First Pentecostal Church of North Little Rock
| First Pentecostal Church of North Little Rock | |
|---|---|
| FPCNLR, Our Lady of the Freeway | |
 Official logo | |
 | |
| 34°46′53″N 92°15′08″W / 34.7815°N 92.2523°W | |
| Address | 1401 Calvary Rd, North Little Rock, AR |
| Country |  United States |
| Denomination | Independent |
| Tradition | Oneness Pentecostal |
| Website | www.fpcnlr.com |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Michael R. Hahn |
| Style | Beaux Arts |
| Years built | 2000—2003 |
| Groundbreaking | 14 February 1999 |
| Completed | November 2003 |
| Construction cost | $13 million |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 2,875 |
| Floor area | 69,000 ft (21,000 m) sanctuary, 3,364 ft (1,025 m) rotunda |
| Dome height (inner) | 75 ft (23 m) |
| Dome diameter (inner) | 52 ft (16 m) |
| Spire height | 193 ft (59 m) |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Joel Holmes |
| Pastor(s) | Nathan Holmes |
First Pentecostal Church of North Little Rock (FPCNLR) is an independent Oneness Pentecostal megachurch located in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The church building seats 2,875, and the assembled congregation can reach up to 4,500 during large events. Due to its size and extravagance, the campus is referred to by locals as Our Lady of the Freeway.[1]
History
[edit]FPCNLR began in the late 1930s, initially meeting in a storefront on East Washington Street with a small group of 20 Pentecostal believers. Under the leadership of A.O. Holmes, who became pastor in 1946, the congregation grew, moving to a two-story house at Second and Buckeye, where they later built a church in 1949. After a fire destroyed the building in 1970, the church built a new building in Park Hill, where they stayed for 22 years.[2] In 1998, the congregation purchased ten acres on Interstate 40, where they eventually constructed and moved into a new sanctuary on November 22, 1992. In the late 1990s, the church drew up plans for a major building expansion. Building began in 2000, and the new facility was completed in November 2003.[3] Its first service was on Easter Sunday, April 11, 2004, and they have remained in that location until today.[4] The church is pastored by Nathan Holmes, with his father (the son of A.O. Holmes), Joel Holmes, serving as bishop.[5]
Beliefs
[edit]As a Oneness Pentecostal church, FPCNLR adheres to Oneness Pentecostal doctrines, particularly emphasizing the necessity of repentance, water baptism in the name of Jesus, and receiving the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.[6] The church also emphasizes holiness, both in personal lifestyle and worship practices, maintaining traditional Oneness Pentecostal values.[7] The church is not affiliated with any particular Oneness Pentecostal organization, remaining independent.[1]
Campus and facilities
[edit]FPCNLR is situated on a 175-acre campus at the junction of I-30 and I-40.[8] The $13 million main sanctuary, completed in 2004, features a seating capacity of 2,875 people,[9][10] with seating for larger events being expanded to 4,500.[11][12] The campus also contains a chapel with 280 seats and the $7 million former sanctuary that now houses church offices and the church's school.[2][13]
Architecture
[edit]The building was designed by architect Michael R. Hahn and built by Matson Construction, while the stained glass was done by IHS Studios.[2][3] The building is in the Beaux Arts style. Distinct features of the building include a 193 ft. steeple, a 69,000 sq. ft. sanctuary made of marble (including 2,000-year-old stone from Jerusalem), a 3,364 sq. ft. rotunda, a 75 ft. high dome with 2,400 sq. ft. of stained glass, an additional 4,500 sq. ft. of stained glass throughout the facility, and a 25 ft. statue of the angel Gabriel lofted in the main sancutuary.[1][2][3][13]
Events
[edit]I AM Easter production
[edit]I AM is FPCNLR's yearly Easter production, performed in various forms since 2014.[14] The show features a cast of 500 adults and children, a 50-person choir, live animals, and special effects. The script is based on the English Standard Version of the gospel of John, with music recorded by Prague Philharmonic Orchestra serving as part of the show's soundtrack, alongside live music.[15] In 2024, the production was attended by roughly 20,000 people across all showings.[16]
Arkansas International Camp Meeting
[edit]Arkansas International Camp Meeting (ARICM) is a yearly camp meeting hosted by FPCNLR since 1948.[17][18] Previous meetings have been attended by upwards of 4,500 people.[11] In 2018, the conference hosted a live recording to commemorate the 70th ARICM.[19]
All Nations Sunday
[edit]Since 2021, the church has held an annual All Nations Sunday to recognize the "different nationalities, cultures, and ethnicities" in the church.[20] The event is open to the public and features free ethnic food and a concert. Participants often wear clothing corresponding to the nation they represent.[21] In 2022, the event was attended by 1,500 people.[20]
Funeral of Patrick Henry Hays
[edit]In 2023, the memorial service of former mayor and Arkansas House of Representatives member Pat Hays was held at FPCNLR.[22] The service was attended by over 1,000 friends and family, and speakers included North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick and former president Bill Clinton.[23]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Boice, David (28 August 2016). "The Pri¢e of Pro$perity Go$pel". Medium. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d McCord, Robert (23 April 2004). "'Our Lady of the Freeway'". Arkansas Times. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "A New Stained-Glass Church Dome". Traditional Building. Active Interest Media. 13 February 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "Our History". First Pentecostal Church Of North Little Rock. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "Pastoral Leadership". First Pentecostal Church Of North Little Rock. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "What Does it Mean to be Pentecostal?". First Pentecostal Church Of North Little Rock. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "Our Beliefs". First Pentecostal Church Of North Little Rock. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "First Pentecostal Buys Up More Land in NLR". Arkansas Business. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "First Pentecostal Church In NLR holds in-person service". Fox 16. 13 May 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ Jones, Francisca (11 May 2020). "Arkansas churches welcome back congregations after two months". Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Clark Completes World's First Installation Of Wavefront Precision At First Pentecostal". Martin Audio. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ Low, Guy (13 May 2005). "Telex Communications Total Sound System Solution Installed at First Pentecostal Church, Little Rock, AR". Electro-Voice. Archived from the original on 31 August 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ a b "First Pentecostal Church North Little Rock Remains Faithful to Martin Audio". Church Production Magazine. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ Reep, Kelli (10 March 2024). "Artists of the Month: First Pentecostal Church of North Little Rock". 501 LIFE Magazine. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ Lockwood, Frank (2 April 2022). "North Little Rock church resumes live Easter drama performance". Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ Grear, Daniel (26 March 2024). "First Pentecostal's 'I AM' Easter show is both over the top and riveting". Arkansas Times. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ "Arkansas International Campmeeting 2018". Arkansas Campmeeting. Archived from the original on 5 August 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
- ^ "Arkansas International Campmeeting 2017". Arkansas Campmeeting. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
- ^ Arbet, DeVante (18 April 2019). "It is Settled, New Album from the First Pentecostal Church International, Now Available". The Gospel Guru. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ a b Lockwood, Frank (28 October 2023). "North Little Rock church's festival offers food from around the globe". Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ Lockwood, Frank (6 November 2021). "First Pentecostal Church in North Little Rock celebrates unity, diversity with international food festival". Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ Battles, Miriam (12 October 2023). "Memorial service held for former North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Henry Hays". KARK. NBC. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ Eichkorn, Paige (13 October 2023). "Former North Little Rock mayor Hays remembered for his faith and service during funeral Thursday". Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Retrieved 6 September 2024.