How it all started...
The history of Palmer Church of God began with a young, devout woman named Bessie Cupples, who answered the call to be a missionary to the mining camps and villages of Alaska. Bessie made several trips to Alaska, eventually meeting her husband, A.O. Wells. Bessie continued to fast and pray for the gospel to be shared in Alaska. She wrote to the Church of God Board of Church Extension in Anderson, Indiana, which sent D.W. Patterson, who started holding services in the fall of 1935. The first official pastors were George and Marie Geiwitz. Worship services were first held in a laundry tent, then in homes, until the first building in Palmer, called the Valley Chapel, was constructed in 1936. The current church building was constructed in 1984, with the extension built in 2005.
The founding pastor of Palmer Church of God was intent on connecting with the believers and community around him. There was a suggestion of a statewide camp meeting, which was well received and continues to this day. Annually, all the Church of God churches in the State meet to encourage and connect at Family Camp in the summer.
The founding pastor of Palmer Church of God was intent on connecting with the believers and community around him. There was a suggestion of a statewide camp meeting, which was well received and continues to this day. Annually, all the Church of God churches in the State meet to encourage and connect at Family Camp in the summer.
Expanding the vision...
As we continue to grow in vision, with unity of mind and spirit, our longing is for Holy Spirit's presence to continually be evident in such a way that lives are changed both in our Church body and community.
Together we are growing as a Church to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community through the Palmer Church of Food Pantry and other Spirit-led community outreaches. We are also growing in our knowledge, relationship, and experience of the person of Holy Spirit. Our mission is to grow and equip Christ followers who will then go out and follow the Great Commission, sharing the love of Jesus with others and discipling them.
Together we are growing as a Church to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community through the Palmer Church of Food Pantry and other Spirit-led community outreaches. We are also growing in our knowledge, relationship, and experience of the person of Holy Spirit. Our mission is to grow and equip Christ followers who will then go out and follow the Great Commission, sharing the love of Jesus with others and discipling them.
Where we are headed...
We, as God's Church in Palmer, are growing in Spirit-gifted ministries. As we develop and plug people into ministry based on their giftedness rather than our need, our vision is for there to be joy, growth, and outreach through those individuals in those ministries. We are also growing leaders and endeavoring to provide opportunities for the youth who are in the church and our community.
