Sunday, Night Service- 6:00pm
Tuesday, Prayer Meeting- 7:00pm
Wednesday, Discovery Service- 7:30pm
Saturday, Youth Alive- 6:00pm
In the year 1950, with a burden and a desire to follow the Will of God, Sis. Sharpe stepped out by faith and founded a oneness Pentecostal Church named The Church of Jesus Christ UPC. The church became a birthing place of Modern Day Pentecost.
In 1951 with approximately 26 people, Sis Sharpe purchased a small church in East Austin located on the corner of Taylor and Waller Street. The building was formerly owned by a group known as the Church of Christ and had been willed to this group with the stipulation that the property could be used of Church of Chirst worshippers only. The Lord worked a miracle and Sis. Sharpe was able to purchase the building.
The Congregation worshipped at this building for the next three years. During this time the Lord continued to bless and many souls were filled with Holy Ghost. By 1955, the attendance had increased to around 50 to 60. At this time it was evident that a larger building was needed. A church building was purchased at 1400 East First Street to accommodate the growing church. The new building on East First Street was formerly occupied by the First Christian Church. This new building consisted of the main auditorium, six Sunday School rooms, and upstairs, a junior auditorium and a three-room apartment which was reserved for evangelistic quarters. At this time, the average attendance was around 100
In 1974 our present church at 1203 Old Bastrop Hwy, was built under Sis. Sharpe's direction. In 1976 Sis. Sharpe resigned as ppastor of The church of Jesus Christ UPC and in September of this same year Bro. B.E. Moore was elected pastor of the church
Prior to Bro. Moore being elected as pastor of the church, he felt in the Holy Ghost that a change was going to be made in his and Sis. Moore's life. Sitting on a swing with Sis. Moore on a Sunday evening after church, Bro. Moore told his wife that there was going to be a change in their life. On the following Wednesday, Bro. Moore shut himself in with prayer and fasting praying for the Will of God. That afternoon he received a phone call asking him to come to preach for The Church of Jesus Christ UPC. Bro. Moore preached for the congregation on Thursday and again on the following Sunday. On this Sunday he was elected pastor of the church.
During Bro. Moore's patorate, the name of the church was changed from The Church of Jesus Christ UPC to United Pentecostal Church and later to The First United Pentecostal Church. Many people were filled with Holy Ghost under Bro. Moore's ministry. Also, many preachers felt their call to preach and follow the Will of God. After 23 years of being pastor of The First United Pentecostal Church at 1203 Old Batrop Hwy., Bro. Moore resigned as pastor on August 26, 1999. That same evening Bro. Don Martin was elected pastor of the Church.
During the pastorate of Bro. Martin, the name of the church was changed from The First United Pentecostal Church to Austin First Church , UPC. Again, many souls found their way to God and were filled with the Holy Ghost under the leadership of Bro. Martin. Bro. Martin resigned the church on June 04, 2000.
On August 14, 2000, Bro. Charles Stephens was elected pastor of Austin First Church. Prior to the election, Bro. Stephens had been fasting and praying for the Will of God in both his and Sis. Stephen's life. Bro. Stephens felt that a change was going to be made in his life and Sis. Stephens life. Bro. & Sis. Stephens were so willing to follow the perfect Will of God and come to Austin, Texas as pastor and wife. Again, under the leadership and ministry of Bro. Stephens, many souls have been filled with the Holy Ghost and baptized in the lovely Name of Jesus!
God has been so good to bless our church. God has performed many miracles in the lives of many individuals. Many people have been healed, minds have been restored, broken hearts have been mended, troubled and broken relationships have been put back together, the joy of the Lord has been restored, and the list can continue on and on. Yes, Sis. Sharpe's burden and vision continues. Our church is a Lighthouse for the lost, a Refuge to the forsaken, and weary, and a blessing to many.
