Rev. Coleman Barlow and his wife, Nancy, opened First Assembly of God in June of 1979. It met in the old Methodist Church on West Main St. and later in the Jewish Community Center. After years of faithul service, Rev. Barlow transferred leadership over to Rev. William Ulsh. Pastor Ulsh led the congregation to purchase property on Thomaston Ave. The first service in the building was in December of 1987 and the church has held services at that location ever since.
During transition First Assembly was led by Pastor Albert Andreasen and then by Pastor Timothy Roddam. Our current Pastor, Rev. James Lilley was voted in April of 1998. Since then the church has purchased 2.4 more acres of land, the former Waterville Lumber property. Renovations to the 12,400 sq. ft. building began November 15, 2004, and on July 13, 2006, we received our certificate of occupancy. In less than two years time we transformed an old barn into the Family Life Center that houses a full gym, workout facilities, and our children's ministries.
The Lord continues to bless the City of Waterbury through First Assembly. We have a flourishing church, an elementary and middle school (Lighthouse Christian Academy) that reaches over 100 students, and a state of the art Family Center. What an excitement to see what the Lord has done and look to the future to see what He will do in the years to come.