Pentecostals of Centerville

History of Our Church

Elton Morrow served in the United States Army and Clyde Morrow served in the Air Force during WWII. In 1949, Elton Morrow married JoAnn Minnick. They had four children—Michael (died at birth), Bill, Lora, and Joel. Elton was a sinner—he drank and smoked, etc. God does not look at what you are—but what you can become. Elton was about to become a chosen vessel.

It was October 1957—Clyde and Colleen Morrow with their children Cathy and John came home on leave. Clyde was still in the Air Force stationed in Crestview, Florida. Clyde and Colleen had been baptized in Jesus Name and
filled with the Holy Ghost. They felt impressed of the Lord to bring the salvation message to their families. Clyde’s brother, Glenn, had rented a building on “pill row” North 12th Street across from the taverns that Clyde and his other brothers once frequented. Clyde borrowed some folding chairs from the high school and held a revival in the building called “The House of Prayer”. Colleen talked Elton into attending revival services. The Spirit of the Lord was so powerful that six people were baptized in Jesus Name in the Chariton River east of Centerville. They were Clyde’s mother, Mattie Morrow, his mother-in-law, Sylvia Miller, his brother Elton Morrow, Bobby Thomas, Viola Vandemark, and Bessie Davis. Clyde and his family returned to Florida. Elton received the Holy Ghost in the Open
Bible Church in November 1957.

Clyde came back on another leave in February 1958 and baptized his sister, Violet Lewis and his sister-in-law, JoAnn Morrow in the baptistry at the First Baptist Church. Violet received the Holy Ghost that day, and JoAnn
received the Holy Ghost in March. Elton felt “the call” of God on his life. There was no church building so he and his family attended services at various locations including The House of Prayer and Floyd Coop’s church, The Apostolic Emmanuel Mission. It was through Brother Coop that the Morrows met Elder John Waits from Des Moines, Iowa. In the summer of 1958, Clyde returned again on a leave and rented the house on Green Street
to hold services in. Elton was working in the coal mines driving the ponies when he broke his leg. He wrote to Elder Fuller (in Ottumwa) requesting a prayer cloth. When he put the cloth in his boot, the Lord immediately healed his leg. He returned the borrowed crutches declaring the healing power of God. For financial reasons, the church was moved to the Morrow home at 1712 South Main Street. Services were held there until Clyde was discharged from the service. In March 1961 we rented a store front building at 1204 West Washington. The church was called “UPC of the Living God—Jesus is the Name.”

In May 1961, $5.00 was put down on two lots on South 20th and we began building a church at 1401 South 20th. We later purchased two additional lots. We began holding services at the new location in November 1961. The church was dedicated on December 9, 1961. Visiting ministers were Presbyter Brother Dainty, Brother Lumpkin, Brother Burton, Brother John Waits, and Brother Jack Weatherly.

January 3, 1962 Apostolic Pentecostal Church became the official name of the local assembly. Those attending church in 1962 were: Clyde Morrow family, Mattie Morrow, Elton Morrow family, Ellis Russell family, Viola Vandemark and David, Margaret Williamson and children, Sylvia Miller, Lyle Lee family, David Triplett, Frances Davis and daughters, Ivy McCutcheon, Bill Phipps, Sally Coffin and children, Raymond and Nancy Clark, Eva Lee, and Connie Clark. Pauline Russell, Brian Russell, Sally Coffin, and Patricia Creagan were baptized in 1962. The church was affiliated with UPCI and supported Harvesttime and Camp Galilee.

“May God give us men in the pulpit who know they are not business executives contemplating gain and loss, neither master of ceremonies presiding over entertainment, nor diplomats arranging a truce between creeds, or nations, but in fact and power –prophets declaring an ultimatum.” Brother Clyde Morrow, October 26, 1962.

November 1962, Elton received his license from the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World for the purpose of starting a daughter work in Mystic, Iowa. Elton was the assistant pastor and adult Sunday school teacher since March 1961. We purchased a building on Main Street in Mystic and began remodeling. We continued to attend church in Centerville. The first service of The Apostolic Faith Church of Mystic, Iowa was held on Saturday, May 30, 1964 with approximately 40 people present. Elder John Waits of Des Moines was the evening speaker.

In May of 1964, Lyle Lee and his family moved to Missouri and Ellis Russell and his family moved to Maquoketa, Iowa. There were several visitors to the Apostolic Pentecostal Church including Beverly Jackson (Russell) who lived with the Elton Morrow family. Leona Beer and Ferry Schiltz were baptized in November 1964.

Brother Elton continued to hold services in Mystic until February 1965 when Brother Clyde Morrow and his family moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Brother Elton was installed as the pastor on April 8,1965 and the church became affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. We had fellowship meetings on the 3rd Saturday of each month with the churches in Knoxville, Iowa—Bishop Ray Briggs, Des Moines, Iowa—Elder John Waits, and
Colfax, Iowa—Brother Jack Weatherly.

In 1968, Ellis Russell and his family moved back to Centerville, along with their daughter Elizabeth Clark and her family.

When Elder Wait’s church in Des Moines suffered a devastating fire in 1969, Brother Elton went to Des Moines to help rebuild the church. In the first service in the sanctuary, Lora Morrow received the Holy Ghost. The church in Centerville was blessed with indoor plumbing in 1969. We held a council meeting of the Tri-State Council in a large tent on the lot south of the church building.

Elder Morrow of Centerville, Bishop Briggs of Knoxville, Elder Waits of Des Moines decided to purchase 20 acres outside of Attica, Iowa for a church camp. It was hard work clearing off the brush. A kitchen and dining room was built. A circus tent was used for services. We did not have electricity, but used a generator. We hauled water in for drinking. The first year of camp, tents were used for most children, but later metal buildings were purchased for the girls camp. Several families brought their campers and an old school bus was also used for sleeping rrangements. Many people volunteered their time for classes, crafts, hiking—especially to the strip mines and the covered bridge (thanks Sister Caroline Waits), swimming, fishing at the frog pond, rap sessions, and nightly services. Pastor Waits preached his first sermon at camp. Several children were baptized and received the Holy Ghost.

In 1970. Ellis Russell and his family moved to St. Louis, Missouri. By 1971, the Morrow family, Alfred Johnson, Alice Osterlund, and Sally Coffin were the only members. Times were tough, but Elder Morrow never got discouraged or wanted to close the doors. He continued to do outreach including manning the phones for the Crisis Hotline and holding AA meetings.

The Lord continued to bless Elder Morrow and in 1974, he was able to finish the north end of the church which was used for a sanctuary and the older part was used for Sunday school classes, kitchen, and a fellowship hall. Myree Soto (Gram) moved to Centerville along with her daughter, Frances McCreery. The Lord also sent a piano player from Clarksburg, West Virginia Sister Dee Bandy and her daughters, Adena(DeeKay) and Starla Lewis. Beverly Jackson (Russell) also moved back to Centerville.

Elder John Waits and Sister Waits moved to Centerville following his heart attack, and became the assistant pastor.

Elder Morrow had a stroke and passed away January 8,1983. He did not have the opportunity to meet all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but was blessed to share time with Valerie and Stefanie. Bill and Carma Morrow Valerie (Morrow) Howell, Sean, Britany, Nathan Stefanie Morrow Jeff Hamilton Lora (Morrow) Kelly and Tim and Chris Joel Morrow, Jeremiah and Julie.

Pastor’s of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Centerville
Elton Morrow, 58-end of 82
Elder Waits, Jan 83-June 85
Donnie Waits (Darlene) Aug. 85- April 87
Barricks Aug 87-April 89
Leonard Martens, Late 1989-1992
Pastor Mark Waits, 1995-now

91- Win one in 91, brought back Bro Donnie, Barrick & Bro Clyde Morrow for “Reunion”

God requires us to be faithful. From 1992 to 1995, even without a pastor, we remained faithful and God continued His work in Centerville, Iowa. Visiting ministers from surrounding churches preached to us, and Sister Caroline Waits held Bible studies on Wednesday nights. On occasion, we drove to Brother Baker’s church in Ottumwa for the preaching, and fellowship—where we met Brother Bill and Sister Sandy Thompson. Brother Billy Hughey held many revivals for us. He would go out on visitation inviting young and old alike to church. He even mowed the church lawn when he was in town.

Brother Clyde and Sister Colleen Morrow came also for services and to baptized souls including Dorothy West and Marge Barber. Sister Ruth Plunkett moved to Seymour with her daughter and began attending services faithfully. She was such a blessing.

During this time, the Lord was preparing a man and his wife for the ministry in Centerville. Pastor Mark Waits and Sister Debbie Waits with their children, Nancy, Crystal, John, Mark Zachary, and Tim became our current pastoral family on April 26, 1995.

We purchased 1307-9 W. Washington on June 28, 1996. And the Lord added to the church daily such as would be saved...