In the early 1900’s, Rev. William Edwards and his family came from Dallas to Wylie, Texas, to start a church. The meetings were held in downtown Wylie. The north end of the building was the church area, and the pastor and his family lived in the back of the building. This was during the depression, so most of the support for the pastor was given in fresh milk, eggs and vegetables from the congregation’s gardens because very little money was available. Sister Edwards was really up town with an ice box made from a “tin can.” She would put her food in the bottom of the can and put a block of ice on top of it. This would keep the food fresh and cold.
The church had 20 to 25 people in regular attendance. It did not have an official name, so they were just called “That Pentecostal Bunch.” The next move for the congregation was to the present location at the corner of College and Birmingham Streets. A tent was put up for the church services. Kerosene lanterns were hung on the tent posts and used for light. The congregation had wood heaters to keep them warm in the winter, and paper fans (compliments of local businesses and the funeral homes) to keep them cool in the hot summer. The church did have an old piano, but most of the time there was no one who knew how to play it. All of the singing was done fro memory because they did not have any songbooks.
On October 1, 1938, Rev. Fred Eiting, Presbyter of the Dallas Section of the Assemblies of God organization, presided over the business meeting to discuss this group of people becoming affiliated with the Assemblies of God organization. A unanimous standing vote was made and First Assembly of God Church in Wylie, Texas, became a reality. Bro. Edwards was elected to continue as pastor by a large majority vote. J.D. Agnew, R.J. Titsworth and Albert Turner were elected to serve as trustees of the church property. Bro. Agnew was elected Secretary/Treasurer and W.R. Estes was elected Sunday School Superintendent. Bro. R.M. Algedge and Bro. Bill Andrews spoke words to encourage the new congregation from Hebrews 13:18-24. On January 17, 1939, the application for affiliation with the General Council of the Assemblies of God was received from Springfield, Missouri. The papers indicated the church had 28 members and the average attendance for Sunday School was 70. However, the Sunday night services had approximately 85 people. With the new property purchased and paid for, it was decided to begin preparing for a new church building.
In Sept. 1939, the church accepted the resignation of Bro. Edwards. The next pastors were Rev. Curtiss Corleen and Rev. G.B. McDowell. They began a revival that lasted six months with the pastors preaching, as well as preachers from the surrounding communities. Men would come to church directly from the fields wearing their overalls. The power of God fell each night. The people often stayed late; yet, they were refreshed and returned every night ready for worship. While the church members worshipped God under the tent, the town’s people would park their cars up and down the streets and sit in, or on top of them to watch and listen to the services wondering what would happen next. On Sundays, the ladies would rise early to prepare their noon meal, knowing it might be late when they arrived home to eat because services often lasted until 2:00 pm. The old-fashioned “dinner on the ground” was remembered fondly. Each family brought food and the ladies out-did themselves preparing their best recipes. Boards were placed across the backs of some of the church pews to be used as tables and put under the shade trees. They had singing and eating; preaching and eating; foot washings and eating; and a lot of good Christian fellowship.
The next pastor of this congregation was Bro. Humes and it was rumored that he received a dime in the offering on one occasion. The first church building was started when Bro. Scales was the pastor. It was built by the men of the church as time and material was available. Every time they could afford a few pieces of lumber, it was bought and they would nail it up. The Frederick family donated much of the lumber from their personal property. The new church had slatted pews (the kind a child’s leg could get caught in), sawdust floors, wood stoves, and two outhouses with a good supply of Sears catalogs!
While Rev. McMullin was pastor, he decided to destroy all the church records and everyone that wanted to become new members could do so at that time. A lot of confusion and hurt feelings developed regarding this decision. Some people started going to other area churches; however, others remained faithful to the church, although they did not re-join. The congregation’s numbers did diminish greatly during this period.
The next pastor of the church was Rev. Gay, but he only stayed for a short time. Rev. R.D. Nance and his family followed this pastor, and was elected to the church by seven votes in June 1945. There were approximately 20 people attending services at this time. Their son, Richard, was about six years old when Bro. And Sis. Nance lived in the back portion of the church that only had three rooms for living purposes. Bro. Wilson, pastor of the First Assembly of God Church in Garland, held the first revival for this new pastor. During the fall of 1948, the first church parsonage was built. It was a small, two-bedroom frame home built beside the church. After living in three rooms, this seemed huge and was very much appreciated by this family. Bro. Nance resigned in April 1950. At this time, the church had grown to an average of 160 in Sunday School. Rev. Brooks pastured from 1950 to 1952. Bro. Nance and his family returned to pasturing the church again in July of 1952, and the attendance was down to 100 people. This became a long and successful ministry for this man of God.
In the spring of 1953, the present church building was under construction. The women in the church played a role in raising funds for the new building. They cooked big pots of stew and sold it to the local factory workers for 50 cents a pint. It was the best bargain around! To help with the church expenses, they also sold cakes and pies. A lot of love and hard work went into this project to make it successful. The church began to grow in attendance and to prosper financially. As the church increased, activities for the young people were started. They had C.A.’s, Missionettes and Royal Rangers. Vacation Bible School was held during the summer with children attending from the surrounding areas. The church parsonage was eventually sold and moved to another location to make room for remodeling the church. The new annex building included a pastor’s study, kitchen, fellowship hall, and a bedroom with a bath to be used by visiting evangelists. Another home was purchased in Wylie for the parsonage and this was used until Bro. and Sis. Nance built their own home. The decision was then made to use the parsonage as rental property with the money going back into the church funds. In 1978, another major remodeling was done to the church sanctuary: new furniture, carpet, lighting, a fresh coat of paint, new windows, a nursery, new restrooms, and a new building front was added by the men of the church. The best part of the work nights was when the women would bring freezers of homemade ice cream and cake. That always seemed to encourage the workers to work harder or at least to show up each night for fun and fellowship!
A pastor ministering at the same church for over 35 years makes it hard to cover all the events that took place. Bro. Nance was there to see children born, watch them grow up and get married, have children of their own, and even perform marriage ceremonies for those children. The teaching and preaching of the Word of God was consistently set before the people. In October of 1982, Bro. Nance resigned, leaving the church with a lot of good memories and a host of friends.
Rev. and Mrs. Jim Laudell and their son, Brandon, worked with Bro. Nance as Assistant Pastor, and were voted in upon Bro. Nance’s retirement. This transition was made smoothly since this family had already been working the church. During the Laudells’ time of pastorate, Melanie was born. In 1985, the church went through another remodeling experience. The platform was redesigned and enlarged, new Sunday School rooms were added, and the fellowship had had a major renovation. During this time, two couples planned their weddings just one week apart in July, even though the project was still in progress. Bro. Laudell and the men were feverishly putting in the last of the nails and the pastor was also giving marriage counseling to the engaged couples. The fellowship hall and platform were completed just a matter of days before the first wedding on the 20th, and some of the finishing touches were completed the night before the wedding.
Bro. Laudell presented the need and desire for the church to operate a Christian School in the early part of 1985. The church members voted and the school was started that same year, and is still in operation today as Sonlight Christian Academy. Bro. Laudell served as the school’s first administrator. The first teachers in the school were LaDonna Adams Trawick, Jackie Simerock, Casandra Monaghen Christopher, and Dede Nielson. Under Bro. Laudell’s administration, Bro. Mark Mayo and Bro. Gary Miller served as principals. In 1998, three of the original kindergartners, Amanda Hensley, Steve Nielson and Lori Sims graduated after going through every grade of the church school.
Bro. and Sis. Nance kept a great relationship with Bro. and Sis. Laudell, and the church family. Bro. R.D. Nance went to be with the Lord on November 13, 1988. Their ministry still influences not only those who sat under them, but the people who hear testimonies from the fruit of their labor.
In April 1989, after serving as pastor for seven years, Bro. Laudell resigned to go on the evangelistic field. A search was made immediately to find a new pastor. In May, Rev. James Brown was elected the new pastor, and his family moved into the parsonage in June. Bro. Les Schatzley served as principal of the school under this pastor. Bro. Brown resigned the church of June of 1991.
In July 1991, God sent Rev. Jerry North and his family to pastor the church. Bro. and Sis. North, Angela, Heather and Abby Gail moved from Mississippi to Wylie. Under the leadership of Bro. North, the church has seen new families brought into the congregation. There has been a steady growth in Royal Rangers, Missionettes, Children’s Church, and the Sonlight Christian Academy. Pastor North has remodeled and updated the school facilities, including an education annex building. The church also purchased two adjacent properties in order to house school staff and prepare for future growth. The church nursery, restrooms and foyer have also been remodeled.
As the men who went before him, Pastor North is resolute to continue the heritage of First Assembly of God, to remain steadfast for historic Pentecost, and to lift up the Blood-Stained Banner.
As we prepare for the future and with the Lord’s help, we will have some of our young people to carry on the history and making of new memories for years to come!
