Amory, Mississippi
In 1940 the Longnecker family decided to expand their garment manufacturing company (Weaver Pants Company) in Corinth, Mississippi, to open another factory (The Amory Garment Company) in Amory, Mississippi.
Mr. Ikee Longnecker sent several workers who were members of the First Pentecostal Church of Corinth to help start Amory’s factory. A.D. Gurley came to Amory and held a tent revival one block off Main Street, and several people received the Holy Ghost and baptized in Jesus’ Name. These believers continued to worship in the City Hall.
On November 23, 1941, M.H. Hansford became the church’s founding pastor, and the church built a building on the property adjoining the Longnecker family home place.
From 1943- 1949, the following pastors served: 1943-1945 C.M. Goff, 1945-1947 C.D. Soper, 1947-1948 J.E. Anderson, 1949 Floyd Newsome.
From 1949-1952 a group from the Latter Rain movement took control of church leadership and closed the doors.
In 1952, E.J. McClintock was appointed pastor by the Mississippi District UPCI board. Bill Bowen was selected to assist him and elected pastor from August of 1953 until August of 1954.
Following Bill Bowen, T.C. Montgomery served as pastor until October of 1954. The church struggled and was not open for regular services until November 1955.
The Mississippi District board authorized G.H. Hill while pastoring Nettleton as Amory’s interim pastor to establish church by-laws and a current membership roll.
Brother Hill and these believers held services in the yard of Brother Buddy and Sister Alice Brown for several weeks. God blessed, and many new people came to God.
Over the years, there have been so many faithful families and people the Lord has brought into the church. One of these families is the Sawyer family. This family has proved to be a blessing for the cause of souls and missions around the world.
Sister Lurene Sawyer was a sacrificial giver to missions. God mightily used two of her sons for global missions. Jerry Sawyer served in Central America and Belize for many years, and Gerald Sawyer continues to raise funds to build churches worldwide. Pastor Gerald Sawyer who lives in a small Mississippi community, has helped raise over $1 million for missions worldwide.
After Brother G.H. Hill reopened the church building and instituted the by-laws of the United Pentecostal Church International articles of faith, He also appointed a new church board to resume the business for the Amory Pentecostal Church. Brother G.H. Hill served as pastor until May 5, 1957.
Lee J. Edwards served as pastor from 1957 until July of 1963 when Charles James was elected and served until July of 1964. In July of 1964, J.B. Brown was elected and served until 1966. Following Brother Brown, Larry Hill, Sr. served as pastor from May of 1966 until March of 1967. At this time, the Church assembly elected Thomas Galloway to serve as pastor. He served until January of 1968.
The assembly elected Coy A. Hill to serve as pastor in February 1968. After a significant spiritual breakthrough against demonic spirits, a great revival covered the Amory area in the early 1970s. In one of those years, Brother Hill baptized over 125 and many others filled with the Holy Ghost.
Brother Hill and the church family realized the limited space in the original building, so they purchased 26 acres, with the plan to build a family center and a sanctuary.
In 1979 the church purchased land, the church name “The Amory Pentecostal Church” became “Bethel Apostolic Church.” Bethel’s meaning is a meeting place with God.
In July 1980, the new church building was completed, and they moved in, and services began. The church family marched 2 miles from the original facility built in 1941 at 9th Avenue South to the new facility located at 800 Tschudi Road.
They were singing “We’ve Come This Far by Faith” as they entered the doors.
In 1992 the current sanctuary was completed and dedicated.
They completed all the new buildings and the properties debt-free.
In 1999 Stan Blaylock became pastor of the church, and Coy Hill became the bishop. Over the last 21 years, Bethel has seen 100’s baptized and receive the Holy Ghost.
At the time of this writing, Brother Hill is still serving in a ministerial and advisory role after 52 years.
We thank God for His great grace and blessings over the years. We thank God for the vision of Brother A.D. Gurley and Brother M.H. Hansford in the beginning and for all the men who have served
as pastor of this church.
We especially are thankful for the wisdom, integrity, and love that Bishop Coy Hill has poured out here in
Amory for more than 52 years.
The congregation continues to believe the spirit of revivals will continue. So, until Jesus calls us home, or He comes again, we will fight the fight and keep the faith.