Our History

Our Beginnings

The House of Prayer to all Nations of the Pentecostal Faith had it's beginning in the year 1952. A small group of God-fearing saints, under the leadership of the late Elder Edward Gillispie, while seeking a closer walk with the Lord were directed by God concerning the baptism in water in the name of Jesus Christ. They contacted the Late Bishop Phillip Lee Scott, then Elder Scott of Lively Stone Church of God of the Apostolic Faith of St. Louis Mo. who expounded to them the word of God more perfectly and baptized them in Jesus name.

Having already received the Holy Ghost these God-anointed saints began to teach the Apostolic Doctrine as revealed to them. In the year 1953, with the health of Elder Gillispie failing, the mantle was passed on to another great man of God, Elder Harold Clemons, Sr. It was under the leadership of Elder Clemons that this group of saints moved from the basement of Sister Adams home, one of the faithful members, to their first building located at 4012 Bond, Alorton, Illinois. It was also under the pastorate of Elder Clemons that this group took on the name of House of Prayer to all Nations of the Pentecostal Faith. It is by that name this church is recognized today.

After Elder Clemons left the Illinois area to work in another portion of God's vineyard, the Lord yet smiled on this group of survivors, and in the year 1963 sent them another great man of God in the person of the Late Dist. Eld. John H. Pettiford, Sr. He faithfully and progressively led the church in the way God would have them go until May 1979 when his health began to fail him. At that time God saw fit to place at the helm of this great people Elder John H. Pettiford, Jr. (now Suffragan Bishop).

God has blessed this assembly of such a humble beginning to continue and survive in such a time as this and they can truly say "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." We have come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord. "Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:" Acts 26:22.