The Caribou Assembly of God Church celebrates its 88th anniversary this year with festivities culminating in July. The church, now a landmark in the city of Caribou, opened during the winter of 1921 in the old Free Baptist Church which at that time was owned by the Episcopal Church on South Main Street.
Born when evangelist Lee Good of Monticello, held revival services, over 300 converts responded to the messages he preached. Enthusiasm caused individuals to immediately search out property and to build the present edifice which stands at 210 Sweden Street.
The Depression years were hard on the church, with a mortgage to meet and the church had to rent a house for their pastor. However, in the early 1940s things turned around and church members were able to build a parsonage.
In 1947 a hometown boy, Lloyd Sparks, returned to Caribou after studying for the ministry, to become pastor of his home church. The church witnessed a phenomenal growth throughout his years of service and it was evident by 1959 that more space was needed. A foundation was constructed adjoining the Summer Street side of the Assembly, thus doing away with most of the lawn and later the church built upon this foundation, remodeling the whole church.
In 1968 the church merged with the Assemblies of God of Springfield, Mo. Throughout the years of its growth, one by one, adjoining properties were bought. The purchases created a small parking lot facing Sweden Street and a much larger parking lot facing Washburn and Summer streets.
Again, a hometown boy returned to pastor the church. Dr. Ronald Sullivan, born and raised in Caribou, returned in 1984 serving as pastor until 1996. Over the years the church has made use of the back parking lot, with extra activities featuring showing films from the early years under Dr. Sullivan’s ministry and outdoor concerts in the months of July and August. It has also been made available to the city of Caribou to be used for activities during the annual Caribou Cares about Kids events.
A few years ago more improvements were made to the church property. An old garage was torn down and a new four-car garage now stands in its place, housing two church vans and the pastor’s two vehicles. Other renovations over the years have been completed to the Youth Pastor’s parsonage, facing Sweden Street.
When the Church celebrated its 75th anniversary, a hand printing of a Commemorative Bible was placed on loan indefinitely at the Caribou Historical Society.
There are 1,189 chapters in the Bible and 1,189 persons had taken one chapter each to print. Volunteers from Caribou and the surrounding communities, as well as a host from the Assembly’s own church family who are now scattered abroad made this project possible.
Editor’s note: This poem was written by Maude McDougall in 1923, on the occasion of the Caribou Assembly of God’s 75th anniversary. The poem was printed on the back of a bound booklet.
One year it has been since we started,
In the new church to worship God.
Whereas before on kitchen floors,
Pentecostal brethren trod.
Two years ago, a revival
Such as Caribou had never known.
There were many more to help the few,
Who had been so long alone.
We heard many times of the faithful ones,
They were called the faithful seven.
If they never get their reward on earth,
‘Twill be waiting for them in heaven.
The first day’s services in the church,
Will ne’er be forgotten here.
‘Twas blessed to know God had heard our prayers,
The faithful should have no fear.
A wonderful work has been done,
Altho’ the devil has kept in full swing,
He will always to hinder God,
Or those who His praises sing.
Bro. Dingee has brought wonderful lessons
Of Jesus the Crucified one.
Of the wonderful God of Salvation,
Of Christ, the Father’s Son.
Told us of the baptism in the Spirit,
How they got it at Pentecost.
How we should seek diligently for it,
How we should seek to save the lost.
Eighteen have received their Baptism,
Came forth speaking in other tongues
Many have received salvation,
Or Sanctification in their life has been done.
God has smiled on the work in Caribou,
In a truly wonderful way.
We’ll never know the good that’s been done,
‘Till we meet in the Judgment Day.
We should always true and faithful stand,
Always keep the banner unfurled,
We know not when the end will come,
When there’ll be no more of this wicked world.
So when Jesus comes for His people,
As the old earth will be heard to tremble.
He will say to the great Arch Angel,
Don’t forget Caribou Pentecostal Assembly.
