HISTORY OF THE GOSPEL CENTER CHURCH

          In 1950, the Lord laid on the heart of Pastor Harold Head, to start a new work in Petersburg, Indiana.  Dr. Floyd Head (father of Harold Head) held a revival at Anderson Chapel.  At these services Mrs. Annalee, Carol and Samuel Hornbrook were saved.  John B. Willis had been saved in the Navy during World War II.  He was a dedicated soul winner.  He had agreed with Harold Head on the concept of the Gospel Center.  John and Pauline Willis, led by the Spirit, encouraged the formation of the new church.

          Scriptural accuracy was the basis for the constitution and doctrinal statement of the Gospel Center.  The Church was incorporated as a non-profit corporation in 1950.

          The first group included Mr. And Mrs. Earl Hornbrook, Carol and Samuel Hornbrook, Mrs. Earl Myers, Jean and Claudia, Oris and Thelma Cox, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Furman, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hornbrook, Luther Willis, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Songer, Miss Fay Sutton, Mr. and Mrs. Ferrell Sutton, Mrs. Emma Robling, Charles Robling, Jerry Songer, Ralph E. Tomson, Sophia Harbin, Roy Woolsey, Cletis Thomas, Brenda Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ferguson, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Chesser, Dr. and Mrs. Floyd Head, John and Pauline Willis, Mr. and Mrs. Blue Tisdale, Carmen Johnson, Mardeka Willis, Neaville Fettinger, Cletus and Omega Marsee, Mrs. Cleve Sutton, Irene Weintraut, Maggaie Pinnick, Charles and Jackie Finch, Aja Hollon, David Joe Willis, Orvis and Sibyl Bee, Jim and Mabel Booth, and Mr. and Mrs. Wes Welton.  Theses names were taken from the 1950-51 Pastor’s Class book.

          Gospel Center building number 1 was a 20x20 foot concrete block building at 207 N. Sixth Street, then in front of Hornbrook’s Garage.  Just the concrete floor of the building remains.

          Gospel Center building number 2, built in 1953-1954 on North Ninth Street (Highway 61), a 35x50 foot building with six classrooms.  A Sunday school building was erected North of the main building.  Later, two houses facing North Seventh Street were purchased.

          Gospel Center building number 3, the present building, erected on Illinois Street in 1984.

          The first ministers called and ordained were:  John R. Willis, Ralph Tomson and Samuel Hornbrook (The Hornbrooks are serving as Missionaries in Mexico).  Over the years, others who were called included Frank Furman, John Henson, Aja Hollon, William (Pud) Willis, Jerry Songer, Terry Hightower, Jim Weathers, Gary Jarvis, Steve Frederick, Timothy Young, and David Key.

          Some of our girls married ministers: Myra Chesser Hack, Beverly Willis Priest, Shirley Jerrell Proffitt, and Martha Willis Dean.

          John R. Willis and Terry Hightower served as Associate Pastors for many years at Gospel Center.  Jim Wade became Pastor when Pastor Harold retired in 1987.  Bill Cato served as Pastor from 1990 until 1995.  David Gross was Youth Minister during much of this time for Pastor Wade and Pastor Cato.  Steve Frederick became Pastor in February of 1996.

Copyright © 2004 Petersburg Gospel Center. All Rights Reserved.