Yazoo City, MS
Reaching the Delta region of Mississippi has his- torically been a daunting challenge. The church in Yazoo City has been no exception. The church was established in 1950 and affiliated with the U.P.C.I. as The First United Pentecostal Church. The church had many pastors over the years.
The church’s founding familes ( Wade, Stokes, and Hickman) met while attending various city churches. Realizing they all were from apostolic backgrounds, they began to meet in each other’s homes for church services. They reached out to the Mississippi District U.P.C.I. officials with a desire to form a church and have a pastor. These founding families purchased three lots on the corner of 15th Street and Swayze Street. On June 1, 1951, the church board signed the affiliated form for member- ship with the U.P.C.I.
1950-1957 – Pastor Fred Wilson – Pastor Wilson used his own money, received from an inheritance, and supplied the labor to build the first church build- ing on the corner of 15th and Swayze Street. After the congregation built the church, they were able to get a loan and repay Brother Wilson. The church was running approximately 30 when Brother Wilson resigned.
1957-1982 – Hamilton J. Sanders served as Pas tor. His wife, Hazel, was an evangelist. When the Sanders became Pastor, there were seven members and approximately 30 in the congregation. Brother Sanders pastored until he died in 1982.
The church swapped properties with a local doctor for space to build the current building. They built the present sanctuary in 1978 and added the educational wing in 1982. Through suppers and peanut brittle sales, they retired the debt in 1984. Through the pastorate of the Sanders, the church grew to around 130 members.
Other Pastors who served were 1982-1984 Bobby Upchurch, 1984-1991 George F. Holt, 1991-1992 Glenn Maughon, 1992-1994 Jay Trammell, 1994-1995 David Moore, 1995-1996 Steve Blaylock, 1996-2008 Lonnie Mitchell, and 2008-Present Carl Lewis.
The assembly changed to The Sanctuary United Pentecostal Church.
“Through the years and the changing times, the church in Yazoo City and the city itself have experienced many ups and downs. The congregation has fluctuated over the years. For many years, the oil industry drove the city’s economy, but as the oil dwindled, so did the economy and population. At one point, the congregation had waned to 10 dedicated people. God has shown his favor, and the church once again is growing and reaching our community. With God’s favor and blessing, we are excited to see the next chapter for our church and community. Revival until Jesus comes!”
Note from Pastor Carl Lewis