The building might have changed, but after 100 years one thing remains a constant at Faith Temple of Sulphur.

“This is a wonderful place to worship and serve God with great people – not perfect people – but a place where you’ll be loved, find a family,” said Rev. Christopher Guidroz. “We’re committed to following Jesus and we worship him with vigor and joy.”

In a day and age that can seem like children and teens are falling away from the church, the youth department at Faith Temple of Sulphur is exploding, according to Rev. Guidroz, promising the celebration of future church anniversaries beyond its centennial.

Rev. Guidroz and the members of Faith Temple invite the public to experience what it means to worship at Faith Temple for themselves, and to help celebrate the anniversary of the church that began in 1922 when Rev. J.S. Frederick and Victor Hebert began “a work,”according to the history provided by long-time church member Janice Areno.

Sunday worship begins at 10 a.m. A special anniversary presentation will be held Sunday, March 19, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

What a perfect reminder of the Phillipians 1:6: “I am confident of this , that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.”

The same spirit that stirred the hearts of Mr. and Mrs. Vic Hebert at a tent revival stirs hearts at Faith Temple today of new members, of charter members, of all who seek spiritual growth, no matter where they are on their journey, Guidroz said.

Longtime church member Janice Areno provided the church history.  Church pioneers met in the home of the Heberts. Meetings were attended by Rudolph and Lezida Saunier, Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Boutte, Mr. and Mrs. DeBarge, Mr. Caesar Hebert, Mrs. Odile Hebert and Mr. and Mrs. J.S. and Edell Frederick. Meetings were soon moved to a one-room vacant house in Bayou D’Inde. It was owned by Mike Leyton.

The history Areno shared states, “Mrs Lydia Johnson said she had been praying for seven years for the Lord to send someone to her area to preach.”

Frederick was named pastor. The flock included John P. and Irene Areno, the grandparents of Joyce Elaine and Janice Areno. Both women, along with their brother, still attend the church. Other early church members were Henry and Pauline Hafer, Joe and Tini LeDoux, Mr. and Mrs. H.N. Broussard, Virgie Montgomery and Amady Hebert. The first church for this group was built on Burton Street in Sulphur near the old Sulphur mines. The second church was built at the 300 block of Main (N. Huntington) Street.

March 18, 1929, Faith Temple – which is now a nondenominational church – was officially chartered as the Pentecostal Assembly of Sulphur.  The Board of trustees were Rev. J.S. Frederick, Victor Hebert, Henry Hafer, John P. Areno, Sr. and Amandy Hebert. The church moved three blocks to Irwin St. in the 1940s During the pastorate of Rev. C.C. Williams, which began in 1948, the church became a non-denominational, full-gospel church. The Latter Rain Movement was a period marked by numerous reports of healing and other spiritual manifestations.

Joyce Areno was a teen and family life was closely intertwined with other teens who attended Faith Temple and the church activities.

“You have to remember, there were not as many activities everywhere in those times,” she said. “We had only one car and I was the oldest of six. I am thankful to my family for bringing me up in that way,” the 85-year-old said.

Rev. J. W. Byrd became pastor in 1962. He was followed by a succession of interim and short-term pastors: Revs. Mack Quinn, Sam Ravia, Odell Allen, Dwayne McCormick, Jessie Coplin, Birchie Mae Rountree, and Don Whitt. In 1971, Rev. Sidney Fontenot began the first of three occasions to serve as pastor. In August 1978, Rev. Larry LaFleur began his service at Faith Temple.  A decision to move the church location was made by the congregation and 4.2 acres were purchased at 1200 Patton Street – where the church is now – in 1980.  Plans for the new facility were drawn up under building committees consisting of Marvin Robinson, Steve Aguillard, Darrell Istre, Roger Cox, John Stokes, Ken Morris, and Rev. LaFleur.  Actual construction of the new facilities was directed by Clyde Irby as contractor and Ellis Benckenstein as President of the Board of Trustees, along with other board members-Al Spence, Al Sharp, Willis Firestone, Jesse Motes, Chuck White, Ray Lyles, and Janice Areno.

In Oct. 1984, Rev. Sidney Fontenot returned as interim. In Sept. 1985, Rev. Gene Vincent began his tenure. Rev. Charles Holt, Jan. 1989.  In April 1992, Rev. Fontenot returned. Nov.1998 until Oct. 1999, the church was served by the ministry team of R. Brooks Fleig, Nanette Cagney, and Mike and Lana Hafner.  Rev. Charles S. Owens, III, served until June 2000 when Rev. R. Brooks Fleig took the helm. Rev. Donald Robinson served from May 2004 until Feb. 2005.  Mike and Lana Hafner, March 2005 until Oct. 2014. Rev. Marcus Wade, until Sept. 2016.