History of Edwards Street-Abundant Life Community Church
The horse and buggy was still a prominent means of transportation in the year 1913, and that’s how a young evangelist traveled when he came to Alton from St. Louis to conduct the first Pentecostal revival in the area.
The fires of Pentecost had just begun to spread across the nation from the mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Azusa Street in San Fancisco, California in 1912. This great awakening was evidenced, as on the first Pentecost, by people being baptized in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues as the Holy Spirit gave utterance. Many miraculous healings also occurred.
Word quickly spread throughout the area that this evangelist was different- he spoke in tongues and prayed for the sick and they were healed! At this time, there was a lady by the name of Sally Walker who heard of these meetings and needed a miraculous healing. She was suffering from tuberculosis, in those days a dreaded and deadly disease. For this reason Mrs. Walker came to see and hear the evangelist herself and she was HEALED! This phenomenal miracle set wheels in motion for the assembling of a group of believers.
Mother Walker and her dear friend, Lula Slaten, began having prayer meetings in their homes. Day after day, after much prayer, they visited folds- spreading the Good News and telling of Mother Walker’s healing.
Soon, those of like precious faith began to worship together. In the late summer of 1913, this group conducted a series of evangelistic services in a tent located in the area near Rodgers and College Avenue. These meetings were conducted for approximately two months.
From the tent, the congregation moved to an upstairs location on College Avenue in Upper Alton. This location was then called Murphy’s Hall and rented for $8.00 per month. Services were held there for approximately eight months. The pastor of the church was Rev. William F. Kirkpatrick and he did much toward the establishing of new converts in the faith.
In 1915 the church was set in order and became affiliated with the General Council of the Assemblies of God. Soon plans were made to build a church.
A plot of land was purchased at 2615 Edwards Street at a cost of $600.00. Now there was a need for building materials. Lawyer Wilson, who was an acquaintance of the mayor, learned that the city planned to tear up some of the brick streets. He asked the mayor if he could have the discarded bricks, and they were given to him. The men of the church then gathered each evening at the church lot and scraped off the bricks until they were suitable for use. Often they worked until after midnight. The people then constructed the first building with the used bricks.
In the following years, there were many area-wide tent revivals held with numerous conversions. Water baptisms were often conducted in the Mississippi River-sometimes while ice still formed at the edges.
There was a lot of activity and enthusiasm in the body of believers. The church began a weekly radio broadcast ministry with a large choir, ladies’ trio, and a men’s quartet. A softball team was organized and played in the city leagues.
Soon the church grew to the point where a new building was necessary. The people united and began a building program. Men and women alike labored together to build a new sanctuary- the men building and the ladies cooking the noonday meal on Saturdays. It was a time of uniting the people and forming them into a family of God through their efforts and labor of love together.
In 1954, a beautiful new church was dedicated to the glory of God. It was much larger than the original church and could accommodate the large crowds who came then and in later years to hear some of the great evangelists of the day.
The church continued to grow as it entered into a detailed and expanded Sunday School program. During this time, the largest Sunday School attendance ever (665) was reached and in 1958, the church erected and dedicated a new education building. The church also expanded its outreach by using Sunday School buses.
As a result of the continued growth, the church was soon filled to capacity. A new building grogram ensued and a new auditorium was erected and dedicated on April 4, 1965.
As a community outreach, the church established a church nursery school. The school provided service to the community at large and was reputed to be one of the finest in the area. Many people outside the church were reached by this means.
Edwards Street became well-known throughout the Metropolitan area when God sent a revival to the hippie generation and Edwards Street Assembly of God Church welcomed them into their worship. During this time, a building was donated by Standard Oil Company as a meeting place for the young hippie converts. This was a Youth Worship Center which became known throughout the area as “The Jesus Center.”
The church continued to grow and expansion of the facility became a necessity. And, as in times past, God miraculously provided a way for the church to acquire an excellent piece of property. Soon a beautiful new sanctuary was erected on Humbert Road and was called Abundant Life Christian Center. The current church was dedicated on June 12, 1982. Since that time, an up-to-date gymnasium, Kofahl Family Life Center and New Life Café have been added to the site. The overall goal is to provide a spiritual atmosphere for members of Abundant Life Community Church in every area of daily life.
Even as we look back on the wonders God has done, we look forward to what God has in store. We are thankful for the dedication and hard work of those who gave their all to reach a community for the Lord Jesus Christ. The church still has a burning desire to reach the community and the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Missions trips are planned on a regular basis as well as numerous outreach ministries to the local community.
