The Evangel Story

Evangel Assembly began in a large room over a garage on Ferry Street between Michigan and Main Street in Buffalo, New York in the fall of 1923.
Pastored by a layman, Ernest Tunmore, the small group of believers experienced the power of God in their lives as portrayed in Acts Ch. 2.

Rev. Walter Palmer was called as the first minister pastor in 1928.
A tent meeting was held on Main St. and there was a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. At the completion of the meeting, the congregation felt the Lord would have them launch out into a church building program.
Land was purchased at 629 East Delavan and a church was built with most of the labor volunteered and much of the material either donated or purchased secondhand. Since this was during the Depression years, money was scarce, but God provided.
An apartment was also built at the rear of the church for the use of the pastor and family.
The church was incorporated under the name "Pentecostal Tabernacle" during Pastor Palmer's ministry.
Pastor Palmer resigned in 1930 and Rev. and Mrs. Harold Snelgrove were called.

In 1932, under the leadership of Rev. Harold Snelgrove, the Pentecostal Tabernacle was affiliated with the General Council of the Assemblies of God in Springfield, Missouri.
Pastor Snelgrove resigned in 1934 and was followed by two pastors who served short terms - Rev. Wilfred Brown from 1934 to 1937 and W.J. Duncan from 1937 to 1939.

In 1939 Rev. Jacob Heinrich was called and pastored the church for nine years until 1948.
The congregation continued to grow and during this time a beautiful pink stone building was erected at the front of the old building, giving additional rooms and adding much to the exterior appearance of the church.

Following Pastor Heinrich's ministry, in January of 1949 Rev. and Mrs. Frank Christie were called and served the church for fifteen years.
The Lord blessed, the congregation grew and the building was "bulging at the seams." A building fund was started and land was purchased for a new church used for Sunday School rooms.

After Pastor Christie's resignation in 1964 Rev. and Mrs. Albert Skymer were called and plans were changed. The house and property on Mercer and the church at 629 E. Delavan were sold and land was purchased at Maple and Ayer in Williamsville.
Under Pastor Skymer's ministry the first phase of the building was constructed, and the name of the church was changed to Evangel Assembly of God. Moving from the city to this location caused many of the congregation in the city to be left behind to find other church homes. The church began here with a small number and many hardships were experienced.

In 1970, the Skymers resigned and Rev. and Mrs. Darrel Mitchell were called. After a few years of their ministry the work began to grow tremendously and in 1978 and 1979 the new wing was added to the church.
From the first Sunday the wing was packed and soon it was necessary to go to two morning services to accommodate the crowds. The work was too much for the senior pastor to carry alone and soon one by one other members were added to the ministerial staff.
In 1983 Pastor Mitchell resigned after 13 years of ministry.

In 1983 and 1985 we were served by interim pastor, Terrance Nelson, senior pastor, Gerald Morgan and interim pastor, Grant Aldridge.
In April of 1985 Rev. and Mrs. Warren Delling were called by the Lord and by the congregation. Under Pastor Delling's direction, much needed administrative offices and Sunday School space was added to the existing building.
After capably and lovingly leading the flock at Evangel, Pastor Delling resigned at the end of 1992.
Again, Rev. Grant Aldridge was called to serve as interim pastor. Having to serve an extended period of time, Rev. Aldridge's leadership made an important contribution to the ongoing ministry of Evangel.

In May of 1994, Rev. and Mrs. David Mazzella were called by God and the congregation to serve as Evangel's 12th Pastor. He served eight years in ministry with hope, love, and confidence in the continued presence of God. He resigned in 2002.

Rev. Sid Loeffler served as interim pastor from June 2002 to February 2003, when Rev. and Mrs. Stephen Artuso were called by God and the congregation to become the 13th pastor of Evangel Assembly of God.
Under Pastor Artuso's leadership, a much needed update of the exterior of the building was completed along with many new updates to the interior of the building, specifically, in the Children's Church area of Paradise Island. He served from March 2003 until his resignation in October of 2005.

Rev. and Mrs. Stan Thurber filled in as interim pastors.
In June of 2006, Pastor Pat and Heather Hilkey heeded God's call to become the 14^th pastor of Evangel Assembly of God.
In early 2007, Pastor Pat cast his vision for the future of the church, "If God is in it, Dream Large".
Our church was contacted by Maguire Development with the exploratory opportunity to sell the Maple Rd. complex, which included the church, 3 houses, and additional land. The committee took it under consideration and after a week of prayer, Pastor pulled the church council and the facilities committee and received an affirmative vote to move ahead. A congregational meeting was held, a vote was taken, and agreed upon to pursue the purchase of the Burdick campus of Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church.
After a year and a half of negotiations, the church received an affirmative action on a loan for $1,250,000 to finance the purchase.
We closed on the sale November 2009, and moved into our new facilities located on Greiner Rd. in March of 2010.
Our congregation continues to grow under Pastor Pat's leadership and guidance.

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