EARLY HISTORY
In the year 1898, while John W. Randolph of Jasper, Alabama was in Atlanta, Georgia, he heard a Methodist minister, Rev. Charlie Tillman, preaching on the doctrine of entire sanctification. Mr. Randolph became so interested in the doctrine of entire sanctification he inquired of Rev. Tillman if he knew of a minister that would come to Jasper, Alabama, to preach entire sanctification. Rev. Tillman recommended Rev. R. M. Guy of Meridian, Mississippi. Rev. Guy had been sanctified in 1896 under the powerful preaching of Rev. J. 0. McClurkin, who had been conducting revivals in the south and teaching at a Texas holiness college.
On June 10, 1898, Rev. Guy preached the first sermon on entire sanctification in Walker County, Alabama under a brush arbor in Jasper. This first holiness revival was a great success! People were saved and sanctified accompanied by much rejoicing and praising the Lord. For the next few years revivals were held in various places around Walker County until Rev. C.B. Jernigan, a great holiness preacher in Texas and Oklahoma, came to Walker County in 1906 and organized a Holiness Church Christ at Nauvoo. In the late summer of 1907, Rev. Guy organized a Holiness Church of Christ in Jasper.
The year 1908 was a very important year for the two Holiness Church of Christ congregations in Walker County. Rev. Guy of the Jasper church, and Rev. John Manasco, of the Nauvoo church, were sent by their congregations to Pilot Point, Texas to form a union with the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene. The merger of the Holiness Church of Christ in the south and the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene took place on Tuesday, October 13, 1908, at 10:40 a.m., amid great shouts of joy and holy enthusiasm. As reported in The Holiness Evangel, October 14, 1908, Rev. R. M. Guy of Jasper, Alabama was introduced and spoke to the General Council-Assembly at Pilot Point. During this same General Council-Assembly, a number of new districts were formed and their district superintendents were appointed. Rev. R. M. Guy was appointed district superintendent of the Alabama, Mississippi and West Florida District and served in this place of leadership until the first Alabama District Assembly was held on March 6-7, 1909 at Jasper. During this first assembly. Rev. C. H. Lancaster was elected district superintendent.
The first Alabama District Assembly opened at 2:40 p.m. on March 6,1909 with the singing of "A Charge to Keep" followed by General Superintendent H. F. Reynolds leading in prayer that bombarded heaven. His message that followed was taken from Philippians 2:1-5. The elders to report at the first assembly were:
Rev. C. H. Lancaster, Jasper, Alabama
Rev. J. A. Manasco, Fayette, Alabama
Rev. W. R. Randolph, Haleyville, Alabama
Rev. R. M. Guy, Jasper, Alabama
Rev. P. M. Covington, Cascilla, Mississippi
Seven organized churches were listed on the district.
1. Mount Peniel, Thaxton, Mississippi
2. Cordova, Alabama
3. Friendship, Cascilla, Mississippi
4. Jasper, Alabama
5. Nauvoo, Alabama
6. Pineforest, Atmore, Alabama
7. Saragossa, Alabama
The district officers elected by the delegates were:
District Superintendent, Rev. C. H. Lancaster
District Secretary, John W. Randolph
District Advisory Board, Elders: John A. Manasco and W. R. Randolph. Laymen: W. G. Jackson and J. A. Romine
The delegates serving at the first district assembly in 1909 were W. G. Jackson, Jasper; Mrs. S. B. Day, Jasper; J. M. Martin, Nauvoo; John Romine, Nauvoo; S. W. Lane, Cordova; R. T. Hardin, Saragossa.
During April 1909, Rev. "Bud" Robinson held a ten day revival in Jasper which accomplished much and a significant number of believers being saved and sanctified. District Superintendent Lancaster wrote to General Superintendent Reynolds on April 30,1909 telling of Uncle "Bud" Robinson's revival and stating that finances were a real hindrance; however, he was asking God to "stir the people so the work can move on."
Alabama South District Church of the Nazarene
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Alabama South District PO Box 680898 |
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