BEGINNINGS

Some of the first services were held in the former Mary Matson home, which was located where the new addition to the school is now built. Later, services were held in a room above the old bank building at the corner of Main and Church streets. Other places included the home of the Kenneth Larson family on Buckley Street, the former I.O.O.F. Hall, and the Beede house, east of Alma Center, where the Nutter family resided for a time. On August 6, 1950, the church was officially organized with Rev. Ernest Swanson of Eau Claire, WI officiating.

A RICH HISTORY

Desirous for having a special place of worship, Rev. Nutter and a few members were able to accumulate enough money to pay down on a lot on which the first church was built located on the corner of Grove and Summit Streets in Alma Center.  In 1951, an old hotel building in Merrillan, WI and the old Evangelical Lutheran Church building in Black River Falls were purchased. Some of the lumber from these buildings was used to construct the church building. The foundation footing for the new church building was laid on October 15, 1951, and the first cement blocks were laid on November 9th of that same year. 

In 1954, the upper structure of the church was completed and the first service was held on July 7th, 1954. Rev Otto Feldman of Augusta Assembly of God was the main contractor. Some of the members, including Rev. Nutter, put many long hours to bring this building to completion.

In 1957, Rev Charles Nutter resigned and Rev. Clyde Hicks served as pastor from the fall of 1957 until the end of 1965. Later, in 1966 James Lehmann pastored the church, he and his family moved into the newly purchased parsonage that the church purchased at 342 W. Grove Street in Alma Center. Rev Lehmann served until 1968. Rev. Harry Rideout served as Pastor to the congregation from 1968 through the end of 1972.

It was in 1970, twenty years after the church was organized, the congregation celebrated the "burning" of the church mortgage. Former pastor Rev. Clyde Hicks, and Rev. James Lehmann were present for this occasion. Rev. Clarence Hanson gave a report on the church history to this point and Rev. Harley Olson, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin-Northern Michigan District of the Assemblies of God brought the message to the church.

A NEW HOME

Rev. Donald Wiltshire assumed the pastorate in March of 1973. He stayed until the end of 1983. During this time many contributions to the church were received including an organ given in memory of Edward and Esther Hanson in 1975 and a new pulpit and communion table in memory of George Sturm and Aaron Brager in 1979.

During this time, plans were made for a new church building as the congregation had outgrown the current facility. Rev. Wiltshire and the board agreed to purchase a 3 acre lot from Glen Moorhead, who lived adjacent to the church. During this time, dirt was being excavated from the school grounds where a building project was underway. Arrangements were made to acquire the dirt and haul it to the new property purchased to create a driveway to the location for the newly planned church building.

The Wood frame structure has a northern exterior wall of stone veneer and rough sawn cedar. The main building is 90x36 feet and has a 24' x 24' carport. There is a full basement that is divided into classrooms and a dining area. The sanctuary and the pastor's office are located on the main floor. Clayton Hawley of Merrillan, WI, a member of the board, was the primary contractor for the project. Members of the congregation, including Rev and Mrs. Wiltshire, shared in the cooperative construction of the building.  The new building opened it's doors to the public on May 16th, 1982, when the first service was held there. A dedication of the building and an open house was held on September 1, 1982.

CONTINUED GROWTH

Throughout the following years God continued to work in Alma Center Assembly of God. In 1984, Rev. Gary Hilgendorf became pastor until 1987 when He was led to start a new congregation in Hayward, WI. Rev. Joseph Lumbrix succeeded him in July of that year. 

Many more changes occurred during Rev Lumbrix's tenure. On Feb 14th, 1991, the final payment was made on the mortgage of the newly constructed building and there was another celebration of a mortgage "burning" on April 21st, 1991. Rev. Richard Krocka, Pastor of New Life Assembly of God in Sparta, WI, and the sectional presbyter, was the guest speaker for the afternoon service. In August of 1992, a steeple was erected in memory of David Call, at the same time, an illuminated, exterior-mounted  cross was installed on the north side of the building in memory of Celia Brager.

Rev Lumbrix submitted his resignation as of January 31st, 1995. Eldon Borreson, who had retired to farm, came out of retirement to become pastor in April of 1995. His wife Joanne Borreson was selected as Music Director. In June 1995, Will Krebs, from North Central Bible College in Minneapolis came to serve as a summer intern. He was then hired as a part time Youth pastor on Sept. 1st.  Land south of the church  was purchased from Skip Lea in 1996. Pastor Eldon Borreson was killed in a tragic farming accident on May 21st, 1996.

In September of 1996, Rev. Greg Mandigo and his wife Mary celebrated their first Sunday at Alma Center Assembly of God. The District Superintendent Joel Pavia officially installed him as pastor on Sunday October 6th, 1996.

Further donations were received to continue the ministry of the church. In February 1997, a new Kohler & Campbell piano was donated in memory of Rev. Eldon Borreson by his wife Joanne and their daughters. In May 2001, the existing carport was enclosed to make two new offices and an entryway. There was an extension of an additional 24 feet to create a new carport. New siding and roof were added to the entire building. A Handicap accessible restroom was also added. Clayton Hawley was the primary contractor for these renovations.

RECENT YEARS

In 2010, after a short interim Pastorship by Rev. Joe Pavia, Rev. Carl Bauchspiess was installed as the pastor. During this time, the birth of the Alma Center Community Meals project occurred. Alma Center Assembly of God  purposed to engage the community like never before, holding events on the church property as well as areas around the community. Serving the local area by providing food, clothing, and for the children school supplies. In 2021, Rev. Bauchspiess and his wife Judy were called to a ministry of Home Missions within the Assemblies of God organization to begin more Community Meal projects in the Ohio area. 

After a brief search by the pastoral search committee, Rev. Joshua John was invited to candidate at Alma Center Assembly of God. On November 7th, 2021, Rev. Joshua John and his wife Nicole celebrated their first Sunday serving as Pastor of the congregation. They are currently serving Alma Center.