The United Pentecostal Church of Mendota began in March of 1974 with prayer meetings in the home of Mabel Dober in Mendota. Rev. Oliver Spencer of Princeton was the overseer. The first pastor was Rev. James Cahill from January 1975 to July 1976. In May of 1977, Rev. Harold Koonce was elected pastor and served until his retirement in 2003. Rev. Charles Yeakel, former assistant pastor and co-pastor has served as pastor since January 2004. Services were held in the Faber Hotel for three years, from 1974 until 1977 when the building was condemned. For the next year, the congregation met in the Setchell Insurance building and then, for two years in the home of Rev. Koonce. The first church building on the present property was built in 1980. The building seated 125 people but soon a larger sanctuary was needed, and a new addition was erected in 1988 with a full basement containing a kitchen, fellowship hall and classrooms. The original building has been converted into an educational unit. God has blessed the church through the years with many people converted and many miracles experienced. To God be the glory for His blessings!
Church History
