Tent meetings, such as this one in Maryland in 1915, were common in Alabama and other places. Photo courtesy of the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center, Springfield, MO. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifphc/sets/72157594309577534/
The Names and the Places
We know the names of many of the founding pastors and members, like Mack Pinson, Dan and Jim Dubose, Wayne Tomlin, J. S. Wooten...
An important part of Assemblies of God history that may slip away more easily than the names of the founders are the locations of the early Pentecostal tent revivals and camp meetings – the temporary places where the Holy Spirit changed people’s lives permanently.
An important part of Assemblies of God history that may slip away more easily than the names of the founders are the locations of the early Pentecostal tent revivals and camp meetings – the temporary places where the Holy Spirit changed people’s lives permanently.
Organizational meeting of the Assemblies of God at Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1914. Photo courtesy of the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center, Springfield, MO. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifphc/sets/72157594313001794/
Documenting the Spirit-filled Places
This is part of a project to help locate and document some of the places in the history of the early Assemblies of God movement in southeast Alabama.
We already know some of the story of the early organizing of congregations in the area. Early Pentecostal newspapers, Robert Spence's The First Fifty Years, and other sources, many available in the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center in Springfield, Missouri, and congregational histories like that of El Bethel's in Coffee County by Laurelle Dubose Weatherford, provide a good foundation to which more details may be added as they are uncovered. (See the bibliography at the end of this post.)
Scene beside Wooten Chapel Assembly of God, about four miles south of
EARLY REVIVAL LOCATIONS
El Bethel Assembly, Coffee County
For example, Mrs. Weatherford writes in her history that in August of 1906, Rev. M. M. Pinson came to Coffee County and “erected a tent at New Tabernacle Church,” which was attended by Dan and Jim Dubose. From this revival grew the congregation that became the El Bethel Assembly of God. (Weatherford, p. 1.)
New Tabernacle Church, June, 2008.http://www.flickr.com/photos/racheldobson/2754877328/in/set-72157605566040085/
El Bethel Assembly of God, May, 2008.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/racheldobson/ 2570327971/in/set-72157605566040085/
Enon Baptist Church, Coffee County
Enon Baptist, at the junction of Coffee County roads 147 and 148, was the site of a Pentecostal revival in the summer of 1907 when a deacon invited Dan and Jim Dubose, brothers who had received the Gift of the Holy Spirit “to start a revival in his church.” --Robert H. Spence, The First Fifty Years, p. 10.
Enon Baptist Church, May, 2008. http://www.flickr.com/photos/racheldobson/ 2571144366/in/set-72157605566040085/
Highfalls Assembly, Geneva County
In June of 1907, Dan Dubose went to Rev. Pinson’s revival at Highfalls in Geneva County, “where he received the Gift.”
The meeting at High Falls was highly significant in that it provided a base of operations for the Pentecostal message and movement in southeastern Alabama. From this one revival, the nucleus for what is today the High Falls Assembly of God Church was formed and individuals, such as Dan Dubose, received personal experiences that would mean the formation of other Assemblies. --Spence, The First Fifty Years, p. 9.
Highfalls Assembly of God, May, 2008. http://www.flickr.com/photos/racheldobson/ 2571161630/in/set-72157605566040085/
Holloway Tabernacle, Geneva County
HEALED OF ASTHMA
Holloway Tabernacle Church, June, 2008.http://www.flickr.com/photos/racheldobson/ 2711825290/in/set-72157605566040085/
Holloway Tabernacle Historical Marker, June, 2008.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/racheldobson/ 2711013657/in/set-72157605566040085/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/racheldobson/ 2711013657/in/set-72157605566040085/
MORE GOOD NEWS...NEW BROCKTON, ALA.
Wayne Tomlin has just closed a blessed meeting in town, and will open in a new church just completed 7 miles south of Enterprise on August 22. --Word and Witness, August 20, 1912, p. 3, http://ifphc.org.
Wayne Tomlin has just closed a blessed meeting in town, and will open in a new church just completed 7 miles south of Enterprise on August 22. --Word and Witness, August 20, 1912, p. 3, http://ifphc.org.
Where was this “new church...7 miles south of Enterprise”? Was it Holloway Tabernacle in Coffee Springs, or else in Central City or in another nearby community?
Wooten Chapel Assembly of God, Coffee County
Did Wooten Chapel grow out of the local camp meeting “held four miles below New Brockton” in 1915?
Aug. 7th to 27th. Will be held four miles below New Brockton, Ala. Expecting W. P. Mims from Clanton, Ala. also Rev. W. B. Jessup from Meridian, Miss. For information write J. S. Wooten, Rt. 3 Elba, Ala. All invited. --Word and Witness, August, 1915, p. 8, http://ifphc.org.
Wooten Chapel Assembly of God, May, 2008.
Bethel Assembly, Ariton: original location, Barbour County
Remembering and finding old locales bring back the Spirit-filled events that took place at these meetings, and honors the early Pentecostal organizers who made the spread of the Gospel their life’s work.
The original location of Bethel Assembly, June, 2008.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/racheldobson/ 2690983270/in/set-72157605566040085/
Source: the history page of Bethel Assembly of God: www.meetmeatbethel.com/History.htm.
Many thanks to Angela Downing for her help, and especially for calling members of Bethel Assembly to get directions for me to this location.
Many thanks to Angela Downing for her help, and especially for calling members of Bethel Assembly to get directions for me to this location.
QUESTIONS
Our first annual camp meeting closed Sunday night. Bro. Wayne Tomlin of Enterprise, was in charge, and did most of the preaching. Other preachers and workers were with us and were blessedly used by the Lord. People came from far and near to hear the word, and the attendance was by far the largest in the history of the work at this place. God was present at every service to save, heal, and fill with the Spirit.-- H. W. Bryant.
--Word and Witness, October, 1913, p. 3, http://ifphc.org.
--Word and Witness, October, 1913, p. 3, http://ifphc.org.
We have just had a big revival at Dye Rock Church near Midland City, Ala. Sister Joyner held a three days meeting and the Lord wonderfully blessed. The power of God fell on all one evening and little children from five years up began to praise God and shout and dance. Eight received the baptism as in Acts 2:4 and several were saved. We are looking for greater things from the hand of God. The enemy is stirred but the work goes on just the same. -- J. A. Moss, R. 2. --Word and Witness, August 1915, p. 8, http://ifphc.org.
"A Holy Place"
The Azusa Street Mission in 1906. Photo courtesy of the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center, Springfield, MO. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifphc/260942939/in/
set-72157594313088839/
set-72157594313088839/
These early Pentecostal organizers and participants met the Holy Spirit in revivals and meetings throughout the Wiregrass region and all over Alabama in the early part of the twentieth century.
Internet Resources
Part of the purpose of this research is to create resources that will be available to anyone who is interested in the early history of the Assemblies of God in south Alabama. Blogs and Flickr.com are just two ways to post information and images on the internet, so that others can view and post comments, even their own reminiscences. At my Flickr set, “Early Pentecost in Alabama,” you can view more photos, and read text from primary and secondary sources on the history of Pentecostalism in Alabama:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/racheldobson/sets/72157605566040085/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/racheldobson/sets/72157605566040085/
An Internet Community through Public Libraries
http://www.flickr.com/photos/racheldobson/map/
The Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center - the official archives of the Assemblies of God, USA - also has a Flickr account with wonderful historical images of early revivals, camp meetings, posters, and the founding individuals of the organization:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifphc/sets/
4 comments:
My great-grandmother was Caledonia Metcalf and she was from the area in Alabama you are writing about. She was called Donie Metcalf. Martha Joiner led her to the Lord in a watermelon patch. Is it possible that she is the "Rev. Donnie Metcalf" you have referred to? Donie Metcalf's daughter, Ibbie Metcalf (my grandmother) married Rev. J.O. Savell who went on to serve on the Assembly of God's General Council. ~ Cynthia Prentice
Cynthia, I believe it is the same person! If I remember correctly, she is pictured with Martha Joiner in a photo in the foyer of the Bethel Assembly of God in Ariton, Alabama. I have been following several individuals in the early Pentecostal movement, including my Snellgrove ancestors, and I would very much like to talk to you about your great grandmother. Would you email me at airgid at gmail dot com?
I have found a little bit more history about Martha, Donnie and Bethel A/G here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/racheldobson/2690982754/in/set-72157605566040085/.
Thank you for your message!
Rachel
My great grandfather was Rev. Dan DuBose my grandmother his daughter Mary, who married Charles Greenaway and became the head of 300 missionaries and were missionaries themselves to 4 continents
My great grandfather was Rev. Dan DuBose my grandmother his daughter Mary, who married Charles Greenaway and became the head of 300 missionaries and were missionaries themselves to 4 continents
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