First Assembly of God Church donated to House of Mercy
The First Assembly of God Church in Olney has an extensive history. The former First Assembly of God Church building will be donated to the House of Mercy. “This is an opportunity to take an iconic building from Olney’s past and revive it in a Godly, spiritual, and family friendly way. That is what our goal is,” said executive director of the House of Mercy, Preston Crow.
“Opened in 1926, this building was the home of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In 1930, the church hosted the annual meeting of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,” said Pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Olney, David Carpenter. Carpenter stated that ninety-two representatives from all over the world met in the sanctuary of the church for one week. The sanctuary could seat up to 400 people with plenty of room for everyone involved. “The location of the church worked well for many years, but in 1961, the leaders of the congregation decided it was time to move. And so, on Easter Sunday of 1961, the church moved from its spot-on Main St to its current location at 210 S. Ave M. “The Main Street location provided many good memories for the members of the church”, David Carpenter added. I had a chance to speak with current members of the Assembly of God; with one member, Cora Anderson, being a member at the time of the purchase of the previous building, which was bought by the Assembly of God in the early 1960s (between 1960 and 1961).
Anderson stated that W.C Harding was the pastor of the church at that time. Anderson also mentioned one of her favorite previous pastors by the name of Roger Wall. Wall became the pastor of the Assembly of God Church in the late 70s until the early 80s in Olney. “At that time, we had a very good musical band and the church was really growing,” Anderson added. Wall decided to go back to school and then become a chaplain in the Army after leaving Olney.
Anderson also adds that the church had several memorable pastors through the years. Another member of the church who has been there since 1985 is Judy Rickett. She notes that Mike Allen was the pastor at that time, and Bill Myers was leading the singing while his wife was leading the organ for the church. “Brother Allen began the interest in making the gymnasium where we had all kinds of meetings, banquets, auctions and Brother Allen wanted to make that into a new sanctuary at that time,” Rickett added. Both members stated that they were thankful for the many memories the church and church building has given them over the years, with numerous events, revivals, and pastors. “This church has been the center point of my life since moving here in 1985,” Judy Rickett stated. David King has been a member of the Assembly of God church for over 30 years. “Everyone welcomed me from the second I walked in the building for the first time. Nobody judged me, and they just accepted me and my two boys. They were good to my kids; they were good to me, and everybody is very welcoming. It has always felt like a home. I felt like I was adopted by this church and always look forward to the great teaching,”.
Each member believes that the Assembly of God church is family--with prayer for one another being at the forefront. “It was always a place to find comfort when you were discouraged or having problems, and a place to find God. Very loving church,” Cora Anderson said. The First Assembly of God meets on Sunday morning, Sunday Night and Wednesday night at p.m.—currently social distancing. Sunday school begins at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. for Sunday morning church, and 6 p.m. for Sunday night church. The First Assembly of God meets in the white building that is directly behind the former Assembly of God building.