Peering through time we find ourselves before the Full Gospel Assembly of God Church. It began with a seismic jolt not of earth but of spirit. The 1906 Pentecostal earthquake at the Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles rippled eastward. It shook Washington D.C. in 1906 and 1907.
This spiritual shockwave started when women read the Azusa Street Mission’s Apostolic Faith newspaper. They acted upon its reports. Their actions birthed an influential church. That church was the Full Gospel Assembly.
For decades the Full Gospel Assembly or FGA greatly impacted the nation’s capital. It communicated the gospel of Jesus Christ. This happened in the context of Pentecostal renewal. Today some scholars call this Christian renewal tradition Pentecostalism. Defining Pentecostalism precisely is difficult. Some even speak of multiple Pentecostalisms.
Unlike many powerful churches FGA couldn’t claim presidential attendees. Yet its growth spiritual fervor and transformational expectation were unmatched. The Full Gospel Assembly was indeed special.
Pentecostals were more about making history than writing it. They were long on action and short on reflection. The Washington Post highlighted the church’s city-wide influence in May 1927. It noted FGA’s moves from a small crowded space near the wharf. It moved to the old Salvation Army building on Pennsylvania Avenue. Then it moved to a visible spot near Union Station. The article portrayed FGA’s transition positively. It recognized its accomplishments.
FGA emerged from a transforming American religious landscape. It preached an old-time religion. This religion included Pentecostal theology popular religious themes evangelistic zeal missions and Pentecostal experiences. This form of Christianity grew in the early 20th century. Pentecostalism gained ground in cities and rural areas. It thrived in key locations like New York Los Angeles and Chicago.
Harry Lee Collier planned a thought-provoking sermon for a Sunday evening in February 1927. It was titled “A Marvelous Stirring Among the Virgins.” The text is lost but the title suggests Collier saw a unique calling in women’s ministry. Women at FGA freely preached the Word of God. Newspapers and religious periodicals announced and praised their spiritual impact.
FGA adapted to social norms in Washington D.C.. This was a time of increasing segregation. Jim Crow laws were becoming more common. Initially black and white people worshiped together in racially mixed meetings. They encountered the Holy Spirit together. But as Jim Crow’s influence grew black people began attending black churches. White people attended white churches.
Cultural Historian Peter Gay honored forgotten heroes. This story of FGA aims to do the same. It recovers a forgotten history. It tells the tale of heroic people. May others continue this work. May they share stories of other faith communities. This is especially true in Charismatic Christianity or Pentecostalism. Historical reflection on local churches is lacking.
Perhaps leaders should reflect on the sacrifices of past figures. They should do this before it’s too late. They should remember these nearly forgotten men and women. They should balance management techniques with honoring the past. The Full Gospel Assembly of God Church stands as a testament to faith community and transformation.