Our History
On October 9, 1955, a tiny group of people, under the direction of Rev. C.H. Weeks, formed a small assembly, and the First Pentecostal Church of Sulphur sprang to life!
FPCS Dedication featured as cover story of the Louisana Challenger in December of 1961
Over sixty years later, the church in Sulphur continues to flourish upon the strong foundation of truth which has been established by faithful pastors and saints through the years.
Less than a year after the church’s inception, the Lord sent Rev. and Mrs. Bill Cranford to pastor the congregation. The Cranfords labored diligently, and over the next 12 years, they established a fine monument to the Apostolic truth. During that time, Bro. Cranford oversaw the construction of the original sanctuary. Through the years, First Pentecostal Church of Sulphur has been blessed with capable, godly leadership. Pastors following Bro. Cranford included Reverends C.R. Free, Carl Ballestero, Donald Meade, Jonathan Alvear, and David Boyd.
Rev. and Mrs. William Cranford
standing by the front doors of the building.
Rev. Cranford's daughter and son-in-law, Bo & Brenda Lanier, and grandchildren, Trent, Lisa, and Sharon.
An article in The Southwest Star by Rev. William Cranford in October, 1968
Rev. & Mrs. William Cranford, Rev. & Mrs. C. R. Free, and Rev. & Mrs. Purifoy.
In October 2012, Bro. Don Meade introduced the church to Bro. Harlan Morgan, and on November 17, 2012, Pastor and Mrs. Harlan Morgan, along with their children, Caleb and Alaina, became the current pastoral family of First Pentecostal Church of Sulphur.
Throughout the years, the original sanctuary has been remodeled and expanded by various pastors. Additions to building included foyer, restrooms, offices, fellowship hall, evangelist quarters, and kitchen. Adjoining properties have also been purchased, expanding the church property from a single corner lot to over three acres!
In 2014, due to growth and cramped quarters, Bro. Morgan presented the need of expanded Sunday School facilities. The church family rallied behind the effort, and in a period of about seven months, the nearly 4,000 square foot Sunday School building and west side parking lot was constructed. The new building consists of four large classrooms, two restrooms, a kitchenette, and a large multi-purpose room. Since then, another adjoining lot has been purchased! The church is currently working toward retiring the indebtedness on the Sunday School building,
and the vision of constructing a new sanctuary between the Sunday School Building and the parsonage has been born! With God, all things are possible!
While the welfare and direction of a church often rises and falls upon its leadership, there is much to be said about the faithfulness of the saints of God throughout the years. Several charter members remain faithfully engaged in the work of God, and the church has also been blessed with new saints over the past few years. We are greatly blessed with a healthy and happy church family!
Standing firmly upon and rooted deeply within the foundation of truth, we march forward into the future as the seventh pastor into the seventh decade of the life of this great church. “…it may be that the LORD will work for us…” (I Samuel 14:6)