History of SRM
Solid Rock Ministries is the product of an assembly that began in a storefront in the city on South Broadway around 1957. This assembly was known as The Southside Pentecostal Church. The small assembly purchased a building at 5624 South Compton, which was originally built to house the First Hoffmeister Mortuary, however; now the mortuary had become a place where those who were dead in their sins could come and find life more abundantly. Several precious men of God Pastored this small flock over a period of 12 years and then in the fall of 1969 the Southside Pentecostal Church, which was comprised of 21 people, elected James D. Manning as their new pastor.
The building and property were in poor repair, however, with the enthusiasm of a young pastor and the untiring labor of dedicated people; this small group transformed the building and grounds into a beautiful place of worship. They then voted to rename the church as the Southside United Pentecostal Church. The attendance on Sunday had grown from 21 to approximately 100 in six months and revival was sweeping through the community. A bus ministry was begun and in a matter of a few months the 200 and the 300 barriers were broken! This necessitated the purchasing of a house, an apartment complex and more facilities to house this rapid growing congregation. Easter Sunday of 1974 there were 408 in attendance! It was during this time that Pastor Manning felt a heavy burden to begin a work in southwest St. Louis community called Fenton. Upon apprising the congregation of his burden, a vote was taken by unanimous decision to retain a work in South City and yet take a group of people to Fenton to begin a brand new work for the Lord. Then early one morning Pastor Manning awoke to what was thought to be a terrible nightmare. However, that terrible nightmare turned out to be the first step in a dream becoming a reality. On February 23, 1980 the Southside United Pentecostal Church was destroyed by fire that consumed our place of worship.
The congregation then searched for various places to worship and turned a renovated theater into a place where God would show His wonderful works. We occupied this building from March to September. It was at this time that Pastor Manning felt we should make a move. A small group of 52 people followed Pastor Manning to Fenton, MO where he would be the founding pastor of a growing, vibrant assembly. Pastoring those remaining in the city was Rev. Ed Potz, who served as one of Pastor Manning's assistants. The congregation in Fenton chose as their new name: The Solid Rock United Pentecostal Church, that would become The Solid Rock Ministries, Inc. We rented a hall from what was known then as the Stratford House Hotel. While at the Stratford House Hotel the Lord spread manifold blessings. We saw many miracles, people receiving the Holy Ghost and many lives changed by the power of God.
A beautiful 4.3 acre parcel of land was purchased on Highway 141 directly across from the Fenton City Hall. On November 29, 1981 the sound of the shovel splitting the ground brought tears of joy to the small gathering of saints. From that day on there was such excitement, as though a newborn had been brought home. With great anticipation we watched as the foundation was laid, then the walls went up, the folding chairs went up and we began to rejoice in our new home. Then the small seed that was planted at 630 New Smizer Mill Road began to grow. The church was growing both numerically and spiritually, new people from the community and the surrounding areas began to come and receive the great truth of God's word. We began to rejoice anew as we saw people come and repent of their sins, being baptized in Jesus name, and being filled with the Holy Ghost.
The church grew, and in a matter of a few months the folding chairs were replaced with pews, the podium was replaced with a pulpit, the concrete floors covered with carpet. God was truly blessing Solid Rock. He began to fill our new house of worship with His marvelous presence. We saw those who had cancer instantly healed. The church experienced phenomenal growth by doubling the first year and then again the second year and with a consistent growth to where our Sunday Night services were averaging well over 300 consistently.
With the steady increase in membership we began to speculate about the possibility of starting a Daycare. Speculation became reality in April of 1985, when Stepping Stone Academy was started. Stepping Stone Academy's initial enrollment was 3 children with a staff of 1. It has had an enrollment as high as 71 children along with a very lengthy waiting list and a full-time staff of 11 workers. We feel that Stepping Stone Academy has been a way of letting the community know we care.
Then in the fall of 1993, due to the widening of Highway 141, the church was forced to sell our facilities and left us without a place to call home. To begin with, a few services were held at a local golf country club facility and then for approximately 2 years we rented gym facilities from the Rockwood School District. In September of 1995 we transformed Villa Royale banquet center into a comfortable place to worship. We had to enlarge to house our continuing growth. A beautiful piece of property was then purchased on Highway 30 and Summit Road, 5 ½ acres where approximately 29,000 cars a day pass would become our new home.
Our current location seats 550 with a large fellowship hall along with a nice educational facility and office complex. We moved into this facility in November of 1997. In 2002 our congregation would weather a storm that would create a smaller yet stronger and more unified church family. We are presently involved in missions around the world as well as our own community. With a diverse congregation of age, ethnicity, and backgrounds our church has a multitude of ministries that effectively reach the needs of all.
Solid Rock Ministries not only ministers to the needs of those who attend regularly scheduled services, but we also reach out to the community. We have services at the Cori-Manor Nursing Home every Sunday. They appreciate these services and we love and appreciate them. We also have members who minister to the inmates in a local prison every Saturday evening. We have inmates who have repented of their sins, been baptized in Jesus Name and received the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues. These services are extremely beneficial to the inmates and a blessing to those who minister.
We know and realize what the Psalmist said is true; "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh (but) in vain." (Psalms 127:1) And truly the Lord is the Builder of Solid Rock Ministries.