History of Patterson AG

The Patterson Assembly of God was born within the walls of Trinity Tabernacle, St. Louis, Missouri, where the Rev. Fred Lohmann served as pastor, assisted by his wife. Rev. and Mrs. Lohmann were shepherds of a group of people who were on fire for God, filled with the Holy Spirit and had a VISION. The vision began about 1930 when something unusual began to stir in the hearts of a group of new converts. The Holy Spirit moved upon dedicated hearts to carry the Gospel. Under the leading of the Spirit, Rev. and Mrs. Lohmann conducted Bible schools, training workers how to teach and preach the Gospel and instructing them in ways of personal conduct in the field. The first workers to go out from the mother church were Sister Eilene Sanders and Sister Ina Hempker. Coming into the Rings Creek community, they held their first revival in the Rings Creek schoolhouse in 1936. During this revival they stayed in the home of Sis. Ina's sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. George Schamel. News of the Rings Creek revival spread throughout all the surrounding communities and the people came from far and near to hear the anointed preaching. The revival continued for seven weeks during which time a large number of souls were saved. Sister Ina and Sister Eilene were the first women ministers to preach in these communities, and many attended the revival out of curiosity. They came to see the women preachers and stayed to find Christ. Following the leading of the Holy Spirit, the ladies moved into the Camp Creek Community. Feeling that the Camp Creek schoolhouse would not contain the crowds, the men of the community worked together to build a large brush harbor near the school so that all who came might have equal opportunity to see, hear, and participate in the services. Sister Ina and Sister Eilene were assisted by other workers from Trinity Tabernacle, the mother church, in this revival. Again, their efforts were blessed of God with many souls being born into the kingdom. Whole families were saved proving the Scriptures: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house" (Acts 16:31). Out of such a family was to come one missionary, Sister Neoma Bacon Hale, and two ministers, Brother Cecil Bacon and Sister Rose Marie (Bacon) Stoughton. Only God can know the number of souls saved through their ministry alone. People came from miles around in trucks, cars, wagons, on horseback, and some walked as much as seven miles round trip. As time went on, revivals were held by different ministers at others places, such as: Wood Schoolhouse, Philippi Schoolhouse, at the Y Junction 34 & 67 in brush arbors, Cherry Grove, and the Baptist church in Patterson. They also were invited to hold services in the Baptist Church on weekends that were not filled by the Union of Baptists and Methodist ministers until such time as they could complete a building for a full-time church of their own. The local established churches were blessed and their membership increased as a result of these revivals. At the time, these workers were sent out by God, there were no churches or Sunday Schools in most of the places they chose to hold revivals. Out of these revivals came the desire and need for a centrally located church. The move was on and people of all faiths supported the effort in one way or another. They gave of their time, money, prayers and good will. And so, the Full Gospel Tabernacle, Assembly of God of Patterson was pioneered...

At 3:00 pm on October 12, 1938, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Eloyd Byard, a business meeting was held. After prayer, those present decided to name the church "The Gospel Tabernacle," and a suitable location was discussed. On October 15, 1938, another business meeting was held at the same place. At this meeting it was decided to locate the church on the Dick Groy lot just south of Raymond Ward. The church was to sit on the hill as a light house, and no doubt the Scripture pertaining to the city which sat "on a hill that could not be hid" was in the minds and hearts of the people. Notations from the various business meetings refer to the sale of handles for church donations, and the revival of an egg fund for the same purpose. And so, the church building was built with rock donated from the local quarry and put on the ground by local people who donated their labor. The people worked in one accord for one purpose - to build a house of worship. Many long, toilsome, weary but happy hours were spent in building "The Gospel Tabernacle." Rev. Glenna Byard and Eloyd Byard were the first pastors of the "Gospel Tabernacle," which was completed and dedicated on the first Sunday in June, 1940. Rev. Fred Lohmann, pastor of the mother church, preached the dedicatory sermon, and Bro. Persons (who later became pastor of Trinity Tabernacle) was song leader. The large picture of Christ now hanging in the church was unveiled. The lovely picture of the Christ who walked the shores of Galilee was painted by Bro. Elmer Brown, a member of Trinity Tabernacle. Basket dinner was the order of the day for food for the body. But manna from heaven fed the souls of men and women that day to overflowing as they stood on holy ground, for the Lord was in their midst. Sister Byard pastored the church from April 25, 1940 to July 28, 1943. The Full Gospel Tabernacle was received into the Assemblies of God on May 18, 1958. The church name was changed to Patterson Assembly of God on February 1, 2009.