A tent revival in the early days of the First United Pentecostal Church of Ravenswood. The church is celebrating its 70th anniversary. (Photo Provided)

RAVENSWOOD — The First United Pentecostal Church of Ravenswood is celebrating its 70th anniversary.

The year was 1955 and the Rev. and Mrs. Billy Cole erected a 40-by-60 foot tent on Sand Street in Ravenswood. The tent belonged to the West Virginia District of the United Pentecostal Church.

The Coles held a month-long revival. Mrs. Cole played the accordion providing music for the services.

One of the families began donating wood to build a church. A lot was donated to build a church behind a house in North Ravenswood on Henrietta Street where a 24-by-40 foot structure was built.

The building remains to this day and is used as a rented dwelling.

The Rev. David and Crystal Johnston of the First United Pentecostal Church of Ravenswood. The church, established in 1955, is celebrating its 70th anniversary. (Photo Provided)

The Coles remained until 1960. They began evangelizing, eventually going to Thailand as missionaries.

Over the years, while there were some interim pastors, since 1955 there have been four pastors and their wives who have remained at the First United Pentecostal Church.

In the late sixties, the Rev. Russell Long and his family accepted the pastorate. Under Long’s leadership, the church bought property on Hemlock Road, starting construction in September 1968.

The first service in the new church was held in January 1969.

In December 1975, the Rev. Frank Adkins, his wife LaVona and their three children, Crystal, Chris and Carrissa, came to try out for the church. They were voted in unanimously and their first official service as pastor was on Feb. 3, 1976.

As the congregation outgrew the sanctuary, the Adkinses had a vision to build a larger facility. The dedication of the new addition was in June 1996

The current pastor and his wife, David and Crystal Johnston, have served the Ravenswood congregation since August 1997, officially stepping into the role of pastor on Jan. 1, 2000. As the new pastor, Johnston felt the need to continue the vision of his father-in-law, the Rev. Frank Adkins. In March 2001, ground was broken for the new Sunday School addition. The project was built by the men of the church from the foundation up. The new addition would house new Sunday School classes, the pastor’s office, two bathrooms, an evangelist quarters and additional storage.

Pastor and Mrs. Johnston have served the Pentecostal congregation for over 25 years

“Our mission is still the same. Over the past 70 years, people have walked into the church looking for a better way,” he said. “It is rewarding watching people, in need of hope, find it through the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

If the Lord tarries, the First United Pentecostal church will continue reaching upward and outward, he said.

In honor of 70 years of ministry, the First United Pentecostal Church will celebrate and recognize the years of labor and prayer and what God has brought to pass.

On Sunday, Aug. 3, the Rev. Jeff Long from Georgia will be ministering. Long is the son of the Rev. Russell Long who pastored in the late 60s. Long is excited about being a part of celebrating a milestone that was possible by the ministry of his father.

On Aug. 10, the Rev. Daniel Garlitz will be ministering. Garlitz is the former superintendent of the West Virginia/Western Maryland District of the United Pentecostal Church international. In the early 2000s, Garlitz visited the Ravenswood church. He joined the men on a Saturday and with a hammer in hand helped to build the Sunday School addition.

The final service will be Aug. 17 and will be the anniversary service. The Rev. Greg Hurley, superintendent of the West Virginia/Western Maryland District of United Pentecostal Church international, will preach at the anniversary service. Following the service, a dinner will be served for those in attendance.

Previous attendants of the church and families are invited to this celebration. The congregation would like to have all the early families represented at the church.