Timeline of Branham Leadership Established
Newly discovered newspaper articles now establish the timeline of William Branham's transition from assistant pastor of Roy E. Davis' pentecostal cult to the head pastor of the Billie Branham Pentecostal Tabernacle. Branham appears to have been accurate in his own description of the timeline in one single instance, placing the transition in 1936 which matches the deed to the Billie Branham Pentecostal Tabernacle. In most versions of his stage persona, Branham suggested that this transition happened in 1933, which matches a concrete inset on the Branham Tabernacle that was placed after renovation.
Newly discovered newspaper articles now establish the timeline of William Branham's transition from assistant pastor of Roy E. Davis' pentecostal cult to the head pastor of the Billie Branham Pentecostal Tabernacle. Branham appears to have been accurate in his own description of the timeline in one single instance, placing the transition in 1936 which matches the deed to the Billie Branham Pentecostal Tabernacle. In most versions of his stage persona, Branham suggested that this transition happened in 1933, which matches a concrete inset on the Branham Tabernacle that was placed after renovation.
Read the newspaper articles in the "Newspapers" section of this page:
https://william-branham.org/site/research/people/joseph_freeman
Rev. Joseph D. Freeman of New Albany, IN, was a Baptist evangelist.[1] After Roy E. Davis' Pentecostal Baptist Church burned down in April of 1934,[2] while William Branham was the assistant pastor of Roy E. Davis' cult and preaching from tents[3] before the 1936 purchase of the Billie Branham Pentecostal Tabernacle,[4] Freeman assumed the pastorate of the Jeffersonville Branch of the Pentecostal Baptist Church organization.[5] The last advertised service at the First Pentecostal Baptist Church in the old building was January 24, 1934.[6]
Davis had organized multiple branches of the Pentecostal Baptist Church of God sect, of which he was the General Overseer. He considered moving the headquarters of the sect from Jeffersonville, IN. to Memphis, TN in May of 1934, shortly after the church burned.[7]
Freeman appears to have only been involved in the transition of the church from Roy E. Davis to William Branham. Once the Billie Branham Pentecostal Tabernacle was established, all advertisements for the Pentecostal Baptist Church (the building) ceased.
The timeline:
- 1934 - Roy E. Davis' church burned. William Branham said he was assistant pastor at the time.
- 1935 - Joseph Freeman steps in temporarily to lead as head pastor, while Davis is planting more cult churches. William Branham said that meetings were in tents at that time and "starting to take over the congregation".
- 1936 - Freeman steps out, Branham steps in, Billie Branham Pentecostal Tabernacle purchased.
References
[1] Baptists Elect Coots Moderator for Association. 1937, Aug, 5. Messenger-Inquirer. "1937/05/08 Baptists Elect Coots Moderator for Association Messenger-Inquirer Messenger-Inquirer."
[2] Misc. News. 1934, Apr, 3. Jeffersonville Evening News. "1934/03/04 Misc. News the city referred to City Attorney Warder a request that city authorities refuse to issue a permit for rebuilding the First Pentecostal Baptist church on Watt street near Maple street. The church recently was burned down. Seventeen property owners of the vicinity of the church site, who signed the petition, aver that rebuilding the church as it was before would create a dangerous fire hazard by reason of the proximity of the frame structure to other buildings the city referred to City Attorney Warder a request that city authorities refuse to issue a permit for rebuilding the First Pentecostal Baptist church on Watt street near Maple street. The church recently was burned down. Seventeen property owners of the vicinity of the church site, who signed the petition, aver that rebuilding the church as it was before would create a dangerous fire hazard by reason of the proximity of the frame structure to other buildings."
[3] Branham, William. A Trial. 1964, Apr, 27. A Trial (64-0427). "1964/27/04 A Trial Then, about seventeen years after that, I was, had become a minister, a Baptist preacher, of the Missionary Baptist Church. Dr. Roy E. Davis ordained me as one of the local pastors, give me rights then, by the state, to marry, bury, baptize, so forth. And the Missionary Baptist Church burned down, which I was assistant pastor, at the time. And Mr. Davis come back to Texas, which he was of Davis mountains, and—and down near Van Horn, Texas. That's where they come from. And so, while he was gone, I started to take over the congregation. Got a tent, and I begin to preach in the city, and just a boy preacher William Branham Then, about seventeen years after that, I was, had become a minister, a Baptist preacher, of the Missionary Baptist Church. Dr. Roy E. Davis ordained me as one of the local pastors, give me rights then, by the state, to marry, bury, baptize, so forth. And the Missionary Baptist Church burned down, which I was assistant pastor, at the time. And Mr. Davis come back to Texas, which he was of Davis mountains, and—and down near Van Horn, Texas. That's where they come from. And so, while he was gone, I started to take over the congregation. Got a tent, and I begin to preach in the city, and just a boy preacher."
[4] Warranty Deed. 1936, Nov, 9. Billie Branham Pentecostal Tabernacle. "1936/09/11 Warranty Deed Billie Branham Pentecostal Tabernacle Billie Branham Pentecostal Tabernacle."
[5] Rev. Freeman Assumes Pentecostal Pastorate. 1935, Nov, 4. Jeffersonville Evening News. "1935/04/11 Rev. Freeman Assumes Pentecostal Pastorate Rev. Joseph D. Freeman has assumed the pastorate of the Pentecostal Baptist Church and preparations are being made for the rebuilding of the church Rev. Joseph D. Freeman has assumed the pastorate of the Pentecostal Baptist Church and preparations are being made for the rebuilding of the church."
[6] First Pentecostal Baptist. 1934, Jan, 24. Evening News. "1934/24/01 First Pentecostal Baptist For some several weeks brethren from Kentucky and other states have been occupying this hour. To-night the pastor, Dr. Roy E. Davis, will bring a special message For some several weeks brethren from Kentucky and other states have been occupying this hour. To-night the pastor, Dr. Roy E. Davis, will bring a special message."
[7] May Move church Seat. 1934, May, 15. The Commercial Appeal. "1934/15/05 May Move church Seat National headquarters of the Pentecostal Baptist Church may be moved from Jeffersonville, Ind., to Memphis, the Rev. Roy E. Davis, overseer, said yesterday National headquarters of the Pentecostal Baptist Church may be moved from Jeffersonville, Ind., to Memphis, the Rev. Roy E. Davis, overseer, said yesterday."