And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
II Timothy 3:15 (KJV)
The story of Freetown Apostolic Pentecostal Church began on November 6, 1976, when the congregation held its very first service under the leadership of Brother Fred McCory. Pastor McCory carried a deep vision for the congregation: he dreamed of building a beautiful house of worship on the east side of Freetown. Moving forward in faith, Brother McCory purchased ten lots at 6892 N. Hayes Avenue on April 24, 1978. Ready to see the vision come to life, he asked his son, Brother Neal McCory, to oversee the construction of the new building.
During this time, the family faced a sudden trial. Brother Neal McCory, historically a strong and robust man, fell deeply ill. Following a doctor's visit, he was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis. Though medication offered some relief, he remained far too weak to take on the physical demands of building a church.
The trial deepened when the Lord called Brother Fred McCory home on December 26, 1978. Yet, in the midst of grief, God provided a miracle. The night before his father’s funeral, the Lord completely healed Brother Neal McCory, restoring his strength. Answering a divine calling, Brother Neal picked up his father’s mantle and stepped forward as the new pastor of Freetown Pentecostal Church.
With renewed health and vision, Pastor Neal McCory revived the building plans and broke ground on the new property on July 19, 1980. Just a few months later, on November 2, 1980, Brother Fred McCory’s dream was officially fulfilled. Pastor Neal McCory opened the doors to 6892 N. Hayes Avenue for its inaugural service, welcoming twenty-five people into the new sanctuary that Sunday morning.
After twenty-seven years of faithful leadership, Brother Neal McCory retired from the pastorate in 2005 and transitioned into the role of Bishop, where he continued to shepherd the congregation until the Lord called him home on October 18, 2022.
Following Bishop Neal McCory's retirement from the pulpit in 2005, his son-in-law, Brother Tim Brown, stepped into office as pastor. Brother Tim Brown led the congregation with dedication for sixteen years until November 6, 2021—exactly forty-five years to the day after the church's very first service—when Pastor Ben McCory took office as the new pastor. Today, Brother Tim Brown continues to serve the church in his current role as Bishop, working alongside Pastor Ben McCory to guide the congregation forward.
From the very beginning, Christian education and youth ministry have been the heartbeat of Freetown Apostolic Pentecostal Church. In the early days, Sister Taylor served as one of the first Sunday School teachers and youth leaders, teaching a class that consisted solely of Bishop and Sister McCory's four children.
From those humble beginnings, God has blessed our church with tremendous growth. Today, our Sunday School department flourishes with an average weekly attendance of 30 children, lovingly guided by a dedicated team of 15 staff members.
At FAPC, the desire of our Sunday School Ministry is to see that every child feels important; and as they attend our classes, we want their learning experience to be a life changing experience that will last a lifetime. We know that Sunday school is a vital part of a child's life. Our mission is: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) Our teachers and helpers are dedicated to much prayer, and they are consecrated to teaching the love of God to the children that God has placed in our life, and they diligently work to share God's love with them. God has blessed us with many children and young people, and for that we give Him all the Glory. Our mission is to obey the commission ... Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15. We are looking forward to the greatest Sunday School revival at FAPC. It is a life changing experience. Come and join us!