First Assembly of God
243 Cumberland Ave, Portland, ME 04101. Phone: 207-774-2415
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
Touching Lives ... Spanning Generations
It was in divine love and wisdom that First Assembly of God was established to touch many generations in the city of Portland, the largest in the state of Maine.
Probably, the founder of the First Assembly of God, 243 Cumberland Ave, Portland, knew little about what the future of the church would be when it was started in 1908. This is when the Lord gave a burden to Rev Aurther Chase to reach people for Christ starting with 12 persons in attendance at the first gathering.
It was on a Sunday afternoon, at a rented space at the Swedish Baptist Church on Wilmot Steet in Portland, that a soon-to-be a vibrant congregation began and has spanned many generations.
The church was formed under the name of Apostolic Faith Assembly, which in later years went through several name changes. The dramatic growth of the church resulted in the permanance of the current location at 243 Cumberland Ave., with the purchasing of a house and a barn from Rev. Payson in 1917.
The current sanctuary was built and dedicated to the worship of the Lord on Sept. 8, 1918. Rev. Smith remained the shepherd of this congregation until his promotion to Glory in 1925. Rev. James Hicks, the next pastor of this congregation, changed the name to Hephzibah Pentecostal Church. For 20 years, the congregation experienced continued growth under the ministry of Rev. Hicks including a Bibile school and tent ministry. Following his promotion to Glory in 1945, Rev. L Bernard Hinman became the pastor of this congregation and changed the name to First Assembly of God. His faithful service lasted 55 years until his promotion to glory in Sept. 2000.
Rev. Paul E Johnson, a graduate of Hephzibah Bible School and the son-in-law of Rev. Hicks, became the interim pastor until Rev. M.S. Abraham became the pastor.
Except for weather related cancellations, the church has not cancelled services. nor closed or moved since 1918 - a unique feature of First Assembly of God. If Christ tarries, we trust God would use this church to impact many more generations to come.