Memories of Wallace Heritage - Official website of Rev. JO Wallace

One of the most restful scenes of the Tennessee District Camp Ground is that of Rev. and Mrs. J.
W. Wallace relaxed on the front porch of their cottage home enjoying a breeze while trees
whisper and flowers nod their colorful heads - natures way blending itself with two sweet lives
that have been lived. Those who know them cannot envy their rest. Theirs has been a life of
service and dedication.
In the year of 1941, Brother Wallace went to Nashville in an effort to establish something for the
glory of God. He began with prayer meeting in homes scattered about the city. That year a tent
and lots were purchased by faith. The following year a basement building was erected to house a
few faithful saints. Then came world war two with scarcity of materials and inflationary prices,
but in spite of all the odds which seemed so heavily against him, he continued to go forward in
the of the Lord.
In 1948, a beautiful church building was dedicated unto God. It stands as beautifully as ever on
the corner of 51st and Delaware Avenues as a monument to the courage, faith and untiring
efforts of Brother and Sister Wallace.
However, Brother Wallace was not content with his success alone there. During his sixteen
years in Nashville, he was able to assist and encourage the building of three other congregations:
Goodlettsville, Woodbine, Oak Ridge, which today are thriving churches in the Tennessee
District.
Brother and Sister Wallace came to grace the Camp Ground with their presence in the year of
1956, and to be at home in retirement from the joyous task of pastoring. He resigned his work in
Nashville due to ill health.
May God grant them many quiet evenings of soft breeze and many nights of restful sleep. They
are very deserving.
Other references to the ministry of Rev. J. W. Wallace:
http://www.firstchurchnashville.net/about/index.html
First Church was founded by Pastor J. W. Wallace with tenure of 15
years. Due to physical conditions, he resigned in 1956. Rev. L. H.
Benson was then elected to succeed him. He served as Pastor for four
years. These years were fruitful ones. Rev. C. M. Becton of Little
Rock, Arkansas was elected as pastor in September 1960. Again the
Church experienced remarkable growth. In 1968, C. M. Becton left to
serve as Secretary of the United Pentecostal Church International in
St. Louis, Mo. During these intervening years, Ron Newstrand, Brian
Welburn and James Boutwell served as pastors. Rev. C.M. Becton
returned as Pastor in 1976 until 1982. After serving here as youth pastor for 6 years, Rev. Ron
Becton was elected pastor in 1982. It has been during his pastorate that the expansion of the
facility at 5100 Wyoming was completed and the present location at 7512 Charlotte Pike also
completed. Rev. Michael Rickenbaker also has served full-time as assistant to the pastor since
1986 to present.