The History of Peckville Assembly of God 1916 - 2007

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,.……………………………..let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1)

The history of the Assembly of God of Peckville is lined with the lives of those who have gone before in commitment to the Lord, prayer, and a desire to see souls added to the Kingdom of God. It was on December 27, 1916, that Rev. William Couzens and a faithful few organized the work that was begun by his wife, Sis. Couzens, and her sister. The two women had shared the good news of the gospel from a stray animal shed but were ready to begin an established church at the home of George Moules at 443 Brook St. Peckville. This work was known as the First Pentecostal Tabernacle of the Assembly of God of Peckville.

The congregation grew during the 1920’s as a result of evangelistic street meetings in Peckville, Blakely, Winton and Mill Street; revival services; and tent meetings in the summer months. It was also during this time that a building to worship in was built on Keystone Ave. and Brook St. on land that was donated by George Moules. The building, completed in 1927, was characterized by crudely made benches, an old pulpit, a piano, and straw on the floor in front of the altar.
Spiritually the presence of the Lord was manifested in the preaching of the Word, sharing of testimonies, praise, and worship that would continue into the early morning hours. In 1928, there was a young people’s revival lasting six weeks during which physical miracles were seen, lives changed and many new souls added to the church.

Rev. and Mrs. Couzens were followed in ministry by Rev. and Mrs. Cope Budge (1938 - 1940), Rev. and Mrs. Wesley Fritz ( 1940 – 1943), and Rev. and Mrs. Adolphus Smith (1943 - 1947).

A priority of evangelism continued into the 1940’s and 1950’s as Rev. and Mrs. David Berquist (1947 - 1954) initiated a Full Gospel Radio Broadcast which carried the message of salvation and choir music to many homes continuing until 1986. During the pastorate of Rev. and Mrs. Samuel Clutter (1954 - 1962), a vision for the growth of families in the church led to the building of a Sunday School annex toaccommodate the growing Sunday School emphasis. The Christian Education ministry continues today to be an important part ofdiscipleship in the church with classes for all ages of nursery through adult as well as an approved Berean Study Center of Global University of the Assemblies of God for study for ministry.
Rev. and Mrs. Samuel Clutter were followed by Rev. Charles Dale (1962 - 1965). In the summer of 1965, Rev. Ernest B. Drost began his first term as pastor. Pastor Drost served faithfully in preaching and teaching the gospel while also continuing the radio broadcast along with the choir directed by Martha Case. Sis. Louise Drost served in the Sunday School, led Christ’s Ambassadors (CA’s) youth group, directed Vacation Bible Schools and began Women’s Ministries and Missionettes. Moving in the will of the Lord, Rev. Drost resigned as pastor in 1972 to accept a pastorate in New Jersey.

Rev. and Mrs. Ash followed as pastor adding a musical asset to the work of the Lord, as well as beginning a drama ministry with the young people of the church.


Rev. Ash resigned on March 27, 1976 and on April 25, 1976 with 74 church members present, Rev. E. B. Drost was voted to return to Peckville Assembly of God. With a great vision for the church, Rev. Drost led the congregation in purchasing the parsonage at Brook St. where the work of the Lord started, land for parking, and expanding the sanctuary of the church in 1981.
Under the pastorate of Rev. Drost and assistants of Rev. and Mrs. Paul Drost , Rev. and Mrs. Sharon Matolyak, Rev. and Mrs. Dennis Castella, Rev. and Mrs. Glen Brown , Rev. and Mrs. James Ruddy and Rev. and Mrs. Norman Lawrence; the Peckville Assembly of God continued to reach out in evangelism through Evangelistic Crusades, teaching seminars, door to door evangelism, Vacation Bible Schools, KidsCrusades, Family Festivals, and Dramatic Presentations which resulted in great growth of the congregation numerically and spiritually. Because of this growth and continued vision, in 1996, a great “Together for a Miracle” campaign was initiated which resulted in the building of the Family Life Center.

As the new millennium approached, Peckville Assembly of God continued to look to the Lord with a commitment to discipleship, evangelism, and fellowship. Under the leadership of Terry Drost, the youth of the church became motivated to serve the Lord fervently and a great renewal of worship and evangelism was begun. Missions trips to Mexico were organized to spread the gospel to “all the world”. The Family Life Center became the home of “Extreme Youth on Fire” and “Kids on the Rock” children’s ministry.

In January, 2005, Pastor Terry Drost became senior pastor with a vision to relocate to property on Route 6 and build a new ministry complex that would reach out to the many souls in the valley below. In September 2006, ground breaking took place on the 26 acres of land which would soon be developed to begin the fulfillment of that vision.

In 2007 as the “Vision for the Future” campaign begins, the church has over 350 weekly attendees with some services reaching over 600. Evangelism through community outreaches continues to add souls to the Kingdom of God; discipleship through Christian Education, Believer classes, small group host home studies, Celebrate Recovery groups, and Missionettes and Royal Rangers afford young and old alike opportunities to apply God’s Word to their lives; and fellowship through Men’s and Women’s Ministries, Connexions for college and career, Seniors Fellowship, Harvest Celebration and other events bring people together in a common bond of love in Jesus Christ.
As the pastors, staff, board and congregation follow the Lord with faith in their hearts, passion in their souls and a Spirit-given vision, they line the way for future generations of Peckville Assembly of God.
Photos Church History