Church History
Pastor John Nelson and the children from the 1942 Vacation Bible School
Humble Beginnings
Excitement. Revival. Evangelists. Salvations. Healings. These are all words used tod escribe the spiritual happening near the beginning of the 20th century. The Lincoln church was a part of those early years in many ways.
Like most churches of its time, there were humble beginnings. It was Walter and Mabel Tabb, both preachers, who recognized the need for a church in the Lincoln area. They held evening prayer meetings in their home on 1503 Citizen Avenue (now Delavan Street) around 1930. Folks from the neighborhood would sit outside the home on the grass or pause on the sidewalk to hear Walter through the open windows. With the power of the Holy Spirit in evidence, Brother Tabb spoke often of never wishing to do anything to bring a bad name to the new group. One thing he felt was in this category was to be a holy roller, and he made sure to avoid that practice. Yet when God filled him with the Holy Spirit he became a holy roller himself!
Growth
The loose-knit group relocated to a home on Clinton Street the next year, then into a rented building on Chicago Street across from the Lincoln Depot. The Tabbs used this place as a mission and there were many people saved. By this time Mabel Tabb was taking a more active role in the church. She was a great prayer warrior; her son Bill remembers playing outside the home and hearing his mom praying for him and the work of God in Lincoln. Walter asked the newly-formed Illinois District for credentials but was refused because of his job as signalman for the railroad. At that early day, the Illinois District required credentialed ministers to devote full-time to the ministry. After others came to pastor the church, God used the Tabbs to start the Assemblies of God churches in Mason City and Atlanta, Illinois.
All that excitement fanned the flame for the local congregation. The church held summer revivals in Washington Park on Lincoln's west side.As the church grew it relocated to a large building on Logan Street near Pekin Street, formerly used by the Salvation Army. In just a few years time there was a solid group of Christian believers who regularly sought the face of God and witnessed His mighty hand. Two young women came straight from Bible College and pastored for a time. They were Marie Brown and Norma Schwalbe, the latter who is Richard Dortch's aunt. Following them was William J. Sawyers, a single young man also right out of Bible College. Lucille Linton, an Assemblies of God evangelist, held a tent revival during the summer of 1937. In December of that year, Bill and Lucille were married. After leaving Lincoln in 1938 they went on to hold revivals in Iowa and Wisconsin, then started the church in Harvey, Illinois.
Chautauqua
A brief history of Chautauqua is in order. The Chautauqua idea began in 1874 as a system of summer school and correspondence school education at Chautauqua Lake, New York. The term Chautauqua also refers to groups traveling around the nation for expanding the mind. Tent Chautauqua groups moved throughout the United States from 1903-1930, presenting lectures, concerts, and recitals within the bounds of a huge tent. This brought the outside world into the local community and enhanced the horizons of its citizens. However, with the arrival of radio and the county fair the Chautauqua movement declined and eventually passed from the scene.
Interested citizens in Lincoln created the first Chautauqua December 6, 1901 with tent Chautauquas held in 1902 and 1903. Because of the intense interest in the event they formed a permanent "Lincoln Chautauqua Association." Contractors built a large auditorium in early 1904 to hold the third Chautauqua in August. This building had the distinction of being the first of its type constructed in the nation and became a model for others. The structure was 160 feet in diameter and had a seating capacity for nearly 4,500 people. There were no outer walls hindering the view outdoors.
Illinois District Connection
It was this place the Illinois District came for four years to hold its Old-Fashioned Camp Meeting. During the 1930's the fledgling Illinois District and Lincoln church cooperated in several Councils and camp meetings. The Illinois District held the 13th (1935) and 14th (1936) District Councils in Lincoln at the Chautauqua Grounds in Brainard Park. The District Superintendent in both those years was Arthur Bell, with W.E. Wood as Secretary. The Council voted to begin the position of Assistant Superintendent in 1936 with H.E. Bowley the first to be elected.Combined with District Council in 1935, pastors and church members enjoyed the ministry of Dr. Charles S. Price for camp meeting, Rev. Finis J. Dake of Zion as the Bible teacher, and E.S.Williams for Council services. Dr. Price returned in 1936, while Jack Saunders and W.I. Evans were the main speakers for the camp meetings in 1937 and 1938 on the Lincoln grounds.
As in internationally known evangelist, Charles Price had wide experience in Chautauqua work around the country and readily preached in the Chautauqua-minded city of Lincoln, one of only three Chautauqua grounds in the United States that continued yearly. Dr. Price wrote of these meetings in the GoldenGrain, his monthly magazine. He wrote in August 1935, "One of the features of the camp was the falling of the power in the healing services. There were nights when the great platform was filled over and over again with men and women seeking the healing Christ. Shouts of victory were heard on every hand and side as Jesus of Nazareth was passing by."
The move of God continued and Dr. Price wrote in August 1936 that, "Showers of blessing have been falling and the Spirit of the Lord has permeated the entire Camp ground. The healing services have been particularly blessed of God and undoubtedly scores will go home shouting the victory because of the touch of His hand divine. On the Camp ground we have contacted quite a number who were healed from cancer, tumors, goiters, and paralysis. How our hearts rejoice when we see the permanence of the mighty work of God! It encourages us to keep on waging the battle against sin and sickness." Dr. Price also noted that 1935 was one of the hardest he had ever put in with months after month of services preaching twice a day. How exciting to see revival coming to our State again.
More Pastors
Elvis and Doris King came to Lincoln from the Mason City Assembly ofGod and brought the Lincoln church into affiliation with the Assembliesof God. The recognition letter from the General Council is dated January24, 1939. Roy Caldwell, an older preacher whose wife had died of cancer, followed with his son Marvin. He was a former Methodist minister filled with the Holy Spirit. His daughter Mary was married to John Nelson and the couple came to stay with Pastor Caldwell. John Nelson later became pastor for several years. Following him, Roy Caldwell came back alone for a second term as pastor, as Marvin graduated from High School.
After Pastor Caldwell was Ivan and Margaret Loy, the parents of evangelist Ronald Loy. Next came George and Nora Brace who were very musical with George playing the guitar, banjo, trumpet, piano, and accordion with both singing together. Then there was W.C. and Gladys Sumerall, W.C. a brother of Lester Sumerall.
The mid-50's, after nearly 20 years in the old school house, brought some much needed change to the facilities. Lennis and Jean Blackburn came to Lincoln from the Maryville Assembly of God in 1953 and led the youth of the state as D-CAP during that time. He left Lincoln for seven months to take the D-CAP position full-time, but returned to the Lincoln church. Between those two terms, evangelist Harold George came to the church with his wife.
First Building Project
When the Blackburns returned, their priority was to update the facilities. First on the list was the building of a new parsonage, which took just 2-1/2 months. The pastor's family now had a bathroom within the parsonage walls! Lennis was a builder and directed the work to the home, which the church dedicated November 3, 1956. A recreational building was next to provide a place for the young people and was dedicated July 29, 1957. Finally the school house was leveled and a new limestone church, designed by a Springfield architect, was built around the foundation walls. The sanctuary could seat nearly 200 and contained limed oak pews and pulpit furniture. It was dedicated November 4, 1957 with an excited congregation present.
Ministry Continues
After the Blackburn's left Lincoln, the church asked M.M. Brewer to come as pastor. He was followed by Earl and Helen Cornelison, then Jude and Marie Strickland. Roger and Mary Lou Boyd spent four years in Lincoln, as did Dennis and Sharon Rogers. Both these families continued on in ministry in the Illinois District after leaving Lincoln, the Boyd family in Havana and the Rogers family in Danville. Both were presbyters. Robert and Sharon Shackelford spent nearly three years, and Randall and Candi Collins succeeded them.
During the mid-seventies Sunday morning church attendance frequently reached 150, though other areas of church ministry were much lower. There was a reason for this. The church sanctuary could hold 175, while classroom and fellowship space were limited to a quarter of that. Dennis Rogers nudged the church in the direction of relocation and building, but it would not be the time.
It was Van and Diane Frownfelter who spent the most time in Lincoln up to this point, with over ten years of pastoring the church. They established a strong core of members in the church. After the Frownfelters left in early 1989, Dave and Marlene Weeks moved to Lincoln to take the church and a strong financial base was encouraged.
Relocation and Building
As the church entered 1992 it did so searching for a pastor. Though attendance lagged, there was a new optimism and desire to forge ahead among the membership. When the church asked David and Kathy Andreasen to be a part of the work of God in Lincoln, they were hoping to pursue a move from their present facilities to one that allowed more breathing room. Several buildings around town were checked out but there was nothing that fit the needs or pocketbook of the church.
It was the ministry of Church Construction Corps, under the direction of the Illinois District, that brought the possibility of building new and for reduced cost. The pastor brought this idea to the membership who approved moving forward. In the fall of 1994 the church purchased six acres of land in town and began planning the design of the building. Dennis Schuette, the architect on several District projects, worked with the church during 1995 to come up with the design. The building permit was granted by the city in the spring of 1996 and dirt work began that May.
Volunteers
Church Construction Corps assistance started in June with Tom Moore, CCC foreman, directing the building of the initial exterior structure. When that phase was completed, MAPS-RV workers arrived from all parts of the country to close in the roof and prepare for the winter months. Along side all these workers were people of the church who put in many more hours than all the others combined. By the end of 1996 the shingles were on, the windows and doors installed, and the building ready for winter work.
During the building process, a few services were held at the new church. People were excited to see the progress and rejoiced by writing scriptures on the wood-framed walls. This would remind them always that God's Word is surrounding them. It would be appropriate because it is a miracle to see the project underway, one that would not be possible but for all the volunteers who came to help build. Two RVers, with roots in Rockford, Illinois, returned each summer to work on whatever project was planned at the time.
The project continued slowly through several years of volunteer help until the move was made to the new facilities on June 13, 1999. Rev. Larry Griswold was the speaker on that momentous Sunday. Work continued on the sanctuary for the next few years and the move made on December 22, 2002 for the Christmas program. With the sanctuary pews and parking lot completed in 2003, a full week of dedication in November gave much reason to rejoice. For that we give all glory to God who has made it all possible.
The Vision Continues
The new church address is 1225 Nicholson Road. That number was chosen because it signifies the day we celebrate Christ's birth. It will always be a reminder that the church is to share the Good News of the new birth with the people of Lincoln and surrounding areas.
Missions giving has continued strong throughout the building project. Faith Assembly of God has always been a missions-minded church and was listed by the Assemblies of God as 25th in the top 100 churches in per capita giving during 1994. The church continues to see the need for taking the Gospel to foreign lands and into their own neighborhoods.
Many years have passed since those late night prayer meetings, but the spirit of the church remains the same: to be a lighthouse for Christ in Lincoln. As we continue in the 21st century may we seek the face of God for continued revival of God's people and salvation of the lost.
Listing of Pastors
Walter & Mabel Tabb, 1932- 1935
Marie Brown & Norma Schwalbe, 1935 - 1936
William J. Sawyers, 1936 - 1938
Elvis & Doris King, 1938 - 1939
Roy Caldwell (1st term), 1939 - 1940
John & Mary Nelson, 1940 - 1942
Roy Caldwell (2nd term), 1942 - 1944
Ivan & Margaret Loy, 1944 - 1945
George & Nora Brace, 1945 - 1949
W. C. & Gladys Sumerall, 1950 - 1953
Lennis & Jean Blackburn (1st term), Aug 1953 - Aug 1955
Harold & Mrs. George, Sep 1955 - Mar 1956
Lennis & Jean Blackburn (2nd term), Apr 1956 - Aug 1958
M. M. & Mrs. Brewer, Oct 1958 - April 1960
Earl & Helen Cornelison, Jun 1960 - Jun 1963
Jude G. & Marie Strickland, Aug 1963 - Aug 1968
Roger & Mary Lou Boyd, Oct 1968 - May 1972
Dennis & Sharon Rogers, Jul 1972 - May 1975
Robert & Sharon Shackelford, Jul 1975 - Apr 1977
Randall & Candi Collins, Jul 1977 - Jun 1978
Van & Diane Frownfelter, Aug 1978 - Jan 1989
Dave & Marlene Weeks, May 1989 - Oct 1991
David & Kathy Andreasen, Mar 1992 - Present
The small print at the end
This information was collected by Pastor David Andreasen from many sourcesand individuals. Since much of the events of those early years wasbased on the recollections of family of the original individuals, it isonly as accurate as those recollections. Should you have additional, orcorrected, information to add to this compilation please write withwhatever you have.
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