Rev. Harry W. Branding

Harry W. Branding’s experience with God started in 1928, while on a business trip in Florida. Upon his returning to St. Louis, he visited the church pastored by the late Benjamin Hite and in time obeyed Acts 2:38. He served as assistant pastor to Brother Hite for approximately four and a half years.

On April 13, 1935, Harry W. Branding became the pastor of a mission at 11th and Hickory. After eighteen months, the congregation purchased the Bethlehem Congregational Church located at 13th & Gravois. Sometime afterwards, the name changed to Apostolic Pentecostal Church.

By the late 1950’s, the church at 13th & Gravois (as it came to be known) needed repair. Brother Branding and the congregation decided to move to Grand Avenue, near Longfellow and Hawthorne. Time passed and the plans did not mature. Finally, Brother Branding heard the voice of the Lord saying that the church had not been released from the 13th & Gravois location. Consequently, the old building was demolished by the men of the church. The work on the new building started immediately after major repairs were made to the foundation. In the fall of 1958, the building was finished and presented to the Lord.

In September of 1945, something very special took place. The Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ (PA of JC) and the Pentecostal Church, Incorporated (PCI) merged to form the United Pentecostal Church. A year earlier, Brother Branding, a PCI member, visited the PA of JC’s General Conference being held in St. Louis, at Whiteway Tabernacle where Brother Walter Guinn pastored.

Brother Branding suggested to Brother O.F. Fauss, ''Why don’t we get together?''

Brother Fauss liked the idea and soon a resolution was passed which extended an invitation to the P.C.I. to explore the possibility of merging. In the spring of 1945, representatives from each group met and agreed on the fundamental doctrine and name of the new organization. In September, both organizations agreed on the terms and the merger was complete. On April 15, 1945, this church affiliated itself with the UPC.

In 1948, after the passing of B.H. Hite, Brother Branding became the District Superintendent of Missouri. He served in that capacity until 1969. One of his accomplishments during that time was the erection of a district campground. Another of Brother Branding’s accomplishments as District Superintendent of Missouri was the establishment of Gateway College of Evangelism in 1968. The campus was located at 3155 Charbonier Road in Florissant, Missouri.

Harry W. Branding departed this life on September 8, 1969. His passing left a tremendous void throughout the fellowship. At his memorial service, Brother Branding was eulogized as a spiritual giant, a great patriarch and a just man.