Our History
European History
Whitton Avenue Bible Church comes from an Apostolic Christian background. The book about Apostolic Church history, Marching to Zion by Perry Klopfenstein, states: “The Apostolic Christian Church considers itself to be raised up in the tradition of the ‘free church.’” The Apostolic Christian Church is the result of the Radical Reformation and the Anabaptist movement of the sixteenth century that followed the Reformation begun by Martin Luther. This “free church” identifies those who pattern their lives after the literal ways of the New Testament.
The passionate ministry of Samuel Heinrich Froehlich, born on July 4, 1803 in Switzerland, led to the start of the “Assembly of Evangelical Baptists” In Europe. With all the fervor of a Paulian ministry, Froehlich traveled extensively, preaching to many different congregations, planting churches, and strengthening persecuted saints. The Evangelical Baptist congregations were born out of Froehlich’s effort to unify the different Baptists (such as the Mennonites and Anabaptists) in Europe. Congregations took root in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, and France, and Yugoslavia, as well as around the world by the mid-1800’s. This gathering of different Baptist groups contributes to the rich theological background of the Apostolic Christian Church.
Journey to America
Famines and persecution became so severe in Europe that families began immigrating to America between 1850 and 1860. Two such emigrating families, the Virklers and Farneys, were instrumental in establishing congregations in New York and beyond after emigrating in 1834. Peter Virkler went all the way to Oregon establishing churches. Congregations soon sprung up in New England and in other places across America.
In 1854, Andrew Braun took his family and entire congregation from Schweinfurt, Bavaria to Peoria, Illinois to establish a church and to escape persecution. From this congregation and one in Mansfield, Ohio came many of the Whitton Avenue Bible Church founders.
To the Desert
Families and individuals came to Arizona for various reasons, most of them having to do with family connections. John and Bill Goettl came from Ohio in 1934 and established Goettl Brothers Air Conditioning in 1939.
Phillip Goettl, along with John Kinkel, Otto Dummel, and John Kupfer were the founding fathers of Whitton Avenue Bible Church. Their passion for ministry and dedication to the church, along with some German tenacity and a strong work ethic, helped to build it on a strong physical and spiritual foundation.
A New Home
For a time, while hunting for just the right plot of land for the church building, the fledgling congregation met in the home of Peter Urschel on Palm Lane. Then, in July of 1947, after an arduous search, the Trustees decided on the Whitton Avenue plot. On October 10, 1947, the Apostolic Christian Church of Phoenix was stamped with its official birth date as an Arizona Corporation. On April 4, 1948, the congregation held a church dedication service in the brand new building.
WABC Today and Tomorrow
Over the last six decades WABC has experienced God’s grace through the ministry of His word, whether in seasons of difficulty or joy. Now, through the ministry of our Preaching Pastor, Chris Davis, we trust in God’s continued faithfulness and guidance through our Elders and teachers. We are looking forward to what the LORD has in store as He continues to move in and through the WABC both today and in the years to come.