From its beginning as an in-home prayer gathering, Israel Church of God has continued under the direction of the Holy Spirit, serving generations of worshippers in San Bernardino.
Bro. Samuel J. Allen was the Apostle, Pastor, and Founder of Israel Church of God Seventh-Day Holiness.
The church’s conception began in early September 1956, when the first in-home prayer meeting was held in the home of Bro. and Sis. Allen on Dumas Street in San Bernardino, California. Visiting relatives who had recently been filled with the Holy Ghost called the family together for prayer.
That day, two of the three teenage Allen children received the Holy Ghost. After wondering whether receiving the Holy Ghost was right, Sis. Allen also received it later that September following much prayerful consideration.
When Bro. Allen pondered the infilling of the Holy Ghost, God clearly revealed to him in a vision that it was required. In November 1956, Bro. Allen and his son both received the Holy Ghost.
In March and April 1957, the gifts of prophecy, healing, and preaching the Gospel were conferred upon Bro. Allen.
The in-home prayer meetings quickly became a regular custom. Before long, the Allen family was hosting prayer meetings routinely. Chairs replaced the living room sofas to accommodate the seekers. Word spread throughout nearby communities, and others began hosting prayer meetings in their homes. Various people attending the meetings were saved and filled with the Holy Ghost.
As the group grew, it became difficult to continue traveling from house to house. Bro. and Sis. Allen’s home became the home of the “Saturday Night Prayer Band.”
In April 1957, the group was commanded by God to keep the seventh-day Sabbath holy. Sabbath mornings were soon devoted to Bible study and prayer, beginning with the Allen family.
An elder came by and united with the family, and before long, others joined the Saturday morning prayer and Bible study.
In a short time, a worship service followed Sabbath School, with the Allen family’s living room serving as the sanctuary.
In 1959, the prayer group was established as a church, and God commanded that its name be:
With the doctrine: “After the manner of Jesus Christ.”
In 1963, the church obtained a building—an old courthouse—which was moved and placed on property donated to the church by Bro. Allen. The members volunteered their time and money to secure the building.
The congregation moved from the Allen home to its new location at 263 East Dumas Street in San Bernardino.
In 1967, the church was led to pray on Friday evenings for the manifestation of the Holy Spirit and the revelation of His glory.
There was also a Monday night prayer service, which eventually developed into Monday night prayer and Bible study.
At one point, faithful members began gathering at the church on Tuesdays and Thursdays for prayer. These gatherings became known as “Noon Day Prayer.”
Bro. Samuel J. Allen was called home in 1996, but the church continued and prospered under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
The current property, formerly known as the Old Bank of America building, was purchased in 1997.
The final renovations to the former bank building were completed in February 2004.
Under the pastoral leadership of Kenneth O. Olive, the present church property remains a visible gathering place for worship, study, prayer, and fellowship.
From its beginnings in the Allen family’s living room to its present home on North Mount Vernon, Israel Church of God continues under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
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