Gospel Assembly Church Celebrates 80th Anniversary; Church Was a Leap of Faith

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[In the beginning, as the Bible says, so it was with the Du Quoin Gospel Assembly Church.

In the year 1931, a man with a vision sensed that the old church at the corner of Main and Leonard Streets --closed for several years-- afforded an opportunity to open a church house that would be blessed by the Lord. This man was a meter reader for the Illinois Power Company and had passed this building many, many times while reading meters in the neighborhood. The man's name was Robert Pair, Sr.

The church had been a haven for pigeons. Consequently, a lot of cleanup had to be done in order to be able to hold services.

This being accomplished in the fall of 1931, he rented the property, made a deposit to the Illinois Power Company to have the electricity turned on and proceeded to hold services.

It was named Christ Chapel at first and then in 1941 the name was changed to Gospel Assembly Church.

In 1933, Rev. William Sowders of Louisville, Ky. sent his son Rev. James Sowders to begin his pastoring the church. He remained as pastor for 20 years, laboring with very little financial help, but with a growing congregation, improvements began and the first "band" was formed, which is still a tradition in services today. Then, in 1950, the elder Rev. Sowders became ill and Rev. James Sowders went to help his father, still remaining the pastor of this church. Brother Bob Pair, Sr. was left to keep the "fire burning" with the help of others until 1953.

Then. in February 1953 Rev. Beryl Clark was called to become the pastor. His first service was on February 14, 1953. He served 31 years and made many changes in the interior and exterior of the church house.

Property across the street was purchased, a church library was added, and in 1957 work was started to add an annex on the back of the church along with extensive enlarging and remodeling of the dining room. The kitchen was completed in 1958.

In 1965 remodeling continued with cushioned pews, wings were added, a youth chapel was created and the platform enlarged. A lot of credit goes to Rev. Clark for the upgrading of the assembly. Again, in 1973, more remodeling was done with the addition of an office, pastor's study, prayer chapel, men's and women's restrooms and also a lounge area on the south.

In March 1981 ground was broken for a modern new church building. It sits south of the original church and is attached by hallways. All of the labor in building this sanctuary came from the men of the congregation. Six months and 10 days later the new structure was completed--debt free. This is the church you see currently on the corner of Main and Leonard streets.

Due to Rev. Clark's failing health, the current pastor, Rev. Dennis Fitzsimmons, was installed as pastor in 1984 and has now served 27 years. Many cosmetic changes have been made under the leadership of Rev. Fitzsimmons. A complete interior redecorating was done, a balcony added, new carpeting, reupholstered pews, rearranged platform, new soft paint makeover, complete remodeling of the dining room and kitchen and the purchase of a new piano and organ.

The exterior was completely restructured with exterior lights, decorative beams, steeple, shrubbery, beautiful doors, a new marquee and several other cosmetic changes. The church owes a whole lot to the current pastor and his service of 27 years and for his vision of refinement--both materially and spiritually.

Under his leadership many have been saved, many gone to their reward, and many are presently listening to God's word and being blessed.