Our Story

The Jesus Name message first came to Herrick in 1926 by evangelist Bill Calhoun and his wife. A small group of believers held their first meeting in a vacant building which at one time was an old mill. That building was about a half-block from where the present church now stands. The pews were made of planks laid across concrete blocks. The only music was a tambourine, but the people sang joyfully. The meeting lasted about a week.

In 1928, another meeting of the Pentecostals came to Herrick, led by Elder George Sims. From this meeting a permanent congregation was established for the Jesus Name people. The meetings were well attended, filling the hall completely and many standing outside. Several were baptized in the name of Jesus during these meetings. The meetings went from weeks to months, and finally Elder Sims was asked to remain and build a church building. Land was obtained, and William W. Walker, a prominent builder in the area, drew plans for the edifice and was overseer of the work until it was completed in 1929. The church was then dedicated in 1929 during a 3-day conference held at Herrick Apostolic Church. Rev. Whittington and Rev. Ben Pemberton, both from St. Louis, were conference speakers. After the church had been set in order by these elders, meetings were held and the crowds extended to the outside of the building. Services were held every night over a period of time and many souls were baptized in Jesus’ Name and filled with the Holy Ghost.

Over the years, the Apostolic Church held periodical revival meetings and saw some church growth. However, the Depression Era caused the church to struggle financially, and slowly the church began its decline. By 1972, the church had dwindled to less than ten parishioners with services being held only on Sunday mornings. The church was about to close, when the congregation invited Rev. Eva Hunt to Pastor. In May, 1972, Rev. Eva Hunt conducted her first service with nine people in attendance. Rev. Hunt had been a business woman until her call into the ministry, and she had established the First United Pentecostal Church in Pana, Illinois until her retirement. So the challenge to revive Herrick Apostolic Church was readily accepted by a soldier of the cross. She preached faith and holiness and the work began to grow.

Easter Sunday, 1973, the church had an attendance of 118, and faith was mounting. Rev. Hunt had begun a remodeling program, adding restroom facilities and Sunday School rooms, costing $25,000.00 Upon completion, every bill was paid in full.

In 1972, Thomas W. Suey came to assist Rev. Hunt in the music department. In October, 1977, the Rev. Eva Hunt retired as pastor, and the congregation invited Thomas & Deborah Suey to accept the pastorate. In July, 1979, the congregation broke ground for the new church facilities. There were about 80 members faithfully attending Christ Tabernacle at this time. The new church was dedicated on September 20, 1979 by General Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church, International, and the Rev. Norman Paslay of Cincinnati, Ohio.

The church has flourished under the leadership of Pastor Thomas and Deborah Suey. The church that was dedicated in 1979 suddenly had become too small. With a weekly attendance of around 325, it was evident that a new sanctuary was needed. A third edifice, with a seating capacity of about 1,000, was erected in 1995. Because of our Lord Jesus Christ, this new sanctuary at Christ Tabernacle because a reality. Knowing that Gods works through His people, it was because of the thousands of dollars not only pledged, but faithfully given on a regular basis that the new sanctuary was erected. Furthermore, thousands of man-hours were given to this project.

Revival continues to sweep this little village as well over 750 people have been baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ from Herrick and the surrounding cities and villages!