From humble beginnings in a storefront on 42nd Street Evangel Church stands as a testament to faith and perseverance. In 1933 Reverend Evan S Williams answered a divine calling. He established a church in Northwest Queens. This area held summer street meetings for many years. There wasn’t a neighborhood church. The church first resided in a small storefront. A year later it moved to Steinway Street. Pastor Williams a skilled builder oversaw the construction of the Gospel Tabernacle in 1936. Summer tent meetings continued along with street meetings parades and picnics. The church thrived under his leadership sending many into full-time ministry.
In 1965 Robert Johansson a pastor from upstate New York assumed leadership. Pastor Williams at 74 stepped back to missionary work in Haiti. He passed away a year later. Under Pastor Johansson’s guidance Evangel Church experienced significant growth. Three building programs expanded the facilities culminating in a multipurpose educational building in 1980. This building quickly filled requiring two Sunday services. Video overflow in the gymnasium became necessary. Finding suitable property in New York City proved a formidable challenge. Faced with this Evangel Church chose to remain in the city.
After seven years of prayer God provided a solution a former public school building. This 43000 square foot building was situated on 1 1/2 acres. It was across the East River from Manhattan in the heart of Queens Plaza. The acquisition involved a miraculous exchange. The church traded its existing building and one million dollars for the new property. A massive renovation project followed. The congregation dubbed it Operation Nehemiah. For two years they volunteered tirelessly. They renovated the old school into a new worship space.
On March 5 1989 the doors of the new location on Crescent Street opened. The church was renamed Evangel Church an Assembly of God church open to all. Soon three Sunday services were needed. Pastor Johansson envisioned a complete new facility including a sanctuary offices fellowship hall staff apartments and a gymnasium. Groundbreaking for this ambitious project occurred on Easter 1996. On June 6 1999 the new sanctuary opened accommodating 2000 people for the dedication.
Today Evangel Church is one of Queens’ largest churches. It boasts a diverse congregation representing 82 nations. The facilities include a sanctuary for 1800 people a gymnasium church offices and a highly regarded Christian school. Evangel Christian School opened in 1985. It has over 550 students from pre-kindergarten through high school. It’s one of the city’s few evangelical Christian high schools. Evangel Church continues its ministry reaching out to the community and those in need through various outreaches. This includes a community pantry homeless and prison outreach and more. Evangel Church stands as a beacon of faith in the heart of New York City a testament to the power of prayer perseverance and community.