Church History
Our church began in May of 1982, when Rev. Phil Howard and his family answered a call from the Northeastern District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance to begin a new work in the Plattsburgh area.
The church began with just one other family, the Baldomir's. Initially, a few Sunday services were held at the Baldomir's and Howard's; however, the first official Sunday service was held on October 3, 1982 at the Holiday Inn, Plattsburgh, with an attendance of 10. This facility was rented to the congregation, and after one year, the average attendance was 50. Weekly prayer meetings were held at the Howard Johnson's and later on at the Fehr's.
In September of 1983, a Holiday Inn waitress informed us of the availability of the North Country Squares Building at the Clinton County Fairgrounds.
In October 1983, church services began at the "Squares" building. Now that a facility was available for the whole day, a Sunday evening service was added, as well as luncheons and evening fellowships.
May of 1984 brought some more "firsts". A baptismal service on May 13th was held at the YMCA, with 5 people being baptized. The first "commissioning service" for college students was also held on that day.
In September 1984, we had our first Missionary Conference with the meetings being held in private homes. By now the average Sunday attendance was 60 and soon the church became officially organized.
In 1985, many of the military families who attended the church were transferred. This was a particularly painful time for all. Some of these people had been with the church almost from the beginning.
However, the Lord taught us that, regardless of distance, He will someday bring us all together at Jesus' feet!
During the summer of 1985, Vacation Bible School was held at one family's home with an average attendance of 45. In the same month, a baptismal service was held on Lake Champlain with 11 baptisms. By the end of 1985, the average attendance was 70.
Winter of 1986 brought news of the Harris Graphics closing. This would ultimately cause one-third of the congregation to be transferred out of the area. Tearful farewells were accompanied by the confidence that God would supply their needs.
During these years, the need for a more permanent facility was evident. The people prayed, a building fund was started and many doors were opened only to be shut again.
Then, in the winter of 1987/88, property became available in an ideal location on Route 3 in West Plattsburgh. There were 6 acres of land and a brick 2 story house. After prayer and fasting, we decided to put in a bid for approximately $64,000. This was accepted and an informal dedication service was held March 6, 1988 with much praise given to the Lord.
In the summer of 1988, construction of a 35'x35' sanctuary addition began. Sunday services were still being held at the Squares building while remodeling and construction were going on. By the end of 1989, the average Sunday morning attendance was 93.
There was much happiness and joy as we moved into the new building and held our first Sunday service on March 25, 1990, with a fully equipped nursery, Sunday school rooms, kitchen, a handicap-accessible ramp, and restroom facilities. When God called Rev. Howard to become a college professor, we said a tearful goodbye and began our search for a new pastor.
In January of 1994, Rev. Bruce Overstreet and his family answered God's call to the North Country. Since that time, our church has continued to grow, and within a few years we found that we had outgrown the building on Route 3. After finding that we were unable to expand our building, due to town codes, we began to pray and fast again - and the Lord led us to our current location:
the base chapel on "the newer side of the old airforce base," at 7 Northern Avenue. For a price only slightly above the cost of the old building, we were able to purchase this facility with a much larger sanctuary!
Our first service was held here in December of 2001. The The North Country Alliance Church now serves over 200 people in the Plattsburgh area, emphasizing the all-sufficiency of our Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King.
God has already worked in hundreds of lives for His glory.
This story or "His"story of North Country Alliance Church is by no means completed.
The work has just begun. However, with a solid core of committed people, much will be accomplished to further God's Kingdom. The North Country Alliance Church family truly believes it when they sing...
"TO GOD BE THE GLORY
GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!"
To be continued...