Our Founders

Senior District Elder Jesse L. Watts, Sr.

Sister Frazzie Watts

 

Grace Gospel Temple Church, �built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF, being the CHIEF CORNERSTONE.� (Ephesians 2:20)

          

          An affiliate of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (Headquarters, Indianapolis, Indiana), and the Midwestern District Council (Headquarters, St. Louis), was founded here in Saint Charles in the spring of 1966. However, public worship services were not held until the first Sunday in October of the same year. The first place of public worship was held in the lower level of the Educational Building of Mount Zion Baptist Church at 420 North Benton Avenue.


          In the spring of 1967, the Lord enabled the "little flock" to move into their first building, at 816 Adams Street. "There the Lord begin to move and add to the church such as should be saved." In the summer of 1976, larger facilities were acquired in the purchase of the property at 508 Clark Street. There extensive renovations were accomplished while the Lord continued to provide and add to the church.


          It was in the year of 1987, that the congregation was inspired to finance the building of a church in the Philippine Islands, and later inspired to build a new edifice there at Fifth and Clark Streets. After obtaining the blue prints and engaging a contractor to build, the property at 2403 and 2407 Droste Road was offered. In May of 1989, the negotiations were consummated. It has been forty years of God's love channeled through this edifice to the people near and far. Today, by the grace of God, we are here. "HAVING THEREFORE OBTAINED HELP OF GOD I (WE) CONTINUE UNTO THIS DAY.' (Acts 26:22a)