Located at 6 Princess Street in the Heart of Montego Bay, the local assembly, which we now know as Faith Temple, had its genesis in a small bible study and prayer group on love lane, at the home of Mrs. Thomas Glover. Faith Temple now boasts a beautiful edifice but like kernel it grew from the fervent heart of this simple woman of God. Mrs. Glover was influenced by the revival fire, which had broken out on Azusa Street in the early 20th Century. She was an early convert to the emergent Pentecostal movement, which became know as the Assemblies of God and one of the main tenets of this early movement was a commitment to evangelism and church planting. Mrs. Glover soon became a member of the Glad tidings Assembly of God in New York. On returning to Jamaica in 1936 from New York, where she had lived for a while, she with two of her friends, Mr. and Mrs. Hemmings began a mission here.

On January 7, 1937, the ministry opened its doors and like a fire, news of the work of Mrs. Glover spread across Jamaica as the new converts began to experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the power of God in their lives, in a small way reenacting the experience of Azusa Street. Within a year the group relocated with Mrs. Glover to her new home in at Upper King Street. The meetings were now held on the Verandah at her home and as the group grew rapidly, an alternative venue for worship had to be found. It was now evident that a new congregation had to be born and Mrs. Glover not to be outdone donated a plot of land on which a building was erected to house the fledging congregation. This first Assembly was named “Bethel” The House of God.

 
Mrs. Glover later return to the United States of America and the Assembly came under the charge of Mrs. Hanna Clarke who became the first advisory member of the Executive Presbytery of the Assemblies of God in Jamaica. Thus the Assemblies of God in Jamaica began its first ministry in Western Jamaica, And specifically in Montego Bay.
Not much information is left behind about this early period as many of the original members are no longer with us but we are sure that the work continued. The pioneering spirit did not leave with the Glovers as among the early converts were Mrs. Kathleen Scott who went to pioneer a church in Orange and Pastor Lloyd who started the work in Plumb Tree, Hampton both in St.James. Another early member Rev. Henry Clarke also pioneered the work in Tower Hill and his wife started the work in Lethe. There was also Rev. Kenneth Donalds who moved in Westmoreland and did extensive work there. He later became the first Superintendent in 1979. Rev. Edwin Foster Now the Oldest living original member pioneered the work in Summerfield, Clarendon where he is still the Pastor.

 The Missionaries 1953-1968-Consolidation

The congregation had outgrown its Kings Street location for a period of one year worship was held in the Town Hall. In 1953 the church was relocated to 9 Barnett Street. This move was presided over by Rev. and Mrs. Griffin who came as missionaries from the United States and was instrumental in the purchase of a cinema house previously a rum store which was converted into the new assembly. This new congregation was renamed Faith Temple. Thus began the period of Missionaries.
The work of early pioneers was consolidated under the able leadership of several missionaries from the United States.
Mr and Mrs. Griffin were assisted in their work by the Rev. Cowell, Rev. Paul Davidson, and Rev. Robert Ferguson and as Mrs. Pearson who is instrumental in stabilizing the church during a period brief turmoil Brother Michael Foster, a Jamaican served as Assistant Pastor from 1953-1954 after the Griffin return to the states.
In 1954 the Rev. Paul Goodwin arrived in Jamaica and served as Pastor for the next seven years. Under his leadership the church was reorganized. On the first of April 1956, Faith Temple was made a fully sovereign body, with all rights and privileges, to govern itself as an autonomous unit, of the Assemblies of God in Jamaica, thus giving structure and legitimacy to the work that had started in 1937. During the seven - year tenure of the Goodwins , an Executive Board was instituted. New ministries, such as the Christ Ambassadors department, which blossomed into a vital youth arm of the church, and the choir was established. Sunday school became more structured and organized. When it was near the departure of the Goodwins, the Ilnisky’s who had first visited the church in December 1958 returned with six young persons from the United States and served together with the Goodwins until they left in July 1961. The Ilnisky began their tenure soon after and served as Pastor from that time until May 1968.
The Ilnisky served with great vigor and enthusiasm. Under their leadership the church moved into a new era. It was a time for action and service. During their stay the parsonage was built as the Sanctuary refurnished and rededicated in October1965. This new team of wife and husband provided Faith Temple with its own constitution and By-laws. There was a place in their hearts for the men and boys of the community. The Men’s fellowship and the Royal Rangers were formed. Thus paving the way for growth of what has continued to be a strong men’s group in Faith Temple. After the Ilnisky migrated in 1968, Faith Temple again reverted to Jamaican leadership, when Brother Calvin Hibbert was given charge of the work in June of that same year. Pastor Hibbert and his family remain with this Ministry until 1973. Under this leadership the church once again relocated to its present home on Princess Street. Pastor Hibbert sustained the momentum of the work started by his predecessors. For the Church it was a time of fellowship, camaraderie, and long standing friendships were built as the congregation matured. Some of these friendships have endured the passing of time and many of these past members still retain strong links with Faith Temple although they are now living abroad.

 

From 1973-1987 Faith Temple passed through a period of testing and changed. Pastor Hibbert resigned in 1973 and Dan Cuffle replaced him as Pastor from 1974-1977. Pastor Cuffle’s strength was in ministry to children. Who can forget ‘Toot, toot, train on Sunday mornings and the children riding on his back as he moves towards the front of the church to greet the adults each Sunday morning? When he departed in 1977 a void was created in the ministry to the children. Rev. Richard Lawson rose to the occasion and served the church until1979 when a new Pastor Rev. Lenox Powell was appointed. Rev. Powell came to us from a church of God background. He was a dynamic communicator and a man of the people and to him must be given the credit for bringing the church into a Jamaican mould and style of worship more in keeping with our Afro- Caribbean heritage.
It was during this period the clapping of hands and tambourines and drums set became a common part of our worship. The spontaneous and vigorous outward expression of worship was also cemented under his leadership. Rev. Powell’s powerful ministry came to a close in 1985 and Rev. Everton Lawrence who served as Assistant Pastor with Rev. Powell, filled the gap. In1986, a new pastor Rev. John Gordon; a young and dynamic preacher was appointed. He has had the distinction of being the youngest and shortest serving pastor of the Church. He left in 1987 after serving for only one year. After his departure the faithful and long standing member, Rev. Everton Lawrence again held the Church together.

 

 

On September 1, 1988 the reins of leadership was passed from Rev. Everton Lawrence to Rev. Conrad Pitkin who was supported by his wife Deverly Pitkin and Family. Rev. Pitkin, a Dynamic Pentecostal Preacher after old Pentecostalism has remained with us up to present time. To him has been given the honor of the longest serving Pastor of Faith Temple. A dominant leader and able administrator, he has survived the challenges of serving a strong and confident congregation that has remained faithful to the pentecostal tradition. Under his ministry the church has seen many changes and has passed from the 20th century to the new millennium. There are many significant achievements of the church under his leadership, one of which is the complete transformation of the old edifice to what we have today. The membership and ministries have also expanded and educational facilities were also erected for the growth of the mind and intellect. Pastor Pitkin has served with a mind to build and he has! Community involvement, health, skills training, leadership, seminars, church planting, literacy and latterly discipleship have been his heartbeat. He continues to serve with energy, commitment and a vision for the future.

 

Today, Faith Temple shines as a beacon in Montego Bay in general and the Jackson Town community in particular. Our achievements as a Church would not have been possible without the Pastors and leaders, men and women who committed themselves to the work of the Lord. Above all, heart felt thanks must be given to God through the work of Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit who gives power for us to become witnesses to the world in which we live. Seventy-five years of ministry has not diminished the desire to be of service to God and our fellowmen. Our mandate remains the same, “Go ye therefore into all the world and make disciples of every creature.” Methods may change but the word of God stands immutable. Mrs. Thomas Glover is no longer with us but the work she started has remained.
FAITH TEMPLE, a church, from a humble beginning to a strong and powerful church for the 21st century.