Our Story
In 1948, Mr. Wiley and Lizzie Litchfield began hosting prayer meetings in their home in the small rural community known as Litchfield Community. These prayer meetings quickly grew into a revival. Reverend Woodrow Gatlin, pastor of the Bonneau Pentecostal Holiness Church, along with some of his church
members, came to the Litchfield Community to assist with the revival services. Held outdoors under a bush arbor, the revival was a glorious success, with many souls saved, sanctified, and revived. This was only the beginning!
In 1949, Neal Hennent donated land to build a church. Brothers Grover and Thomas Litchfield donated timber from their land, while other community residents contributed their time, money, and talents to construct the first church sanctuary. Rev. Gatlin named the church Hickory Grove Community Church,
and it was designed to welcome anyone, regardless of denomination or background. All were welcome!
On January 21, 1958, Rev. Ernest Cooper presided over a meeting to formally organize Hickory Grove as part of the Pentecostal Holiness Church denomination. There were 10 charter members, and the church’s name was changed to Hickory Grove Pentecostal Holiness Church.
As the years went by, Rev. Gatlin resigned to pastor another church, which led to a decline in attendance. For a time, the only people attending Sunday services were Mrs. Lenora Mitchum and Mrs. Susie Litchfield, who faithfully sang hymns and prayed. Without their steadfast dedication, the church might have closed. Praise God for their faithfulness!
God continued to bless Hickory Grove. In 1962, the church expanded to provide more space for its growing congregation. In 1965, Thomas and Rosa Lee Litchfield donated 1.5 acres of land for a cemetery. In 1967, a new fellowship building was completed. In 1974 a new church sanctuary was finished and an acre of land was generously donated by the Rumbough family to the church, where the current sanctuary now stands. Later in 1976, Michael and Trilby Rumbough sold their home to the church to be used as a parsonage.
In December 1995, Rev. Reginald Thames Jr. was elected pastor. Under his leadership, the church continued to grow, and in 2006, a new fellowship building was constructed to accommodate the expanding congregation. After 20 years of dedicated service, Rev. Thames stepped down as senior pastor on August 3, 2015, due to health reasons.
Rev. Douglas Cooper was elected pastor on November 8, 2015. Under his leadership and by God’s grace, a new church sanctuary was completed in 2020. The original church building was renovated and converted into rooms for Sunday School classes and various youth programs.
Through the years, God has continually proven His faithfulness to Hickory Grove. We have been blessed with many wonderful pastors and servants who have demonstrated the true love of Christ. What the Lord began in 1948 continues today. Whatever the future holds, we will give all glory to the Lord Jesus Christ, who started this remarkable work.
members, came to the Litchfield Community to assist with the revival services. Held outdoors under a bush arbor, the revival was a glorious success, with many souls saved, sanctified, and revived. This was only the beginning!
In 1949, Neal Hennent donated land to build a church. Brothers Grover and Thomas Litchfield donated timber from their land, while other community residents contributed their time, money, and talents to construct the first church sanctuary. Rev. Gatlin named the church Hickory Grove Community Church,
and it was designed to welcome anyone, regardless of denomination or background. All were welcome!
On January 21, 1958, Rev. Ernest Cooper presided over a meeting to formally organize Hickory Grove as part of the Pentecostal Holiness Church denomination. There were 10 charter members, and the church’s name was changed to Hickory Grove Pentecostal Holiness Church.
As the years went by, Rev. Gatlin resigned to pastor another church, which led to a decline in attendance. For a time, the only people attending Sunday services were Mrs. Lenora Mitchum and Mrs. Susie Litchfield, who faithfully sang hymns and prayed. Without their steadfast dedication, the church might have closed. Praise God for their faithfulness!
God continued to bless Hickory Grove. In 1962, the church expanded to provide more space for its growing congregation. In 1965, Thomas and Rosa Lee Litchfield donated 1.5 acres of land for a cemetery. In 1967, a new fellowship building was completed. In 1974 a new church sanctuary was finished and an acre of land was generously donated by the Rumbough family to the church, where the current sanctuary now stands. Later in 1976, Michael and Trilby Rumbough sold their home to the church to be used as a parsonage.
In December 1995, Rev. Reginald Thames Jr. was elected pastor. Under his leadership, the church continued to grow, and in 2006, a new fellowship building was constructed to accommodate the expanding congregation. After 20 years of dedicated service, Rev. Thames stepped down as senior pastor on August 3, 2015, due to health reasons.
Rev. Douglas Cooper was elected pastor on November 8, 2015. Under his leadership and by God’s grace, a new church sanctuary was completed in 2020. The original church building was renovated and converted into rooms for Sunday School classes and various youth programs.
Through the years, God has continually proven His faithfulness to Hickory Grove. We have been blessed with many wonderful pastors and servants who have demonstrated the true love of Christ. What the Lord began in 1948 continues today. Whatever the future holds, we will give all glory to the Lord Jesus Christ, who started this remarkable work.