Grants Pass, Oregon, is a city of about 23,000 people, and is located approximately 250 miles south of Portland, Oregon, and about 30 miles northwest of Medford, Oregon. It is nestled in the beautiful Rogue River Valley. Almost completely surrounding the city are mountains, which tower some 3000 feet above the valley floor. The Rogue River runs through the city and provides a famous tourist attraction for people from all over the world. Listed as one of the five best places to retire in the United States, Grants Pass is growing as families discover the beautiful natural environment and lifestyle of this area. Fishermen and hunters are especially attracted to the Grants Pass area. Local schools are known as some of the finest in the state of Oregon, with new facilities, good teachers, and excellent support from the community.

The earliest Apostolic Faith Church work in Southern Oregon took place in Medford, Grants Pass, and surrounding areas. In 1917, Reverend Florence Crawford and her son, Reverend Raymond Crawford, along with Reverend Clarence Frost and others, came to Grants Pass and held meetings in a tent pitched on “A” Street. In 1919, meetings were held in the Baptist Church in Williams. In about 1920, meetings were held in Wilderville. The schoolhouse in Selma served as another meeting place. In 1920, several families of Gospel workers moved to Grants Pass to help spread the Gospel in this area. There wasn't a church in Grants Pass at that time, so the people traveled to Medford for Sunday meetings.

In 1922, a hall was rented on “G” Street for $10 a month. It was in these meetings that a lady was miraculously healed of cancer, and several of her family members came to the Lord. A place called Richardson 's Hall was rented in 1931. God worked in a mighty way during this time. As many as two hundred people at a time attended the meetings in the rented hall. For a while in 1939, a portable tabernacle was set up on 5th and “I” Street. Cottage meetings were held, while granges, schools, and halls were used when available. An open air Packard with a loud speaker was employed to announce church services to the outlying areas of Golden, Glendale, Galice, Merlin, Wonder, Takilma, Eagle Point, Lakeview, Butte Falls, and Reese Creek.

The work of the Lord was prospering, and it was time for a permanent address. In 1941, the original Josephine County jail at 422 NW Second and “F” Street was purchased and remodeled into a church. Between the walls where an angry prisoner once set fire to his cell and where two men were hung, people now prayed, sang, and heard the Word of God. Three of the former inmates lived to see the day when they would worship God under the same roof where they were once confined.

The first meeting in this building was held on February 7, 1942. A young lady was saved in that first meeting and was playing the piano in the second meeting. Workers were literally ‘prayed' in. The church has now been at the same address for more than sixty years. There have been several remodels and add-ons, the latest taking place in 1980. From the steeple on the outside to the serene ambience on the inside, this truly feels like the House of God.

Reverend Lowell Montgomery was the first pastor of the Grants Pass church. Following him were Reverends DeWitt Myers, Bob Hanlin, Ed Pallett, Forest Damron, Lee Nix, Emerson Matthews, Jim Seely, Ivon Wilson, Dick Taylor, Jim Maxwell, and Nolan Roby. This brings us up to the present, where Reverend Rob Wakefield and his wife Bonnie currently serve.

Today the Grants Pass ministerial staff includes: Pastor Rob Wakefield and Brother Peter Sletmoe. Sunday school, mission meetings, rest home visitations, orchestra and choir are some of the many outreach opportunities enjoyed by our church. Once a month the men hold a prayer lunch and the ladies participate in a luncheon. We also have family nights, youth outings, retreats and special meetings that we look forward to throughout the year. Evangelization in Southern Oregon has resulted in the development of a solid congregation in Grants Pass.

Grants Pass is a growing church with a bright future, should the Lord tarry. We cordially invite you to come and worship with us—and stay as long as you like!

Information about the schedule of services for the church in Grants Pass is available here.