Our Story

First Assembly of God was founded in 1964 after Carl Guiney, of Lafayette, Indiana, and Calvin Carmen of Niagara Falls, New York, came to the city of Woonsocket feeling prompted by the Holy Spirit to begin a church in Woonsocket. Carmen returned to complete his education in Springfield, Missouri. Pastor Guiney remained in Woonsocket. A neighboring pastor in Franklin, MA, Reverend Raymond Shepherd, assisted Rev. Guiney as they visited homes during the summer and fall of 1964 giving out invitations to attend Rev. Guiney’s first service held November 1, 1964 at the Globe Park Elementary School.

Two years later, in 1966, the Southern New England District assisted the church in the purchase of the old Polish National Catholic Church on Arnold Street where Rev. Guiney agreed to reside. Rev. Guiney married Faith Shepherd in June of 1968. From 1966-1980 many renovations were made to the church building on Arnold Street as well as seeing a growing congregation develop; many outreaches to and for the community were held. But then, in October of 1980, a terrible fire destroyed the entire building and its contents along with four other buildings on Arnold Street.

The church family, though, was not destroyed. They once again began to meet in a local school (Bernon Heights Elementary School and later in the basement of First Baptist Church). In 1983, the congregation found a new location purchasing the property at 420 Mendon Road. The church built on the current site; completing the first level of the fan shaped building where services resumed in its Fellowship Hall. Also in 1983 Rev. Ray Shepherd and his wife Edna, joined the ministry team. In 2002, the building was finally completed and the upstairs sanctuary was dedicated to the glory of God. 

After more than 40 years of service Pastor Guiney and Faith announced their retirement in 2010. Upon retirement Pastor Guiney was given the title of Pastor Emeritus for his outstanding years of service at First Assembly of God in Woonsocket; Pastor Guiney passed away on April 29, 2011. Pastor Shepherd and Edna also retired in 2010.