Chapter 3... "Go, Possess the Land!" (1947-1970)

When Herbert W. Ezell moved his family to Wilmington in the spring of 1947, he knew some of the challenges he would face in the years to come, for even in those days the Wilmington area had a reputation as a tough and dangerous area in which to live.

Nevertheless, he and his wife wholeheartedly entered into the work at hand. They soon scheduled a series of revival meetings featuring Evangelist Washington, a man known for his unique and memorable illustrated sermons. One of these made such an impact that it is still remembered by the Ezell family today. To make the point of his message, the evangelist dressed up in a devil costume and made his entrance through the front door of the church.

Not only was the congregation shaken by the "devil's" sudden appearance in their midst, but the drivers of cars passing by on the busy Pacific Coast Highway stopped to stare. What kind of church was this, that even the devil was dropping in for a visit?

The evangelist had been invited to spend the night at the Ezell home, and when it came time to go, he simply wore the devil suit home. As he entered the house, the family's dog took one look at this fearsome sight and ran under the bed, where he lay shaking with terror.

The years 1947 and 1948 were significant years for the church. The Gospel Mission became affiliated with the Assemblies of God. Alline Grim, who is currently Harbor Christian Center's Director of Christian Education and of the Jolly Seniors group, became the first charter member of the church under its new denominational affiliation. On December 18, 1948, Preston and Alline Grim became the first couple to be married in the church after it became Assemblies of God.

The growing congregation and its new pastor saw the need for land and a building that would be their own and would allow for future growth, so property was purchased along Wilmington Boulevard in 1948. With the new location came a new name. "Ye Old Time Gospel Mission" became "Boulevard Assembly of God."
Preston Haag was actively involved in working with Pastor Ezell as building began at the new location. Building permits and regulations were a problem even then. They did not have enough space for parking, even with a membership of around 150-200 and had to receive permission for parking from a service station north of the church before the City of Los Angeles would issue a building permit. Because of the church's close proximity to Wilmington First Assembly, which was located on Fries Avenue at that time, permission to build also had to be received from the Assemblies of God District Office.

The City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety issued a permit in 1948 for a "2 story, Type V, 44' x 69' church, 395 occupants, B-2 Occupancy." The pastor and people worked together, and on August 3 of 1949 Boulevard Assembly of God received its Certificate of Occupancy. The downstairs classroom on the west side of the present building in the area now occupied the building. This was only the first of many building projects that would allow the church to grow over the coming years to better meet the needs of the congregation.

During the early '50's, Boulevard Assembly was a church of prayer, just as it is today. There were frequent prayer meetings and revival meetings often lasting into the early morning hours. In those days it was commonly believed that one had to "tarry" long hours in prayer before being filled with the Holy Spirit, and "tarry" they did until they received.

The music, worship and preaching were lively and Spirit-filled. Mrs. Ezell led singing, Pastor preached (often "hell fire and brimstone" in those days) and on occasion the Ezell family provided instrumental music for worship with Pastor on the violin, Harold on the steel guitar and Don on the saxophone. Alline Grim played the accordion, and later, the piano. Preston Grim and Mel Burrow played guitar. Pastor and Mrs. Ezell would also sing duets.

While Pastor H. W. Ezell taught the uncompromising Word of God, he also understood the difference between Biblical principles and manmade social and religious traditions. He was more concerned with what was happening in a person's heart than with the style of their clothing. As Alline Grim so aptly put it, "He wasn't a 'clothesline' preacher." The old ways of thinking were beginning to change, but the eternal Word was taught with integrity.

Pastor Ezell also understood that the youth of the church needed fun and fellowship along with spiritual instruction. In those days, bowling alleys, pool halls, movie theaters and roller skating rinks were not acceptable places for Christian youth to go. Like swimming in mixed company, they were thought to be "sinful" and were completely off-limits for church groups. So Pastor teamed up with Preston and Alline Grim to provide a variety of picnics, excursions, and social activities for the teens in the church. Preston was often the driver as they went on outings to Big Bear and Desert Hot Springs. The Ezells spent three weeks each summer at the District Youth Camp at Pinecrest where Pastor spent many sleepless nights keeping track of his young "sheep."

The church was growing, and the year 1950 saw 100 converts become members. Among these was Tom Irwin, who would serve Pastor faithfully as a Bible class teacher, construction worker, friend, Board member and building superintendent from the year he came until Pastor's death in 1986. This 36-year friendship began when the Irwin children started riding the church bus to Sunday School. Pastor Ezell faithfully made follow-up calls to the homes of the children on Monday, and it was through these contacts, along with the drawing of the Holy Spirit, that Tom and Fern Irwin came to Harbor Christian Center. As a result of their conversion, soon many family members and friends also came in.

The first building project Tom and Pastor teamed up on was a long, narrow (5'6" x 48') room at the south end of the existing building. They would later work together on several major and minor building and remodeling projects.

During the early '50's a grocery store was located where H. W. Ezell Hall now stands. One day, while Tom and Pastor were digging down to a sewer line, the grocer came over, and peering down into the 15 foot deep hole, asked Pastor, "How much do you get paid per hour for doing that?" Pastor replied, "I'll get my pay when I get to heaven." The grocer, a far more earthly-minded man, told Pastor, "I'd want my money right now." Pastor Ezell was never one to be at a loss for words. He immediately shot back, "What's the matter? Are you afraid you won't make it to heaven?"

In 1955, the building permit was issued for the 50' x 124' sanctuary, which is still in, use today. It was during the construction, which followed that the church had its own "Batman." A homeless man who was also a burglar found his way into the church one night. He pried loose some plywood and found a narrow crawlway up under the eaves. Soon he had settled in with stolen quilts and kitchen supplies taken from the church. Bat-like, he slept by day. By night, he committed burglaries.

One day while men were working on the building, little Jim Irwin, who was then about four, called to his dad, telling him that a man had just crawled out of the attic! Tom Irwin and Pastor followed the man down the street and soon caught up with the church's uninvited resident. When he admitted that he'd been living in the church attic, Pastor called the police and "Batman" was taken into custody.

For a period of 17 months, the congregation worked together like a family to build their house of worship. Many would come after their regular workday ended and spends the evening working at the church. Men and women, boys and girls all worked on the building, each doing what they were able. Lucille Alford and other ladies of the church put up drywall. Some prepared food for the workers, others worked on plumbing, electrical work, or refinishing the theater seat which would be used in the new building. Pastor and Mrs. Ezell worked long hours, side by side with the members of the church.

During these long days and evenings at the church, the Ezell's collie, Shakespeare, would keep Pastor company. Shakespeare soon knew all those who were giving of their time and effort to build the church and he treated them as friends...but when a building inspector would come, Shakespeare would bark and growl!

Shakespeare almost didn't survive the building program. He had gotten in the habit of running and barking whenever an airplane or helicopter would come over the church. One day he was at the second floor level (the present Control Room area) which was still under construction. A plane came over, and in his excitement, poor Shakespeare ran right off the edge and landed on the ground beneath. The prayers and care of his family pulled him through, but it was a while before Shakespeare chased anything again.

As the decade of the '50's ended and the '60's began, the church continued to grow. Pastor Ezell was very involved in working with youth, often taking them on outings, as well as teaching adult Bible classes and preaching. Alline Grim, Bernice Payne Leenders, Dorothy Spurgeon and Betty Carpenter all worked with the "Jet Cadets," a program for boys and girls.

The year 1961 was a time of change for Boulevard Assembly. Pastor Ezell was physically exhausted from the building program and his heavy responsibilities as the totally committed pastor of a growing congregation. His voice and body needed rest. It was at this time also that his father passed away, leaving the family business without leadership. Pastor Ezell saw the need for a Sabbatical leave and invited Pastor Leonard Nipper to speak at the church.

After explaining to the congregation that it was time for him to take care of family business responsibilities and for a time of rest from the work of the ministry, he asked the church to vote Rev. Nipper in as their pastor, which they did.

The Nippers came to the church fresh from twelve years of missionary service, bringing with them their three children, Linda, Ronald and Cori. Under their leadership, the music ministry was emphasized, with Mrs. Nipper leading the choir. Viola Guessman played the organ and Preston Haag and David Sloan led the song service.

During Pastor Nipper's time with the church community outreach took place and a number of Bible classes and fellowships for youth and young married couples were formed. New members came in from Palos Verdes and San Pedro.

When Pastor Nipper first came, the church was still made up predominately of families who had moved to California from Arkansas. Pastor Nipper recalled that when he came, he was the only native Californian in the church in his age group. Over the next several years the composition of the membership began to gradually change as families from the local community began to attend. In 1965, military families from the Navy base in San Pedro began to attend. One individual from this area of was Katie Pickett, who was one of the first African Americans to become a member of the church. She in turn invited Clara Hodges. In time, Clara's husband, who was at that time stationed on a Navy ship, also began attending. The Hodges family continues to be a blessing to the church today, as three generations of the family attend faithfully.

Vava Duran, another faithful member, began attending in 1967. She, along with others who were attending then, remember how Pastor and Mrs. Ezell continued to attend the church during his Sabbatical leave. While Pastor H. W. Ezell did teach an adult Bible class during these years, they fully respected Pastor Nipper's leadership and saw these years as a time of personal spiritual growth and rest.

Our thanks and sincere appreciation go to all that helped make this history possible. Sister Helen Carl, Lola Bates, Hattie Carrigan, Bernice Leenders, Rev. Leonard Nipper, Rev. James Pryor, Tom Irwin, Ed von Delden, Alline Grim, Deborah Coloma, Raul Cardona, Mack & Lucille Alford, Warren & Clara Hodges, Jerry & Cheri Steinker, Dennis Burke, Vava Duran, Preston & Louise Haag, Willa Dean Burrow, Edna Ezell. Special thanks to John Roberts for the use of his VCR and the video of the Ezell's 50th Anniversary / 70th Birthday celebration as well as several videos of interviews done after the home going of Pastor H. W. Ezell