Our History

THE HERITAGE OF THE PAST . . .

In the spring of 1928 Fred and Laura Mae Leonard founded Visalia First Assembly with a membership of fourteen. The first few years the church was located in various buildings downtown including the second floor of the old Visalia Theater and a vacant pool room.

As the congregation continued to grow in the mid 30's they built a larger auditorium on property that was purchased at Conyer and Oak streets.The church settled here with additions and expansions for the next 39 years. In addition to expansion of the facility, the congregation also helped establish two other Assembly of God churches in Visalia.

In the summer of 1975 Visalia First Assembly broke ground on property that was purchased at Walnut and Demaree.

During the next 14 years under the leadership of pastor Ernest Kumpe, a new sanctuary, educational buildings, preschool, fellowship hall and gymnasium were built.
A preschool was established as well as Visalia Christian Academy.

In 1988 the church purchased 40 acres of property at Caldwell and Akers for future building.

In 1995 the Official Board of Visalia First Assembly extended an invitation to Rich Guerra to consider coming to Visalia to be the senior pastor of this thriving congregation. It was clear when the vote came in that God had prepared to take this church to the next level.

Easter Sunday 1995 was the Guerra's first Sunday and quickly he began to develop the pastoral staff and facilities to foster the growth of the church. At this time we were meeting at our Walnut Campus facility. Through the miracles of previous years we were finally able to break ground for our new multi use facility at Akers and Caldwell streets.

As our congregation caught God’s vision for the community and began to get involved and reach out our new facilities took shape. A ceremonial torch passing took place, our congregation lined the streets to pass the torch from the old location to the new location.

As a result of the faithfulness of our people, hundreds of new families of all nationalities and walks of life have come to worship at Visalia First Assembly. Hundreds are involved in ministry activities each week and the church is reaching out to meet the needs of the community in creative ways.
In October 2000, we officially dedicated our new facility located at Akers & Caldwell, a 40 acre lot with Worship Center.

In 2003 our church office complex and children's classrooms were completed.
Today we operate multiple ministries from both our Walnut Campus facility and Akers Campus facility.

In May 2007, Pastor Rich, after 12 years of ministry, resigned his Senior Pastor position to accept his newly elected position of Assistant Superintendent of the Southern California Assemblies of God.

As 2007 came to a conclusion the Deacon Team approached Mike & Karen Robertson about becoming the next lead pastor. On January 27, 2008, Mike and Karen were elected overwhelmingly as the 14th Senior Pastor in our history. In March of 2008, Pastor Mike and Pastor Karen joined the congregation and began their ministry in this great church.

Rev. Mike & Karen Robertson (2008-Current)
Rev. Rich & Coni Guerra (1995- 2007)
Rev. Ken & Kathy Dobson (1992-1994)
Rev. Bruce & Sharon Miles (1988-1991)
Rev. Ernest & Gladi Kumpe (1974-1988)
Rev. Harvey & Mary Mitchell (1967-1974)
Rev. Corbet & Inez Crace (1963-1967)
Rev. Harvey & Mary Mitchell (1950-1963)
Rev. Edgar & Helen White (1945-1950)
Rev. Charles & Gladys Pepper (1939-1945)
Rev. Coy & Retha Nicholson (1939)
Rev. Con & Retha Medley (1935-1939)
Rev. Gordon & Anita Shannon (1930-1935)
Rev. Fred & Laura Mae Leonard (founders - 1928)