One woman's vision laid foundation for Pentecostal Church

Reprinted from The Packet, Monday, July 21, 1997.

The Pentecostal Chruch in Clarenville began as one woman's dream.  The late Mrs. Dulcie Balsom (wife of Alfred John Balsom) had a vision of a Pentecostal Church in Clarenville.

During the late 1940s, Mrs. Balsom began conducting cottage meetings in her home.  As the popularity of these gatherings began to grow, open air meetings - conducted by Pastors William Gillette, Raymond Pelley and others - were later held in various areas of Clarenville.

Sister Dulcie Balsom's home. Where it all began.

Where it all began. Sister Dulcie Balsom's home.

Special church services were held in the Orange Hall, situated on Church Hill in Clarenville.  But eventually, the fledgling congregation saw the need for a place to call their own.

First Pentecostal Church

First Pentecostal Church.

 On August 26, 1950, Mrs. Balsom started a little church measuring 20 feet by 30 feet on what is now known as Balsom Street.  Five pastors from various Pentecostal churches came to help build the new church, which opened on November 26, 1950.

The congregation began holding Sunday schoold classes as soon as the church was opened.   Among the first to attend services in the new church were Job Easton and family, Reg Stringer and family, and Mr. and Mrs. William Blundon.  Water baptism services were held by the former cable station.

The first resident pastor at the Pentecostal church was Pastor Gerald French from Bay Roberts, followed by Sister Nita Belbin and Sister Jossie Hamilton.  Sister Belbin was later joined by Sister Ida Noble.

Other pastors stationed in Clarenville were Pastor Arthur Loder and family, Sister Penney and Sister Strange, Pastor Robert Lidstone, Pastor Carl Stratton, Pastor Gradon Giles and Pastor Joseph Whalen.

The last church building was located on Leslie Street.  This building was initiated by Pastor Homer Burt in 1965.  A number of pastors ministered in this building, including Pastor and Mrs. L. A. Roberts, Pastor Robert Hamlyn, Pastor and Mrs. N. A. Vaters.

Others include Pastor Winston Osmond, Pastor H. G. Holloway, Pastor and Mrs. Guy Hillier, and Pastor and Mrs. David Hamel and Present Pastors Baine and Wavey Andrews, and also Pastors Jason and Cynthia Martin.

Last church building on Leslie Street

Last church building on Leslie Street.

This assembly inspired others in the congregation to go into full-time ministry.   Some local young people who have gone on in the Pentecostal Church are Rita Easton (Stuckless) and her sister, Ruth Easton (McNielly), Rex and Karen Stringer (Roberts), Chesley Jacobs, Gilbert Holloway, Glenn and Enid Chaulk, Cathy Wheeler, and Tammy Crocker.  

Present day church building, Trinity Crescent

Present day church building,
Trinity Crescent.

 On Sunday, March 28, 1999 the congregation of Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle officially opened and dedicated a new church building.  The new building is located on Trinity Crescent, situated opposite the Clarenville shopping centre.