Area is in need of another revival

To the editor:

Coming the first of May will be the 88th anniversary of the Portland Tabernacle Revival.

It began in a tent revival, then moved to the corner of Meridian and Main streets, then to the Congregational Christian Church (now Cornerstone Baptist) on Main Street. The local newspaper followed this revival and reported that, even before the Gospel Tabernacle was buit in 1930, the Revs. Charles and Lee Fisher had a following of 2,000 people.

No matter where the revival went, hundreds would crowd the auditorium of the churches and hundreds more heard from outside and hundreds more were turned away.

The Fisher Evangelistic Party had no plans on staying in Portland. However, when things “got out of hand,” they decided to purchase land at 122 E. Race St.

The “House that Gold Built” wouldn’t be large enough, for the people from all over the United States came to witness the Power of Gold.

Non-denominational but Wesleyan in doctrine, the Fishers learned quickly to let God move the way He wanted to. This humbleness allowed the Holy Spirit to save thousands and heal the sick.

The Tabernacle was built with a sawdust floor, opera seats, skylights and large loudspeakers on the roof. The auditorium could only seat 1,000, so during the long revival meetings you could hear everything outside for blocks.

The church services were led by Clarence and Thelma Bailey as congregational signing inside and outside was like a huge choir. Along with trumpets, trombones, guitars and accordions, one might think a little heaven came down.

My parents were both saved in the 10-month revival in 1936. The Holy Spirit “brooded” over the geographical area as other churches began to feel the experience of revival. Nothing had to be worked up and no one was in charge. Only the Lord’s Spirit was in total control. No church names were mentioned, and all who entered into His gates with thanksgiving were fed spiritually and wanted more.

When a man or woman felt called to preach or sing, the Rev. Fisher would recommend that they attend Gold’s Bible School in Cincinnati.

After receiving their training, they would be sent to start or “pioneer” another church. At one time, there were 27 churches all over Indiana and Ohio that were “newborns” from the Tabernacle Revivals.

The Rev. Fisher had printed on the cornerstone the words “Portland Gospel Tabernacle Inn.” Many homeless people were taken in and slept in several of the Tabernacle apartments. One of those men was my uncle, the Rev. Hershel Ray Burkett, an orphan, who the Rev. Fisher took in.

Revival meetings were numerous and some lasted for weeks and others for months. All were “out of man’s control,” and that was the secret to the spontaneity of the Lord’s presence.

Crowds in the 1930s and 1940s were so great that the local newspaper reported that the Portland police had to help direct traffic.

People were converted, delivered from demons, received physical healings, baptized in the Spirit (sanctified), called to preached, called to the mission field and called to live holy lives.

This is awesome history but we need another “gully-washer” today that crosses all denominational lines and just “sits down” on this geographical area.

There is a price that has to be paid, though. Prayer and following closely to 2 Chronicles 7:14 will have to be the plan. Let’s pray for something today. We sure need it.

Pastor Phill Jellison

Portland