How it all started...
In the fall of 1926, a group of students from LIFE Bible College in Los Angeles conducted revival services in a tent on the corner of 8th and Main Street where the Cal West Real Estate Building is now located. Men and women from all walks of life were attracted to the meetings as a result of the mighty revival God poured out in those meetings. Some of the early publications in Foursquare described these early meetings.
Sister Aimee Semple McPherson helped to dedicate the Foursquare Gospel Tabernacle in Santa Paula, with Brother and Sister Lynd in 1927. This followed crowds being saved and being filled with the Holy Spirit. The first meeting place of the church was in a hall over the Citizens State Bank at the corner of Mill and Main Street. After a period of time, the services were relocated in a hall near the Santa Clara River.
Sister Aimee Semple McPherson helped to dedicate the Foursquare Gospel Tabernacle in Santa Paula, with Brother and Sister Lynd in 1927. This followed crowds being saved and being filled with the Holy Spirit. The first meeting place of the church was in a hall over the Citizens State Bank at the corner of Mill and Main Street. After a period of time, the services were relocated in a hall near the Santa Clara River.
The Foursquare Church of Santa Paula had started, with Rev. James Lynd as the first pastor. Prayer meetings were held at the homes of Arthur and Eva Morris and Ben and Mable Graves until a piece of property was secured on South Ojai Street and the Foursquare Tabernacle was built, now the Knights of Columbus building. The first baptismal service of the church was held at Swallows Nest in Sespe Creek near Fillmore, under the ministry of Rev. Lynd who remained with the church for two years.
Following one service, a lady who worked in a packing house in a neighboring city, returned with tears streaming down her cheeks. She asked for prayer that she might be saved. Kneeling in our front room, she accepted Jesus as her own personal Savior and went away, her face shining. A few days later, the neighbors came and asked for prayer. They knelt, prayed and were saved! The Spirit of the Lord fell on the community of Santa Paula and many went to the river to be baptized, as many as forty at a time!
Following one service, a lady who worked in a packing house in a neighboring city, returned with tears streaming down her cheeks. She asked for prayer that she might be saved. Kneeling in our front room, she accepted Jesus as her own personal Savior and went away, her face shining. A few days later, the neighbors came and asked for prayer. They knelt, prayed and were saved! The Spirit of the Lord fell on the community of Santa Paula and many went to the river to be baptized, as many as forty at a time!
Rev. Ethel Singleton followed as the second pastor, filling this position from 1928 to 1942. In 1928, the town of Santa Paula was devastated by the San Fransisquito Dam disaster. She wrote, “…The water came within a few blocks of the tabernacle, but it was untouched… The moment the danger had passed, we set about organizing our tabernacle with all its facilities into a Commissary where we were able to care for all our Foursquare families and hundreds of others besides. Supplies of food and clothing were rushed from Angelus Temple and were invaluable in enabling us to cope with the situation. God wonderfully aided us in effecting a smoothly running organization, so that it was not long before we were able to meet the needs of the crowds who were standing around helpless and begging for food…” (Sister Ethel Singleton, Pastor)
Over the years, we have had the privilege of hosting orchestras, traveling quartets, and dramatic presentations. We have also had the privilege of equipping and sending out a multitude of those who were called to serve the Lord in churches and in their own communities!
Over the years, we have had the privilege of hosting orchestras, traveling quartets, and dramatic presentations. We have also had the privilege of equipping and sending out a multitude of those who were called to serve the Lord in churches and in their own communities!
In 1950, we moved to our current location. While much has had to change according to building codes and repairs, the heart of this great church family has not changed! We still believe in the power of God to change each and every life He encounters! We still believe in the power and the baptism of the Holy Spirit to empower each and every believer to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We still believe that He heals and speaks to us today! And yes, we are still seeing miracles that happen when Jesus encounters His people because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! (Hebrews 13:8)
Implementing the vision...
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Where we are headed...
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vestibulum faucibus accumsan nulla, non faucibus velit convallis et. Nulla tempus placerat massa. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et.
