HISTORY OF "AAC"

July 11, 2011 marked the 92nd year of ministry of the Aberdeen Alliance Church in Aberdeen, SD.  We affectionately refer to ourselves today as "AAC".  Our official date of incorporation was July 11, 1919 under the name of "Christian & Missionary Alliance of Aberdeen".  Did you notice that the word "church" was not in the incorporated name?  Our name was officially changed on January 29, 1979 to "The Aberdeen Alliance Church of the Christian & Missionary Alliance".  Hence, we say "AAC" and people know who we are.

 In the 92 years of ministry of this church, we have been served by 25 Senior Pastors, 1 retired interim Pastor and 5 Assistant or Youth Pastors.  Some have become District Superintendent's, some have served at the National Office of the C&MA, some have written books, and some have served at Crown College as professors and administrators.  One interesting note is that the third pastor to serve AAC was a woman.

Over the course of 92 years, AAC has been located at several places throughout Aberdeen.  Not all can be identified as there were several rental facilities.  One location mentioned in board minutes was near the county courthouse and another mentioned was on South Lincoln St.  Several rental addresses listed areas on South Main.

It was in 1936 that lots were obtained at 315 S 2nd St. and the Tabernacle from Tacoma Park was transported in sections to the site and reassembled.  In 1946 a lot was purchased on the corner of 9th Ave and South Main Street.  A little white church was moved onto the property from Brentford and then was majorly remodeled in the 60's.  The facility was then sold in the mid 80's and our present church facility was built and was completed in February of 1988.

AAC has also been involved with church plants as well.  In the early 70's Pastor Leon Jensen drove each week to the Leola area and served a congregation and they later joined with the Aberdeen church.  In the late 70's, Pastor Jack Couchey opened a work at Houghton which became a C&MA Church and from which there was started the Groton C&MA.  During the 80's, AAC helped with the establishment of a church in the Doland area.  in 2006, AAC released Youth Pastor, Devin Hebeisen and 33 people and funds to start The Journey Church in Aberdeen

Following is a snapshot of early-year points of interest gleaned from about 40 years of board minutes:

• 1925 rented a hall between 6th and 7th Ave on Main St for $45/month

• 1926 parsonage rent $20/month

• 1929 VBS held for three weeks

• 1934-1936 mentions about tabernacle at Tacoma Park and possibly moving it to Aberdeen

• 1939 began holding Bible study on Friday and Wednesdays

• 1947 coal cost $100 for a month's supply

• 1947 built a steeple and added 2 gothic windows

• 1951 - November 10th, Reva Salfrank joined the church

• 1957 Pastor given a two-week vacation

• 1957 District dues raised from 1% to 2% of church offerings.

• On January 16, 1958, it was noted in the minutes that the church was free of debt and on a fairly sound financial basis.  Mr. Olson, the treasurer, said, "All praise, glory and thanks be to God for our church growth.  All need to continue to pray that the church should continue to win souls to Christ."  Mr. A.J. Forkel commented, "In reviewing the past 10 years of our church's history, we can see our church has progressed and this was possible only because God has blessed us to abundantly both in the spiritual and material needs, in souls saved and blessing received."

• The mission of AAC:  "To help people become passionately committed followers of Jesus Christ."  That mission hasn't changed since the church started in 1919.