Church History

Origin 1920 & the Fight to Survive In the late 1920's, Pentecost came to Porter. It isn't known who was the first to preach the message to this small town, but on October 24, 1931, Bro. O.F. Fauss and family came and established the first Pentecostal Church in Porter. The building was located on the east side of the railroad tracks where the Porter Elementary School is currently. Bro. Fauss preached from October 24, 1931 until July 6, 1933. Later, a church was built on the west side of the highway. After several pastors, the church split. The few that stood for Truth had to move into a makeshift building. Many prayers were made and many tears were shed. In the late 30's, the church bought the current property. It was nothing more than a deep hole which had to be filled in with truck loads of dirt. A small old wooden building was hauled in on a log truck. Sis. Marie (Needham) McSpadon and her family were very instrumental in establishing the building in which to hold the church services. The saints were few in number and several pastors came and left. As the church was not self-supporting, it was difficult for pastors to stay. The few saints that were there kept the doors open on service nights and Sunday mornings. At one time there was only one man in the church and he played the only musical instrument, a guitar. This group of saints was not to let the devil defeat them. They continually prayed for God to send more people and for a good pastor. New Brick Church Built 1969 In 1969, the old white church building was moved to the side of the property to be used as Sunday school rooms, and a new brick church was built. The church split again and most of the members left. In spite of the problems, there was still a small group of good sincere people at Porter Apostolic Pentecostal Church. God's complete  will for the church had not yet been fulfilled. The Green Family Comes to Porter 1971 In the summer of 1971 Porter Apostolic Pentecostal Church needed a pastor. Although Bro. Green was pastoring in another state, God in His infinite wisdom looked ahead in time and saw beyond the 27 people in the Porter Apostolic Pentecostal Church. He saw a great host of people far and near waiting on the sidelines. God's Spirit was moving. In 1971, Bro. and Sis. Green and their five sons moved to Porter, TX. The church immediately started to grow and a great revival began and has continued through the years. Backsliders prayed back through and many new people received the Holy Ghost and were baptized in Jesus Name. In the fall of 1973, a new expansion was added to the church and some remodeling done. Sunday school classrooms and a fellowship hall with kitchen were added. Church Growth 1970's The church grew continually until the sanctuary was packed out, with approximately 200 in attendance. A new building project began in 1977 with completion in March of 1978. The church now had a new complex consisting of a beautiful sanctuary which would seat 600 people. The old sanctuary was made into a kitchen and fellowship hall. A new office for Bro. Green, evangelist quarters, and a church office were added. God continued to bless. On the first Sunday morning service, a lady (Sis. Colette Hanzi) walked in off the street and was the first to receive the Holy Ghost in our new sanctuary. In 1979, Porter Christian Academy was established using the fellowship hall as a learning center as well as for church functions. A new school was built in 1987. There was so much change and so much expansion - yet the message, the standards of holiness, and the purpose were never altered. The New Church Sanctuary 2004 In early 2003, construction for our new sanctuary which would seat approximately 1200 people began. A complete complex with second story Sunday school rooms, offices, and a balcony would be constructed. The older part of the church was completely remodeled making the old sanctuary the fellowship hall. The old fellowship hall was divided and is now a place for children's church and a completely remodeled beautiful kitchen. The landscaping was done with a blend of native and tropical plants beautifully arranged complementing the church in all of its beauty. Porter Apostolic Pentecostal Church celebrated the completion with a three day dedication on April 16, 17, and 18, 2004. 1 Chronicles 22:5 ….. And the house that is to be built for the Lord must be exceeding magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries…... 1 Chronicles 29:3 Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house. The most outstanding feature concerning the church upon completion was that the church was paid in full. 40th Pastoral Anniversary 2011 Bro. and Sis. Jerry Green celebrated their 40th Pastoral Anniversary on July 7-10, 2011. During their 48 years of ministry, Bro. and Sis. Green have mentored many great men of God. Many pastors, evangelists, and missionaries have begun their ministries right here in the Porter Church under their leadership. Other ministers have been called here to assist Bro. Green in various offices during the last 40 years, and others have asked Bro. Green to be their pastor. Thank God for a good pastor. Porter APC: The Same Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow The Lord is adding to our church daily. Our pastoral leadership is continuing to lead the congregation in the same holiness standards; the same love for souls; and evangelism; and with the same anointing that has been a part of the church since its beginning. Ephesians 4:11-12 "And he gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Porter Apostolic Pentecostal Church has truly been blessed! Much thanks to Sis. Ettie Ruth Pate for history info and pics!