clipping, newspaper
Catalog Number
2020.9.154Description
Newspaper clipping, 7-27-1997, from the Holland Sentinel, featuring a story about the Rev. Leonard Stoutemire and the Full Gospel All Nations Pentecostal Church in Holland, MI. Written by Joel Lefever.History
Leonard Foster Stoutemire was born in Independence, Alabama on 8-3-1890. The US census for 1900 shows Leonard still residing in Independence, with his parents Jake and Josephine.By 1920 (US census), Leonard was living in East Chicago, Indiana. In 1940 (US census), he resided in Chicago.
Leonard came to Holland, MI in 1944.
The Full Gospel All Nations Pentecostal Church, located at 13708 Barry Street in Holland Township, MI, was founded in 1948 by Leonard and his friend Gilbert Breuker (1921-1993). Leonard served as pastor here for 40 years.
Leonard and his wife, Gladys Fite Stoutemire, lived north of Holland, MI. They had the following children: Ruth; Leonardine; Sylvia; and, Earl.
Leonard passed away in Holland, Mi on 10-6-1987.
The following information about Pastor Stoutemire comes from the booklet "Jubilee: Full Gospel All Nations Pentecostal Church Celebrates Our 50th Anniversary".
"He moved to Morgan Park and worked with Pastor Robert Sunday.
Pastor Stoutemire stayed there and worked in the office of deacon and was called Pastor Sunday's right hand man. But, as he use to tell us, he felt God was calling him to go out on the field, but he didn't know where....but he had a vision of a place of an open field, that would need him to get a church ready for all nations.
When he told them he was leaving to go north and start a church in the wilderness, they thought he should stay with them. He told them he had a vision and he had heard from God. So he packed up the family and moved to Holland.
He and his son, Earl, came first and started building the house. After it was framed in and almost finished we came. Three or four years later, the church began in their living room every Sunday until their church building was completed.".
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