How it all Began

In June 1918 a tent meeting was conducted near Garfield Park with evangelist Clyde Green assisted by Rev. George and Effie Moore. As a result the South Side Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene was organized July 14, 1918, with 15 charter members.

• Rev. George Church
• Laura Meredith
• Mr. & Mrs. Frank Rosberg
• Clarence Williams
• Edgar Oakes
• Everett Arbuckle
• Mr. & Mrs. James Oakes
• Marguerite Oakes
• Opal Miller
• William Imler
• Rev. & Mrs. George Moore.
• Ethel Williams

For $1500 property was purchased including a small frame church building that faced LaGrande Street and 3 lots bounded on the west by Olive St. (Later this building was turned around with it’s entrance towards Olive St. In subsequent projects it was enlarged to meet the needs of the over growing congregation.)

After the church was cleaned and repaired, a new platform was installed and a tiny sanctuary was open for worship on Sunday, July 28th 1918. Nine months later on April 6th, 1919 Southside Church was formerly dedicated. Little did those charter members realize that this event would send out ripples of blessings beyond Indianapolis to the nation and to the uttermost parts of the world?

On July 28th 1918 an All Day meeting was held.

• Pastor George Church, pastor was in charge.
• A "Love Feast" was led by Frank Fait.
• Evangelist U.E. Harding preached at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2:30 p.m.
• In the evening service Sister Effie Moore preached.
• Thirty-two people pledged $434 for property payments and improvements.

Pastor History

• George Church 1918 - 1919
• Ural Hollenback 1919 - 1920
• Frank Robinson 1920 - 1923
• J.C. Quinn 1923 - 1926
• J.L. Brashere 1926 - 1929
• Harry Carter 1929 - 1938
• H.J. Rahrar 1938 - 1944
• A.L. Emmert 1944 - 1948
• Mark Casey 1948 - 1949
• Harley Downs 1949 - 1957
• C.A. Griffith 1957 - 1958
• Lowell Listenberger 1958 - 1964
• Leon Davis 1964 - 1971
• Marvin Patton 1971 - 1976
• Lloyd Tucker 1976 - 2001
• J.D. Bailey 2001 - 2011