How it all started...
(NB: Most of this report was prepared by David Jeans - August 1995)
During the mid 1920's, an employment boom occurred in central Nfld. on the northwest bank of the Exploits River. The Anglo-Newfoundland Development Company had built a paper mill and the supporting structures of roads, schools and health facilities. The resulting company town of Grand Falls was progressive, prosperous and modern. Seasonal workers who came from various communities to work with the Company at Grand Falls erected small shacks across the tracks at Grand Falls Station so that they could care for themselves and not have to stay in boarding houses.
During the mid 1920's, an employment boom occurred in central Nfld. on the northwest bank of the Exploits River. The Anglo-Newfoundland Development Company had built a paper mill and the supporting structures of roads, schools and health facilities. The resulting company town of Grand Falls was progressive, prosperous and modern. Seasonal workers who came from various communities to work with the Company at Grand Falls erected small shacks across the tracks at Grand Falls Station so that they could care for themselves and not have to stay in boarding houses.
Many later brought their families creating a twin town that lacked the planning, facilities and respect of its Company-subsidized neighbour. Thus Grand Falls Station was born and grew quickly, although somewhat haphazardly, in the shadow of Grand Falls. In 1937 Grand Falls Station was renamed Windsor by its new Municipal Council, one of the first to be created in Newfoundland. On January 1, 1991, the towns of Windsor and Grand Falls amalgamated and became known as Grand Falls-Windsor.
In 1926, Charles L. March and Lewis Eddy, Corner Brook businessmen, decided to erect a Pentecostal Church at Grand Falls Station. They shipped a car load of lumber by train for this purpose. At about the same time, several young men from Corner Brook, "With a few facts and full of fire," set out with missionary zeal on a trek to spread the Pentecostal message throughout Newfoundland. William Gillett, Arthur S. Winsor, and Thomas P. Mitchell left Deer Lake to come to Grand Falls Station by train. During the middle of July, Pastor Winsor conducted the first Pentecostal services in a vacant store on Bond Street, owned by a local merchant, William Anderson. The missionary trio stayed long enough to hold several meetings and carry the carload of lumber on their backs from the train station to King Street. They then went by train to Badger and set out on the 35-mile walk to South Brook. They left behind them the seeds of the gospel and the lumber for the first Pentecostal Church building. The "Cripple-Back" Church, as it was called, built on King Street, was described by Pastor A.S. Bursey in his book, Life's Work Complete. Erected below street level, the building had a Canadian barn roof of cripple-back structure. A stove, sitting in the centre of the building, was heated by coal from the bin in the porch at the entrance. A partition ran through one end, making the living quarters for the resident pastor, and providing one bedroom, a living-room and a small room leading to the main building. There was a large loft over the kitchen. This was used at one time for a press-room. I believe Good Tidings, the official publication of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland, was printed from there for awhile.
The first resident Pentecostal pastors were Miss Gwendolyn White, who later married Newman LaShana and went to be a missionary in India, and Miss Sadie Eddy, who later married Pastor Philip G. Butt.(4) Pastor A.S. Winsor returned two years later to minister in a well-established church. By the early 1940's, under the ministry of Pastor A.S. Bursey, the church had outgrown its facilities. Finances were scarce, bank loans were out of the question, but enthusiasm was high. The only building lot available was a swamp across King Street from the "Cripple-Back" Church. It was bought, and a building, large by the standards of those days, was built. This second Pentecostal Church in Windsor, seating at least 400 people, was practically debt free when completed. The "swamp" proved to be the right spot. Adjoining land was purchased for parking and for the erection of a parsonage, an elementary school and a two-room high school. This area of town also became the site for two future churches and the second parsonage.
It soon became obvious that this second church building was not large enough. A balcony was added, but it, too, was filled on Sunday evenings. Pastor Bursey wrote how he "feared it might collapse from the weight of the people." A large piece of land adjacent to the Trans Canada Highway was available for a new building, but the congregation decided to remain in Windsor. The third church was constructed on King Street and its parking lot was built where the old building stood.
The Windsor Assembly continued to grow, both in congregational size and in the variety of types of ministries that were emanating from it. The average Sunday School attendance was reaching toward 600, there were youth activities, a new Crusader Unit was established, and Women's Missionary Council was formed. Under the leadership of Pastor G.B. Harnum, it was decided that this third building could no longer accommodate the various ministries of the church. Mr. A.C. Hunt designed and directed the building of a new larger structure that would be attached and integrated into the old one. Construction began in 1968 and the cornerstone was laid the following year. The official opening and dedication of the church was held in February, 1971. This church building became the home of the Windsor Pentecostal Church for the next 24 years.
In the early 1980's, the congregation was once again experiencing the constraints of this building, and desired a more modern and functional structure to serve its needs. Preparation and planning was on going under the leadership of Pastor Alvin Winsor and Pastor Roy James. Then, under the ministry of Pastor George H. Dawe, 13 acres of land were obtained and a preliminary drawing of a structure to encompass the requirements of church and school was developed. Finally, under the leadership of Pastor Edward Canning, it seemed as if all impediments and restraints dissolved.
Chapelstone Developers were engaged to manage the project, land was cleared and foundations were laid during the Fall of 1993. A succession of miracles led to the completion of a church-school complex in the Summer of 1995, (first service was held July 9) with the official opening on Thanksgiving Day weekend - October 8. Situated on 13 acres overlooking the "Windsor Section" of Grand Falls-Windsor, the new structure is an imposing sight. It covers an area of 48,000 square feet. Its 40 foot high illuminated cross that can be viewed throughout the town is already a landmark in the area. The sanctuary, with its sloped floor encircling the platform, can seat 800. The church has four pastor's offices, a large foyer and the most advanced sound equipment. The building is designed for functionality, with areas for use by WM, MF and youth.
In 1926, Charles L. March and Lewis Eddy, Corner Brook businessmen, decided to erect a Pentecostal Church at Grand Falls Station. They shipped a car load of lumber by train for this purpose. At about the same time, several young men from Corner Brook, "With a few facts and full of fire," set out with missionary zeal on a trek to spread the Pentecostal message throughout Newfoundland. William Gillett, Arthur S. Winsor, and Thomas P. Mitchell left Deer Lake to come to Grand Falls Station by train. During the middle of July, Pastor Winsor conducted the first Pentecostal services in a vacant store on Bond Street, owned by a local merchant, William Anderson. The missionary trio stayed long enough to hold several meetings and carry the carload of lumber on their backs from the train station to King Street. They then went by train to Badger and set out on the 35-mile walk to South Brook. They left behind them the seeds of the gospel and the lumber for the first Pentecostal Church building. The "Cripple-Back" Church, as it was called, built on King Street, was described by Pastor A.S. Bursey in his book, Life's Work Complete. Erected below street level, the building had a Canadian barn roof of cripple-back structure. A stove, sitting in the centre of the building, was heated by coal from the bin in the porch at the entrance. A partition ran through one end, making the living quarters for the resident pastor, and providing one bedroom, a living-room and a small room leading to the main building. There was a large loft over the kitchen. This was used at one time for a press-room. I believe Good Tidings, the official publication of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland, was printed from there for awhile.
The first resident Pentecostal pastors were Miss Gwendolyn White, who later married Newman LaShana and went to be a missionary in India, and Miss Sadie Eddy, who later married Pastor Philip G. Butt.(4) Pastor A.S. Winsor returned two years later to minister in a well-established church. By the early 1940's, under the ministry of Pastor A.S. Bursey, the church had outgrown its facilities. Finances were scarce, bank loans were out of the question, but enthusiasm was high. The only building lot available was a swamp across King Street from the "Cripple-Back" Church. It was bought, and a building, large by the standards of those days, was built. This second Pentecostal Church in Windsor, seating at least 400 people, was practically debt free when completed. The "swamp" proved to be the right spot. Adjoining land was purchased for parking and for the erection of a parsonage, an elementary school and a two-room high school. This area of town also became the site for two future churches and the second parsonage.
It soon became obvious that this second church building was not large enough. A balcony was added, but it, too, was filled on Sunday evenings. Pastor Bursey wrote how he "feared it might collapse from the weight of the people." A large piece of land adjacent to the Trans Canada Highway was available for a new building, but the congregation decided to remain in Windsor. The third church was constructed on King Street and its parking lot was built where the old building stood.
The Windsor Assembly continued to grow, both in congregational size and in the variety of types of ministries that were emanating from it. The average Sunday School attendance was reaching toward 600, there were youth activities, a new Crusader Unit was established, and Women's Missionary Council was formed. Under the leadership of Pastor G.B. Harnum, it was decided that this third building could no longer accommodate the various ministries of the church. Mr. A.C. Hunt designed and directed the building of a new larger structure that would be attached and integrated into the old one. Construction began in 1968 and the cornerstone was laid the following year. The official opening and dedication of the church was held in February, 1971. This church building became the home of the Windsor Pentecostal Church for the next 24 years.
In the early 1980's, the congregation was once again experiencing the constraints of this building, and desired a more modern and functional structure to serve its needs. Preparation and planning was on going under the leadership of Pastor Alvin Winsor and Pastor Roy James. Then, under the ministry of Pastor George H. Dawe, 13 acres of land were obtained and a preliminary drawing of a structure to encompass the requirements of church and school was developed. Finally, under the leadership of Pastor Edward Canning, it seemed as if all impediments and restraints dissolved.
Chapelstone Developers were engaged to manage the project, land was cleared and foundations were laid during the Fall of 1993. A succession of miracles led to the completion of a church-school complex in the Summer of 1995, (first service was held July 9) with the official opening on Thanksgiving Day weekend - October 8. Situated on 13 acres overlooking the "Windsor Section" of Grand Falls-Windsor, the new structure is an imposing sight. It covers an area of 48,000 square feet. Its 40 foot high illuminated cross that can be viewed throughout the town is already a landmark in the area. The sanctuary, with its sloped floor encircling the platform, can seat 800. The church has four pastor's offices, a large foyer and the most advanced sound equipment. The building is designed for functionality, with areas for use by WM, MF and youth.