From meetings that began in August 1889, through the efforts of Vivian Dake and his Pentecost Band number 11 (Fannie Birdsall, Minnie Baldwin, May Wessels, and leader Rena Brown), the Free Methodist Church in Urbana was organized on October 25, 1889...

"Meeting was opened at Urbana, Ill., Aug. 30th, with No.11 in charge. They found that there was a famine in the place, “ Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but ot hearing the words of the Lord.” Amos 8:11. The people as a rule were of the working class; but among all classes there wTere anxious inquirers after the truth. The band held their first meeting on the street at four P. M., where a large crowd gathered who seemed interested. In the evening another street meeting was held, followed bv service at the hall, which was a time of interest.

The meetings increased in power until a wave of salvation swept over the place. The old-time slaying power was manifested. The congregations were very large, and one Sunday night, the floor near the pulpit settled an inch or more, and the meetings were at once moved to the basement of the Universalist church. At the end of one month the doors were closed against them there. They then found an old store building and fitted it up and set up their banner there in the name of the Lord.  There was some interesting cases recorded.

One Saturday afternoon as the workers were holding a street meeting, two men from Ohio, who were machine agents, came near and heard the service and came to the hall in the evening to learn more of the way. It was given out on that evening that on the next day an old-fashioned class meeting would be held. These two men decided to be present and find out what it was like. They came, but as the leader questioned the professors as to their experiences, they felt they could not stand the tests. Both professed religion and one of them was an M. E. class leader. The Lord let light and conviction on both of them and they returned to the meeting in the afternoon, went to the altar and were both saved. Some time after, they received light on worldly conformity in dress and laid aside their gold and other showy articles of attire and became very useful in the work of winning souls. They were so overjoyed at the experiences they had received that they sent to Ohio for their wives, who came and were also saved...

..One fashionable lady was so convicted of pride by the Spirit of the Lord, that she took her stylish bonnet from her head and threw it into the fire, then her finger rings met the same fate. On thus completely renouncing her idols, she found peace with God at once. People stood up all over the house and looked on in wonder. Young converts only a few days in grace were prostrated under soul burden for the lost. Five were saved that evening and much conviction felt. The friends of some of those who were prostrated were frightened and came and picked them up and laid them on the seats and tried to revive them with water. The interest continued for some time. The hall they occupied was much too small and they began to think of building a church...

..The meeting at Urbana which No. 11 were holding, continued through January, February and part of March. The church building was completed, and dedicated Feb. 16th by Superintendent G. W. Coleman. God came in much blessing at the dedicatory services. There were six hundred dollars to be raised before the house could be dedicated. This was undertaken with the assistance of chairman Noland. About four hundred dollars were raised at the morning service. In the evening the balance was secured. The workers continued to hold meetings in the new church until March 9th, when they closed, after having labored there a little over six months. A class of thirty-four members was organized and a neat church erected. The work was left in charge of Rev. James Murphree." (from Vivian Dake, pp. 225-227 & 244)

 

Since those early days, the location has taken different shapes, but all in the response to God's Living Word.  From marching down 3 Main Street to Gere's Hall over the Dry Good's store, to John and Hannah Thornborn's property (1889-1896), to 912 W. Springfield Avenue (1896-1967), to 902 Springfield Avenue (1969-1991), to our current location at 1913 S. Mattis Avenue, Champaign, IL (1992-Present).

 

 

We pray God would continue to transform lives, homes, community, and world as more people come to discover His Word, His Love, and His Spirit. There is hope, healing and freedom in Jesus’ name!