MENDOTA UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH HISTORY
The United Pentecostal Church of Mendota began in March of 1974 with prayer meetings in the home of Mabel Dober in Mendota. Mabel had attended Princeton UPC for 17 years but had a desire to see a Pentecostal church started in Mendota. Rev. Oliver Spencer, her pastor at Princeton, was the overseer of the new work and members of their church came to support these services. In August of 1974, the ballroom of the old Faber Hotel in downtown Mendota was rented. Services were held on Tuesday evening and Sunday afternoon.
The first pastor was Rev. James Cahill and family who served from January 1975 to August 1976. Sunday attendance reached as high as forty. Several were baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost. After Pastor Cahill resigned, the church went without a pastor for nine months. During this time, Rev. Kenneth Wehrle of Rochelle and other area ministers came and conducted services.
In May of 1977, Rev. Harold Koonce was elected pastor, along with his wife, Bernice, and children, Jana, and Tim. Also, Rev. Charles and Devra Yeakel came to serve as assistant pastor which they did for two years before leaving for other ministry posts.
During the summer of 1977, the Faber Hotel was condemned, and the congregation moved to the back of the Setchell Insurance building in October of that year. Due to an increase in rent the church moved again in the fall of 1978 to the home of Pastor Koonce. A building fund was started with a goal of $10,000. Many baked sales and garage sales were held to raise money.
In the summer of 1979, three acres of land were purchased. On April 27, 1980, the ground-breaking service was held. After many long hours and much hard work, especially from Pastor and Mrs. Koonce, the church building was erected, and the first services were held August 30, 1980. That Sunday there were 19 people present. God began to bless the prayers, faith, and hard work of Pastor Koonce and the congregation, and many people began to be added to the kingdom of God; also, numerous miracles took place.
The congregation was growing and in 1988, the Yeakel family returned to serve as assistant pastor and later as co-pastor. The 60’ x 30’ building seated approximately 100 people and soon a larger sanctuary was needed.
On April 17, 1988, a ground-breaking service was held to add a bigger sanctuary, along with a kitchen, fellowship hall, and classrooms downstairs. The building was completed in November of that year. The first building was remodeled and is used as an educational wing.
In February of 1997, the Yeakel’s resigned their position and took the pastorate of the Oak Valley Church in central Illinois. Rev. Jason and Alyssa Cox came to serve as assistant pastor until 2001. The Lord’s blessings continued to be upon the church in Mendota.
While people have been converted most every year, there have been four outstanding seasons of Holy Spirit outpouring: 1983-84, 1993-94, 2000-01, and 2022. We are grateful to know that He is the Lord of the Harvest!
In December of 2003, after 26 ½ years of outstanding leadership, Rev. Harold and Bernice Koonce retired from the position of pastor. All the buildings on our property were constructed under his leadership and only eternity will reveal the impact that this couple had on Mendota and the Illinois District of the United Pentecostal Church International with their ministry and kindness. They continued to be a part of this church, supporting, and helping anyway they could until the Lord called them to Glory a few years ago.
In November of 2003, Rev. Charles and Devra Yeakel were elected as pastor and assumed their position in January 2004. Under their leadership the mortgage was paid off in 2005, and the church has been debt free ever since. Numerous improvements have been made to the property and funds are being saved for future expansion. Over the years the congregation has utilized various outreaches to connect with our community. Young and old are still being born again and are finding their place of service in the kingdom.
In September of 2021, Rev. Tim and Polly Koonce became our assistant pastor and what a blessing they have been to our congregation through teaching, preaching, leading services, and church maintenance projects!
In October of 2025, Pastor Yeakel announced his intention to retire in November of 2026. A few weeks later, the congregation voted for Rev. Tim Koonce to become the next pastor in December of 2026.
While we are grateful for our past, we look forward with excitement to the future! The God who was with this church at its inception is still blessing us today. To Him be all glory and praise!
