smith was elected Pastor. On March 19, new property was purchased at 1019 North Pine. In June the church affiliated with the United Pentecostal Church and adopted the name "First United Pentecostal Church of Natchez."

Upon Brother Smith's resignation on June 2, 1952, Brother Albert Hester was elected Pastor. In November, Brother Hester asked Brother Cecil Harris to fill in for him while he recovered from an illness. Brother Hester resigned in February 1953, and Brother Harris became Pastor, serving until July 25.

Brother W.E. Fuller, who was living in Gilbertown, Alabama, consented to help the church for a while. For several months, the Fullers drove back and forth from Alabama. On October 11, 1953, Brother Fuller was elected Pastor. In 1963, a new church building was constructed at 160 Lower Woodville Road. It was dedicated on March 6, 1964.

During Brother Fuller's pastorate, several Assistants came to work with him. These were Brothers Donnie Cooper, Charles Triplett, T.J. Mahoney, and Charles Bourn.

Brother Charles and Sister Connie Triplett left the Assistant Pastorate of the Natchez church in March of 1969 to go to Rocky Mount, North Carolina as Christmas for Christ missionaries. In September 1971, Brother and Sister Triplett were called back to Natchez to again assist the Fullers. The following year, in August 1972, Brother Fuller retired after having served 19 years as Pastor. Brother Triplett was elected Pastor and Brother Fuller served as his Assistant until his death in December 1976.

In 1977, a seven-acre tract of land was purchased on Highway 61 North. Construction began in the summer of 1979. In December 1980, the Natchez church family moved into the temporary sanctuary. In December 1981, the beautiful 1000-seat auditorium was finished. A great week of dedication was held in January 1982. This is the present home of the First Pentecostal Church.

Brother Triplett had several assistants during his pastorate: Charles Rasberry, Darrell Collins, David Nichols, and Tim Mahoney. Charles Rasberry was pastor in 1974-1975. In June 1980, Brother Darrell Collins came to Natchez and remained as Assistant Pastor until April 1984. Brother David Nichols came as Youth Pastor in July 1983 and stayed in Natchez until June 1985.

In July 1985, Brother Tim Mahoney became Assistant Pastor, a position he held for almost eight months. On March 1, 1986 Brother Triplett passed from this life. On March 15, Brother Mahoney was elected Pastor and served until he resigned in 1996. In June 1996, Brother Mark Herrington was elected Pastor, and served until his resignation in 2002. Since January 2003, Brother Jim Johnson has served as pastor.