History

Honouring The Fathers Down Through The Years

Victory’s rich pentecostal heritage dates back to the early twentieth century with roots embedded deep in the Assemblies of God.  This church was the original First Assembly of God in Auckland. Prior to 1927 the Church was an informal group of believers meeting in a variety of rented halls around central Auckland, hiring the Town Hall for special meetings such as those held when British healing evangelist Smith Wigglesworth came to town.  The church cash book from that time shows a 1924 payment of four pounds, thirteen shillings and sixpence (about $12.00) for use of the Town Hall Concert Chamber.  In 2011, almost 86 years later, that same Concert Chamber can be hired for $1955.00. Inflation indeed!

*For a comprehensive history of the AOG we recommend Ian G. Clark’s seminal book ‘Pentecost at the ends of the earth.  The history of the Assemblies of God in New Zealand (1927-2003)’ 

In the beginning…

Pastor A H Brown 

  • First Assembly of God in Auckland is officially affiliated on September 1st, 1927.  Founding father, A H Brown, is the first to hold the position of Pastor following the church’s affiliation with the Assemblies of God*.
1928 – 1929

Pastor John Hewitt 

  • Church meets in the East Street Hall in Symonds Street.
  • After serving in Auckland, Pastor Hewitt re-locates to Wellington where he pastors a second assembly.  He conducts short revival campaigns in many assemblies outside the two main centres.*
1929 – 1935

Dr R H Fallon

  • A measure of the esteem in which retired medical doctor Pastor Fallon was held is expressed in a log entry from the national Assemblies’ 1929 conference which records ‘a deep personal regard for our brother whose character and love we much appreciate.’*
  • Church meets in Coral Hall in Symonds Street.
1935

Pastor Cecil Scadden

  • Prior to pastoring Auckland Assembly, Mr & Mrs Cecil Scadden ran a property in Palmerston North known to many as the ‘Hallelujah Farm’.
  • Church meets in Masonic Hall in Symonds Street.
1936 – 1945

Pastor GA Knauf

  • In the years preceding and during World War II the Pentecostal message is faithfully broadcast from the pulpit.
  • Church still meets in the Masonic Hall in Symonds Street.
1945 – 1952

Pastor Wallis Thompson

  • So frequently did Pastor Thompson weep as he preached of Christ’s love that his wife eventually began tucking a handkerchief inside every pocket of his waistcoat and jacket before he left for church each Sunday morning.*
  • Church meets in tiny hall above a butcher’s shop at 29 Khyber Pass Road.
1953 – 1956

Pastors Harvey & Rose Ferrell

  • It was said of Pastor Ferrell that he ‘…quickened our vision of greater things to be accomplished by God’s grace in New Zealand and has set many on fire for God.’* 
  • Church continues to meet above butcher’s shop until 1956.  Pastor Ferrell initiates the building programme for premises at 510 Queen Street.
1957 – 1958

Pastors Roy & Mary Tregenza

  • In late 1956 the building programme at 510 Queen Street is completed.  The bulk of the work is done by voluntary labour at a time of national economic hardship.
1958 – 1960

Pastors Howard & Ruth Carter

  • Pastor Howard ‘was a splendid teacher’ and his wife Ruth ‘an able speaker in her own right’.*
  • 510 Queen Street is new home address for the church.
1960 – 1966

Pastor John Wood

  • In the face of deepening national pessimism that the AOG as a movement is doomed Pastor John Wood boldly stands and exhorts the Executive Council to “hold fast!  We have great truth and a great tradition.  The Lord will help us if we faithfully go about His business.  Our time will come.”* How right he was.
1966 – 1969

Pastors Bob & Noelle Midgely

  • The 60s and 70s births the Charismatic Movement which brings hundreds of new believers into the church.  Congregation rapidly doubles from 500 up to 1000.
1969 – 1983

Pastors Neville & Josie Johnson

  • Church outgrows its venue and returns again to hiring the Auckland Town Hall.
  • The late 70s and early 80s sees the Church multiply to become the largest Pentecostal church in Australasia.
  • 1980, February 4th – the Church’s Trust Board agrees to purchase a piece of land at 98 Beaumont Street in Freemans Bay, Auckland.
  • 1982, January 6th – construction works commence on-site at 98 Beaumont Street.
 1984 – 1987

 Pastors Kem & Jo Price

  • Under the leadership of Pastor Kem Price the beautiful building is completed.
  • 1985, May 11th - Opening celebration of building at 98 Beaumont Street.
  • 1985, July 5th - The name Queen Street Assembly of God is officially altered to become Auckland Assembly of God.
 1988 – 1992

 Pastors Rick & Diane Seaward

  • 1986, February - Church faces a mortgage debt crisis – needs a huge sum before June 6th to meet its mortgage commitments.
  • 1990, June 17th - Calvary Charismatic Centre in Singapore makes a loan to the Church to meet its mortgage commitment.
  • Preparation for harvesting, restructuring, and releasing of Holy Spirit gifts.
 1993 – present day

 Pastors Max  & Bev Legg

  • 1993, April 22th - Holy Spirit visitation on Auckland Christian School
  • 1994, September - Holy Spirit renewal wave hits the church
  • 1995, April 12th - God’s mighty deliverance from Mortgagee Auction
  • 1995, October 12th - AAOG makes final payment to Calvary Charismatic Centre in Singapore in full settlement of its loan.
  • 2003, March 5th - Harbour View Church Trust (formerly known as AAOG)  officially changes its name to Victory Christian Church Property Trust
  • 2009, September 21th - Stage 1 reinstatement construction commences on-site.
  • The great work of building God’s Church and harvesting His fields goes on…

 
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