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Dexter church celebrates 100 years
DEXTER, Mo. — The congregation of First Assembly of God on 911 Brown Pilot Road has reached its 100th anniversary. The members plan to celebrate the historic event on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. with a special church service honoring the church’s history and past members who have influenced the growth of the church. It will be followed by a luncheon for the whole community.
“We have done a lot of homework on our history and we would like to share it with everyone,” said Pastor Dale Jones.
The church was founded Sept. 22, 1922, thanks to the efforts of two men and their families, he said.
According to historical research by church members, Vern Sielert and R. D. Goforth arranged for the congregation to meet in the upstairs space above what was then the Homer Smith store on Stoddard Street.
“They had a true vision for the church,” Jones said.
The two men brought on Rev. and Mrs. H.E. Sims to lead the First Assembly of God in Dexter in worship services.
By 1947, the church had grown big enough to buy a plot of land on Sassafras and McCollum streets. They built a church there.
“That was our first official church building,” said Jones.
It served the church for almost 30 years, surviving damage by an earthquake in 1973 that happened during a church service. No congregation members were hurt, but there was some separation of the interior and exterior walls of the structure.
In 1976, the congregation moved to their current facility on Brown Pilot Road.
“They had a big caravan of vehicles from the old church to the new building on July 4, 1976,” said Jones.
The construction and move occurred under the under the leadership of Pastor Frank Heitman. He had been pastor for three years when it happened but would serve First Assembly until 1995.
“Brother Heitman was a big facilitator of our growth and our identity of who we are now,” said Jones.
Jones got the chance to pastor First Assembly in June of this year. He had formerly been a chaplain with Tyson Foods in Kansas City. He was glad to have the chance to preach at First Assembly, he said.
“It was a good fit for me and at the right time,” he said. “It was also a unique opportunity,” he added.
“Dexter is my hometown and First Assembly is my home church,” he said. “Everything for me began here and now I’ve full-circled in the 100th year.”
The celebration of the first century of the church will include guest speakers and visits by past pastors of the congregation. There will be displays of historical church documents, church directories, memorabilia and a slide show of pictures from the church’s history.
The special church service and the luncheon are open to anyone who wishes to attend.
“This is an invitation for all of our friends and family in the community to celebrate with us,” said Pastor Jones. “We would be honored and happy to host anyone who shows up.”