Ecclesiastical Memoirs. [Cover title]

[Norfolk, Virginia]: Pentecostal Holiness Church in Jesus Name, (n. d.), circa 1948. 11-1/4 x 8-5/8 inches. [66]pp. Brown wrappers with red title stamped to front cover, brad-bound leaves. B&w illustrations, some on faintly pink and blue washed paper. Mimeograph text with b&w photos pasted in between the two sheets of paper that make up one leaf, neatly taped together at the edges. Includes 11 4 x 5 inch photographs and 36 2 x 2 inch photographs. Chipping and loss to wrapper edges and spine; foot of front joint and both hinges repaired with packing tape; offsetting and paste action throughout; ownership signature and date to first page. Good.

An unusual history and membership record of the Pentecostal Holiness Church in Jesus Name, located at 4744 Thompson Road in Norfolk, Virginia. Throughout, the book is illustrated with original photographs. After some front matter, the book provides a brief overview of the church, the construction of which was only finished a few years prior to the book's publication, in 1944, followed by a note of gratitude to the church's pastor, Sister Dorsie M. Harman and group portraits of different classes. Interspersed throughout are poems and mimeo-illustrated bible verses.

Notably, the next section (18pp) presents a photograph of each member of the church, paired with a personal statement in which they praise Jesus, repent of their sins, and in several cases recount how they found God. For example, one man praises Jesus because "on Easter night while I was drunk the Lord saved my soul from sin". Another woman writes, "I had been under conviction for sometime but would not surrender to the Lord. While at work one day I fell and injured my back. My Mother and sister had been praying for me to get saved, and they continued to pray while I was suffering with my back. Finally Jesus came on the scene and wonderfully touched my spine until the Doctor was astonished. Just a few days later Jesus spoke peace to my son and also delivered me from cigarettes."

Following these are 26 pages of mimeographed advertisements from local businesses, and a leaf for autographs (blank).

All in all, a remarkable record of this small Pentecostal church and its members. We find no other examples of this book in OCLC or elsewhere online.