Where We Come From
A Strong Foundation.
Throughout its history, First Assembly has seen the faithfulness of God. When call of God stirred the hearts of those individuals to have a witness to the people of Granite City, little did they realize to what extent God would accomplish His work! Whether they met in a schoolhouse on West 20th Street, the old saloon at 19th and “B-Street, the Koinonia Center, the Full Gospel Tabernacle brick building, or the current facility on Madison Avenue, God has confirmed His place for First Assembly in this area. Many churches in the area have their roots in First Assembly and over 100 men and women have stepped-out to answer the call into full-time ministry as Missionaries, Preachers, District Officers, General Superintendents, and workers in the Kingdom of God.
Whereas the past has been a marvelous reminder of what God has done, we press-on to what God has in store for this body of believers. We believe God is not through establishing a Christian influence and witness in Granite City! Once again, we seek to be on the cutting edge of what God is doing-not only in Granite City, but, in all of the world! As we prepare for the ministry ahead, we are thankful for the strong foundation we have; for those who have faithfully persevered in wanting God to minister in Granite City. From this foundation, we can launch forth to change our world for His glory!
Our Heritage
First Assembly of God began in 1912, in West Granite as a group of four gathered in a home seeking for a deeper relationship with the God. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Cherry along with two others, Mrs. Schneider and Mrs. Hill. They could never have known of the multitudes of people effected due to their commitment to prayer. For out of that small prayer meeting formed what we know as First Assembly of God.
In the spring of 1913, an abandoned saloon building became the group’s first house of worship. They faced some hardships due to the special kind of faith and tenacity of spirit present in that body of believers. Yet in spite of opposition attendance increased steadily, and many found Christ in those days. Then almost seven years to the day of that first small gathering of believers, Rev. Carl O’Guin was elected as it’s first pastor in June of 1919. One year later a charter was drawn and First Assembly of God officially began with a membership of twenty-eight. Those first few believers bonded together and through prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit to establish a church that has withstood world wars, the Great Depression and may challenges presented as by the needs of the day.
Since that time First Assembly has been the birth place and training ground for many pastors, BBS missionaries, and key church leaders. In fact two state and one national superintendent can look to Granite City First Assembly as apart of their preparation for leadership. First Assembly Of God’s commitment to building people has been present throughout its history and continues today.
