History of Our Council
With regard to Apostolic Pentecostal beginnings, the First Apostolic Council of Kentucky and Tennessee has an impressive foundation. It is the result of earnest prayer, sound doctrine, solid leadership and a move of the Holy Ghost.
We are THE OLDEST COUNCIL in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World and our history is decorated with the names and legacies of Pentecostal giants such as Haywood, Douglas and Schultz, to name a few.
1897Christian Faith Band Church was founded in Danville, KY by Thomas J. Cox.
1906Azusa Street revival begins.
1908In 1908 Bishop G. T. Haywood received the Holy Ghost and was called to the ministry shortly thereafter. He was a key figure in the start of the First Apostolic Council of Kentucky and Tennessee.
After receiving his call to the ministry, Haywood would travel to Louisville, Kentucky and spread the gospel in local churches.
1909In the year 1909 while evangelizing in Louisville, Haywood held a meeting at the Christian Faith Band Church located at 16th and Magazine Street on the east side of the city.
After hearing Haywood preach a dynamic message about the finished work of Calvary, a small group of holiness seekers, mostly women, left the Christian Faith Band Church and began to have cottage meetings in different locations throughout the city.
Some of the charter members of the small group were Sister Viola Beeler, Anna Bell Davis and Sister Theresa Coffman who offered her garage to be used for Sunday worship services.
The young G. T. Haywood began nurturing and guiding the small "Louisville Assembly" as it grew into a congregation. In his book entitled "Early Oneness Pentecostalism, Garfield Thomas Haywood, and the Interracial Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (1906-1931)", Dr. Talmadge Leon French comfirm that Pentecostal churches in the 1900's often referred to their meetings as "conventions" whereas today they are known as "councils".
1911In the year 1911 Brother Floyd I. Douglas travelled to Louisville from Bardstown, KY. Douglas was saved and called to the ministry in December of the same year.
Because of the effectiveness of his ministry, Douglas was chosen as the leader of this God-ordained assembly.
1912Early in the year 1912 Brother Floyd Douglas joined the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World and achieved the title, "Elder".
The group of saints had grown to about 35 members and on July 12th of the same year, Elder Douglas found a place of worship large enough to accommodate a meeting for the growing assembly.
Soon the saints expressed a desire to add additional churches to their group budding "convention", as it was commonly called back then. In fact according to the late Bishop Morris E. Golder, Haywood held his very first convention in 1912.
1915
By 1915 the Louisville Assembly "convention" (our council) had grown enough to invite none other than Garfield Thomas Haywood to a worship service as the featured speaker.
1917According to a 1917 minute book, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World had 142 oneness ministers during that year.
1922On October 22, 1922, the council added a business meeting to its order of service. Elder Alexander R. Schooler and Bishop G. T. Haywood were at the helm of this meeting. The meeting was held in a building leased by Floyd I. Douglas on the corner of Jackson and Lampton Streets in Louisville, KY.
During this first meeting, Elder Douglas was elected the first chairman, and Sister Lucy A. Cureton of Fairfield, KY, was elected secretary.
1923The January council convened in Fairfield, KY, with 13 churches representing. Its name at that time was simply, "Kentucky State Council."
Elder Douglas held the title of General Elder and was elected to the office of District Elder in 1924. This promotion caused Elder Douglas to travel much of the time while technically still pastor of Greater Bethel, making trips all over the country, including California, where he would spend a large part of his time.
1925Elder G. T. Haywood became the first presiding bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World.
1929The Louisville Assembly changed its name to Bethel Temple.
Bethel Temple in Louisville hosts the 7th Annual meeting of the council under the leadership of Elder David Schultz.
1934The Kentucky State Council hosts the First National Pentecostal Young People's Convention.
1935Elder David Shultz was nominated for and elected into the office of Bishopric.
1939The Kentucky State Council's name is changed to the "First Apostolic Council of Kentucky."
1945The Council's name is again altered to include Tennessee churches.
1962The Kentucky and Tennessee council convenes with Pastor S. Haynesworth and saints at Christ Temple, Old Hickory, Tennessee, April 17th - 21st.
1966After the dedication of their Christian Education annex in 1966, the name of the mother church was changed to Greater Bethel Temple.
1971On June 16th Bishop David T. Schultz filed articles of incorporation and registered the name First Apostolic Council of Kentucky and Tennessee (P.A.W.) Inc. with the Kentucky Secretary of State; and adopted by the general assembly during the July council session.
1972On Friday, August 11th, at 9:30 pm, Bishop David Thurman Schultz met his quietus after 43 years of service with the First Apostolic Council of Kentucky and Tennessee.
1972Bishop Morris E. Golder of Indianapolis, IN, was appointed Diocesan.
1989The First Apostolic Council of Kentucky and Tennessee hosts the 74th Annual Convention of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.
1995The "Prince of Preachers" - Bishop Morris E. Golder is placed on emeritus status after serving the council for over 23 years.
1996Bishop Alphonso Scott of Ferguson, Missouri, is installed as the F.A.C.'s 4th diocesan.
2000The office of Administrative Assistant was established in the year 2000. During the June Annual Council Session hosted by Greater Bethel Temple, Louisville, KY, Bishop Boyd announced the appointment of Pastor L. McNeese to the position on Saturday evening during the Youth service.
2001Bishop Melvin Boyd of Nashville, Tennessee, is installed as the F.A.C.'s 5th diocesan.
2002Elder Michael Riley was appointed as the first F.A.C. historian by Bishop Melvin Boyd.
On July 28th, Bishop Melvin Boyd passed away after serving a short one-year term.
Bishop Norman Wagner of Youngstown, Ohio, becomes the interim diocesan.
2003Bishop Sherman L. Merritt of Nashville, Tennessee, was installed as the F.A.C.'s 6th diocesan.
2004On June 25th, Pastor Anna E. Davis of Christ Temple New Assembly, Lexington, KY, made F.A.C. history by becoming its first female district elder and executive board member.
2006Dr. L. McNeese was appointed the First Apostolic Council's historian.
2007July 21st - 28th The First Apostolic Council of Kentucky and Tennessee hosts the Summer Convention of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. at the Gaylord Opry Land Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
In the year 2007, the new diocesan, the Honorable Bishop Sherman L. Merritt, confirmed that McNeese would continue serving as the administrative assistant and additionally requested the development of a team of armor bearers to serve the F.A.C.
2010June 21st - 26th F.A.C. celebrated the 100th year anniversary.
June 25th - F.A.C. hosted 100th year Centennial Celebration Gala at Fern Valley Hotel and Conference Center in Louisville, KY.
2012On March 17th, the F.A.C. historian, Dr. La Monte McNeese, submitted a resolution to the general body for a council campground and worship center.
2013March 15, 2013, Elder Rufus and Lady Dottie Woods of Heaven Sent Ministries joined the F.A.C. council during the Spring Council Session held at Keith Dominion Church in Nashville, TN.
May 15th - 16th, the F.A.C. Women's Convention was held at Holy Divine Apostolic Church in Henning, TN, pastor-Elder Louis Sanders.
June F.A.C. Adjutants assumed the duties of the Sergeant-At-Arms.
July 6, after 51 years as pastor of Christ Temple Ashland, KY member of the F.A.C., Suffragan Bishop Elzy Thomas earns his eternal reward.
September 24th - 28th, F.A.C. Fall Council session was held at Christ Temple in Ashland, KY.
2014On February 16th, Elder Calvin Bradley was installed as the new pastor of Christ Temple Ashland, KY.
April 24th - 26th, F.A.C. hosted the Region V Christian Education Association at Greater Christ Temple in Nashville, TN.
May 15th - 16th, the F.A.C. Women's Convention was held at Christ Temple in Ashland, KY.
June 24th, A new council website, approved by Diocesan Bishop Sherman L. Merritt, was developed and launched by council historian, Dr. L. McNeese.
August 1st - 9th, the P.A.W. Annual Convention convened in Detroit, MI; a historic 35 Christian workers from the First Apostolic Council represented.
Sept. 19th, 2014 Dr. L McNeese was appointed Director over the Ministers Wives Auxiliary by Bishop Sherman L. Merritt.
December 14th - District Elder Johnnie Blissett and F.A.C. District 5 held their 1st Annual Christmas Gala at Christ Episcopal Church in Bowling Green, KY.
December 26th - Greater Bethel Temple (our mother church) held their 25th Anniversary & Retirement Banquet for Suffragan Bishop Eugene and Lady Elaine Stewart, honoring them for 39 years of pastoring. The event was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Louisville, KY.
2015On Thursday, February 12, 2015, CBS Sports honored our own Elder Nate Northington of Newburg Apostolic Church at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, KY. Elder Northington made sports history as the first African American college football player in the Southeastern Conference. His pastor is Elder Waverly Holland. A televised documentary titled, "Forward Progress: The Integration of SEC Football" was aired on the CBS Sports Network on Monday, February 16, 2015. Subsequently, the University of Kentucky erected life-sized statues to honor Elder Northington and 3 others as the first four black football players on September 22, 2016.
March 27th, the Mighty First Apostolic Council Media Ministry Director, Michael Morns, provided the first live streaming of video services on the F.A.C. website.
March 27th, The F.A.C. Social Media was established (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter).
March 27th - District Elder Melvin Boyd and District Elder Charles Trumbo were elevated to Suffragan Bishop, and Elder James McDonald was elevated to District Elder.
July 30th, F.A.C. members Dr. La Monte McNeese and Suffragan Bishop Melvin A. Boyd made history by graduating from the P.A.W.'s first Transformational Leadership Course.
2016March 11th, 2016, the F.A.C. Ministers Wives Alliance sponsored a special luncheon, honoring First Lady *Margeret Thomas, First Lady *Cynthea Ferguson, First Lady Elizabeth Trumbo, First Lady *Mar Johnson, First Lady Nancy Holland, and First Lady *Katherine Baker a few select "Ladies of Our Heritage"(* Former First Lady)
March 11th, 2016, Dr. L McNeese was appointed director over the Christian Education Department by Bishop Sherman L. Merritt.
March 11th, 2016, on this date, pursuant to a letter of resignation submitted by Elder Michael L. Boyd dated June 30th, 2015, it was announced that Grace Apostolic Church is no longer part of the First Apostolic Council.
March 11th, 2016, on this date, pursuant to a letter of resignation submitted by Suffragan Bishop Carl McCullen dated January 10th, 2016, it was announced that New Harvest Family Church is no longer part of the First Apostolic Council.
In September 2016, the Executive Board approved the F.A.C. Youth department to make a Facebook page.
2017July 30th to August 5th, The Mighty First Apostolic Council hosts the 102nd Annual Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, TN.
2018F.A.C. Elections, general and auxiliaries, were held on June 29th & 30th in Louisville, KY at the mother church, Greater Bethel Temple.
On Friday, June 29th, F.A.C. chairman, Suffragan Bishop Melvin A. Boyd, was presented a plaque and a love offering by Bishop Merritt and the general body in honor and thanks for his 11 years of fine leadership as the council chair.
In a letter sent to Diocesan Bishop Sherman L. Merritt, Suffragan Bishop George Burns announced that due to the condition of the church building/property in Nashville the Christ Temple North church property would be sold, and he would be discontinuing his pastorate which officially ended earlier that month on August 12th (2018).
On Saturday, November 17th, a Celebration of Excellence was held at the Nashville Airport Marriott, Cumberland Ballroom honoring Diocesan Bishop Sherman L. Merritt for 15 years of service. The guest speaker was Bishop Richard E. Young, 2nd Presiding Bishop of the P.A.W.
2019On Saturday, February 9th, in an unprecedented break from P.A.W. protocol and at the request of the former presider from Ohio, F.A.C. Diocesan Bishop Sherman L. Merritt preached the funeral of his good friend Honorable Bishop Paul A. Bowers in front of a capacity international crowd at Princeton Pike Church of God in Liberty Township, Ohio.
On April 9th, after a courageous battle with cancer Dr. Jackie G. Shannon pastor of the Good Shepherd Church in Hopkinsville, KY passed from labor to reward. A celebration of life service was held at 7 pm on Wednesday, April 17th at Grace Apostolic Church, Nashville, TN.
June 25th – 29th, the F.A.C. convened at the mother church Greater Bethel Temple in Louisville, KY, under the Diocesan’s newly given theme “The Year of Unexpected Blessings.” Suffragan Bishop Rader Johnson was the host pastor.
2020Due to COVID-19, the March & June council sessions were canceled.
On June 19th, Dr. Phyllis Scott, the wife of our former F.A.C. 4th Diocesan, Bishop Alphonso Scott, passed away.
Due to COVID-19, the P.A.W. Summer Convention scheduled for July 25th - August 1st in Baltimore, MD, was canceled.
On July 20th, our former F.A.C. 4th Diocesan, Bishop Alphonso Scott, passed away.
Due to COVID-19, the P.A.W. held its first virtual summer convention, July 29 -August 1, on Facebook with the theme of "God's Promise to Perform."
On August 1st, Lady Carol A. Boyd, the wife of the Late Honorable Bishop Melvin Boyd (F.A.C.’s 5th diocesan), passed away.
On November 1 the first female district elder of the First Apostolic Council of KY/TN, District Elder Anna E. Davis at Christ Temple New Assembly in Lexington,KY, passed away. A celebration of life service was held 12:00 noon on November 14th.
2021
January 1, Elder Rufus Woods, Sr. of Heaven Sent Ministries in Memphis, TN met his quietus. A celebration of life was held on January 11th at 11:00 am.
The P.A.W. held the 2021 Virtual Summer Convention, July 2 -July 31, on Facebook with the theme of "God's Promise to Perform."
On August 9th, Pastor Yvonne E. Bell of Lively Stone Church - South in Bowling Green, KY passed away. A celebration of life was held on August 20th, 2021.
On September 2nd, God called Elder Juan Hunter Sr. home. His celebration of life was held on September 11th at 12 pm Greater Bethel Temple in Louisville, KY.
2022
On July 7, First Lady Nancy Holland wife of Pastor Waverly Holland passed away. A celebration of life was held on July 16th at 1:00 pm at Newburg Apostolic Church.
2023