Learn About Our Church & History
History & Launch
Since 1928
The lovely little borough of Manns Choice, Pennsylvania Is nestled in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains near the town of Bedford. Although seemingly insignificant to the world, God is at work in Manns Choice.
As far back as 1928, there was a hunger for a Pentecostal church. God moved as Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Tiday were visiting relatives in Piedmont, Virgina when they attended a Pentecostal service..ln that service, Elmer received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and would never be the same.
1n the words of charter member Mary Tidav:’ fter that night, we were no longer satisfied with our home church which did not believe in the evidence of speaking iri tongues. We starting visiting other.Pentecostal services anywhere and anytime we would hear about them, since there were not any in Manns Choice then. It was in Johnstown at a Pentecostal revival that I received the Baptism (of the Holy Ghost)
The hung r that brought the Church of God to Manns Choice is still evident today. There is no escaping the desire for something more that is poured into a people by men like Jacob Herline, who received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost in a prayer meeting In the Tiday home. It)( was the obedience and hunger by several, including charter members Ward Herline and Mary Martin that helped birth the Manns Choice Church of God.
In August of 1928, Joe Wilson left Ohio to come to Manns Choice. Services were begun in a tent and in November the church was formally organized with’ members in the home Bill and Saddle Scritchfield (where services were moved after the tent was burned down..
Growth continued
Manns Choice Church of God
The first church building was completed two years later. It sits near the top of the hill on Rest Home Road, on land donated by Pastor A.L. and Della Smith, next to their nursing home at the time.
The church continued growing spiritually and numerically through the ministries of our pastors Rev. Smith, Rev. J.A. Bixler, and Rev. Cecil Truesdell – who oversaw the building of the first parsonage beside the church.
Growth continued through pastors Rev. B. George Horton, Rev. Robert Vance, and Rev. T. David Sustar. The congregation grew rapidly under the pastorate of Rev. Sustar until the church realized the need for a much bigger facility as Sunday School classes were held in the parsonage and people had to stand during services. Rev. Sustar oversaw the purchasing of land along Route 31 in downtown Manns Choice to give the church a more public presence. A new brick church was constructed and dedicated on Easter Sunday, April 23, 1972 with 435 in attendance. The theme is displayed on the cornerstone: “To God be the glory.” Rev. Sustar also oversaw the building of the parsonage in 1974 on the new property.
Pastor D.L. Abbott oversaw the construction of the Fellowship Center in 1978. Pastor Richard Whetstone saw the need for expansion during his pastorate and oversaw the renovation of the church sanctuary and foyer expansion in 2001. The theme is displayed on the second cornerstone: “Expanding our borders for Christ.”
Our current pastor since 2015, Rev. Aaron Whetstone, has continued the tradition of anointed preaching, Spirit-led services, and exciting singing and worship. The church continues to grow in the Pentecostal tradition spiritually, numerically, and financially with an atmosphere of revival among the congregation – always looking toward the day of our savior Jesus Christ1s appearing.
