Who We Are

Our Story written by current church elder, Morris Nettles

The first Oneness, Jesus Name, United Pentecostal message was preached in Groesbeck in 1952. Sister Inamell Nettles went to Waco to see Brother Housh, our presbyter about holding services in Groesbeck and starting a church. He gave her permission so she came back to Groesbeck and rented the Limestone Theatre from Mr. Sid Smith. Flyers were posted, announcing the service for the weekend. That Saturday night there were people from Waco and Thornton; Mom, Sister Henderson, Morris and Virginia Nettles from Groesbeck, Brother Housh and several ministers were there. That Saturday Night service was out of this world. Sunday night we has another good service. A couple of ministers spoke and God moved.

Somewhere along 1963 or 1964 God sent Brother Johnnie R. Bates to Groesbeck. He bought property on Highway South 14 and built a church with help from Waco church men. Bro. Bates preached his first UPC message from or on Sister Rebecca Webbs front porch. They stayed in Groesbeck until 1966 or 67–The church was closed down when they left.

For awhile, the church consisted of four people, but carried on the work like they had one hundred in the church pews. One of the individuals worked, just so the church bills were paid. When their health began to fail, they asked the presbyter to help find a pastor. Several came and looked and when they saw only four members they backed away.

The next pastor was Brother and Sister H.D. Earp from East Texas. They came with their children and our church began to grow. Bro. H.D. Earp felt the need to build a new church. The Nettles family donated land and work was started! We had a ground breaking ceremony and when the building was complete, we had a church dedication.

The next pastor was Brother and Sister Landtroop. The church grew, then people moved away. The Landtroops pastored about twenty five years, then moved to North Carolina where their son pastored a church.

In 2010, God sent Brother and Sister Killingsworth and their two sons to Groesbeck. Our work is still ongoing and we are looking for a great outpouring of the Holy Ghost, people being saved from their sins. We thank God for a lighthouse in Groesbeck, where the truth is being preached.

Who We Are

Our Story written by current church elder, Morris Nettles

First United Pentecostal Church of Groesbeck