Featured Branch:
Tehachapi, California

In 1939, Reverend Frances Jensen learned of a group of people in Tehachapi, California who wanted to start a church. He had a desire to work with them, so he moved with his wife, Carol, and their children, Joy, Faith, and Samuel, to the city of Tehachapi. There he established the Full Gospel church. Many of the early members were migrants to California from Oklahoma. Reverend Jensen evangelized the area around Tehachapi, including Lorraine, California, where he found a group of Piute Indians. Several family members of this tribe were saved, and members of their families still attend the church today.

In 1948, the Full Gospel church became affiliated with the Apostolic Faith Church, with headquarters in Portland, Oregon. Church services were held in a Tehachapi landmark, the Brite House, which was also the Jensen's home. An earthquake in 1952 caused serious damage throughout Tehachapi, including the Brite House, which was damaged beyond repair.

It was decided that the damaged building should be torn down, and that a new church should be built on the same site. The old building was torn down, with the entire congregation participating in that effort. Women of the congregation pulled nails and stacked the old lumber. This used lumber was sold, and the money received went toward the building of the new church. Some local businesses donated supplies. While the church was under construction, the congregation met in the Boy Scout Hall.

During construction of the new church, volunteer workers came from several other Apostolic Faith churches, including Portland, Eureka, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The men of the Los Angeles church shouldered the main responsibility, from the wrecking of the old structure to the final approval of the new church. Reverend Loyce Carver was pastor in Los Angeles at the time and served as the purchasing agent. The project supervisor gave up his own job for several months not only to oversee the job, but to have in hand in every phase of the project. The women of the Tehachapi church prepared meals for the workers. Sometimes the food was served on the job site, while at other times they would go to a church member's home to eat.

The construction project progressed rapidly, and dedication of the new church building was held on April 25, 1954. Reverend Robert Crawford, General Overseer of the Apostolic Faith Church traveled from Portland to officiate. He was assisted by Reverend Allen Crabtree, who conducted a revival campaign through the following week.

Marguerette Crowell pastored the Tehachapi church from 1989 – 1996; Reverend John Friesen pastored from 1996 – 1997.

Reverend Mark Staller became pastor of the Tehachapi church in 1997. During his tenure, a number of improvements have increased the beauty and comfort of the church. A new electric piano/keyboard has been purchased, new carpet has been installed, the theatre-type chairs have been replaced with pews, and a new sound system and new lighting have been added.

Reverend Staller and his wife, Sylvia, extend an invitation to everyone to come and enjoy the meetings with the Tehachapi congregation.