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One woman's vision laid foundation for Pentecostal Church
Reprinted from The Packet, Monday, July 21, 1997.
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The Pentecostal Chruch in Clarenville began as one woman's
dream. The late Mrs. Dulcie Balsom (wife of Alfred John
Balsom) had a vision of a Pentecostal Church in Clarenville.
During the late 1940s, Mrs. Balsom began conducting cottage
meetings in her home. As the popularity of these
gatherings began to grow, open air meetings - conducted by
Pastors William Gillette, Raymond Pelley and others - were later
held in various areas of Clarenville. |
Where it all began. Sister Dulcie
Balsom's home.
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Special church services were held in the Orange Hall, situated on
Church Hill in Clarenville. But eventually, the fledgling
congregation saw the need for a place to call their own.
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First Pentecostal Church.
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On August 26, 1950, Mrs. Balsom started a little
church measuring 20 feet by 30 feet on what is now known as
Balsom Street. Five pastors from various Pentecostal
churches came to help build the new church, which opened on
November 26, 1950. |
The congregation began holding Sunday schoold classes as soon as the
church was opened. Among the first to attend services in the new
church were Job Easton and family, Reg Stringer and family, and Mr. and
Mrs. William Blundon. Water baptism services were held by the
former cable station.
The first resident pastor at the Pentecostal church was Pastor Gerald
French from Bay Roberts, followed by Sister Nita Belbin and Sister
Jossie Hamilton. Sister Belbin was later joined by Sister Ida
Noble.
Other pastors stationed in Clarenville were Pastor Arthur Loder and
family, Sister Penney and Sister Strange, Pastor Robert Lidstone, Pastor
Carl Stratton, Pastor Gradon Giles and Pastor Joseph Whalen.
| The last church building was located on Leslie
Street. This building was initiated by Pastor Homer Burt
in 1965. A number of pastors ministered in this building,
including Pastor and Mrs. L. A. Roberts, Pastor Robert Hamlyn,
Pastor and Mrs. N. A. Vaters.
Others include Pastor Winston Osmond, Pastor H. G. Holloway,
Pastor and Mrs. Guy Hillier, and Pastor and
Mrs. David Hamel and Present Pastors Baine and Wavey Andrews, and also Pastors Jason and Cynthia Martin.
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Last church building on Leslie Street.
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This assembly inspired others in the congregation to go into
full-time ministry. Some local young people who have gone on in
the Pentecostal Church are Rita Easton (Stuckless) and her sister, Ruth
Easton (McNielly), Rex and Karen Stringer (Roberts), Chesley Jacobs,
Gilbert Holloway, Glenn and Enid Chaulk, Cathy Wheeler, and Tammy
Crocker.
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Present day church building,
Trinity Crescent.
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On Sunday, March 28, 1999 the congregation of
Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle officially opened and dedicated a
new church building. The new building is located on
Trinity Crescent, situated opposite the Clarenville shopping
centre. |
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