THE BIRTH OF A CHURCH
   "Rabbit House Revival"
The year of 1933 was one of many frustrations.  The Great Depression was upon the land, and many had lost their property, even many banks had declared bankruptcy.  There were long breadlines in the cities where hunger was a grim reality.

Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected President of the United States in November, 1932, and took office in March of 1933.  His first official act after taking office was to declare a bank holiday on March 6th, 1933.  

Capital was so tight that few were able to buy more than just the bare necessities.  While the depression was
at its height, there seemed to be a solemnity to settle over the land.  A nation bowed down in distress began reaching out for solutions.  There was hunger, anxiety, & fear.  It was a time of re-evaluation and soul searching.  The time was right for God to move on the hearts of people.  They were sober. They were hurting.  Humility was doing its work and hearts were ripe for Revival!  In this setting, our story begins . . . 

On the outskirts of the small town of Petersburg, MI, there lived a man who was 34 years of age.  Perl McDonnell was not just an ordinary man, he was a man of many talents & aspirations.  He was tall, handsome, and outgoing.  He made friends easily.  When he smiled, his whole countenance lit up with the warmth of friendliness.  His ambition knew no bounds.  He was an excellent carpenter; yes, he was MORE than a carpenter, he was a DESIGNER!  He had built a home in Petersburg, and was an excellent finisher of wood.  He made items of furniture, ornamental wood creations, and bric-a-brac.  He put a touch of artistry on everything he crafted.  Although his formal education would not meet the standards of today, he had a keen mind that learned by observing, experimenting and creating.  He was also an avid reader.  His library reflected his thirst for knowledge, and he was a scholar of whatever he undertook.

There was a serious problem in Perl's life, he had fallen victim to alcohol.  He was married to a fine young woman, Ina (Fall) McDonnell, and had a young daughter, Lucille.  When he was sober, his family delighted in him, but when he was drinking, they often hid from him to escape his abusive disposition.

Perl was born of Christian parents.  Etta & William McDonnell were of pious tendencies, and never ceased to pray for their son.  
They attended church regularly, and finally got Perl to go.  God spoke to his heart.  He attempted to change his ways, only to be defeated again & again.  One day he went into the rabbit house and nailed the door shut.  There, alone with God, he determined he would not emerge from the rabbit house until God had delivered him from the curse of alcohol.  God met him in that desperate hour!  The appetite for alcohol left him and he came out a new man!  So remarkable was hi conversion that not many weeks had passed before all of Petersburg had heard about his marvelous deliverance, and of God's power to break off the shackles of sin.  Caught up in the glow of his new found joy, a great compassion to reach the lost with the message of Salvation descended upon him, and he realized that God was calling him to preach the Gospel.  He began immediately to be motivated by the Holy Spirit.

His ability with carpenter tools was his first means of realizing his goals.  The Rabbit House, standing at the back of his property suddenly came into focus. YES!  He could remodel it into a meeting house!  It could be done, and HE would do it.  

The remodeling project was launched by faith.  The Lord would provide the funds if he would provide the man!  As he worked, his enthusiasm grew.  He spent many happy hours planning, designing, sawing, nailing, & praying!  The re-modeled meeting house was like a miniature chapel with antique little pews, made of new lumber & arranged with an aisle at the center.  A platform was built at one end, and outfitted with a pulpit.  An altar was built at the front, for he had already visualized all the penitents that would bow down there & be saved.  All was crafted with care & prayer.  The McDonnell's spinet piano was moved to the platform and they were ready to begin services.  

A visitation program was launched and the news spread quickly: "REVIVAL SERVICES BEGINNING ON THE MCDONNELL PROPERTY in Petersburg--SERVICES NIGHTLY, 7:30 PM SPECIAL SINGING, OLD FASHIONED PREACHING" and people began coming in to the meetings. I suppose that some came to satisfy their curiosity, for what, indeed, could this building look like, remodeled from RABBIT HOUSE to CHURCH HOUSE?

Upon entering, the fragrance of pine, and a warm handshake at the door seemed to put one at ease, and when the people were seated and the service began, it was as if Heaven had come near. SUCH SINGING!  The songs were sung joyously with much gladness of spirit.  The preaching was dynamic, and evangelistic in outreach.  The message was, "Salvation through the Blood of Christ, and Holiness, without which, no man shall see the Lord."  Conviction settled down as the meetings continued.  A disposition to genuine repentance seemed to move in on the people as the meetings continued, and many moved to the altar!  The impact was great as Revival took hold on the community.

Revival fire swept first through the family with such force that people were shaken!  Whole families were converted.  Much holy enthusiasm was 
generated as the new converts began going out in visitation work.  Then a mighty force from Heaven began to fan out in the surrounding areas.  It was a phenomenon that no one could explain.  It just kept sweeping on & on, arresting the sinner & convicting of sin.  Many marveled at the miracle of changed lives.  Those who had smoked cigarettes ceased smoking.  Old quarrels were forgotten, and forgiveness asked.  Feuds that had existed for years suddenly disappeared, and brotherly love was evidenced.  Oh, what happiness prevailed!  The atmosphere was charged with the Divine Presence.  Restitutions were being made, and old debts paid up.  It was the talk of the town!  Every-one knew that something knew that something unusual was happening in a little "Rabbit House Chapel" on the outskirts of Petersburg!  It was a time of Spiritual awakening which stirred Petersburg from center to circumference!

From the Petersburg, MI home base, The Lower Light Mission began to branch out into other locations.  Within the next 10 years, churches were opened in the following locations: (ALL in Michigan)
  •  Monroe
  • Tecumseh
  • Platt (Ann Arbor)
  • Pontiac
  • Lulu
  • Fairgrove
  • Rockwood
  • Milan
  • Alagansee
  • Adrian
  • River Rouge
  • Melvindale
  • Quincy
  • Kalamazoo
  • Flat Rock
  • Portage Center
  • Burlington
  • Flint
  • Deerfield

Others were located in Toledo, Findlay, & Columbus, Ohio, Marion, Indiana, & Dothan, Alabama.  
The Petersburg church has always been called the home base church.  All those wishing to join the Lower Light Church at its outset were given membership there.  Later, as other churches were opened, many transferred their membership.  Later on, all ministers became members of the General Conference.

The Petersburg church has always been called "The Missionary Church."  Over the years, a sizable number of young people went out from 
that congregation to do Christian work in other places, and with other holiness churches.

A camp ground was developed at Petersburg in the late 1930's & early 40's.  A plot of ground was purchased on E. Elm St. and a camp meeting was conducted under a big tent in 1938.  A dining Hall & kitchen were completed in 1941.  Later, a large tabernacle was built, and used for the 1942 camp meeting.  The camp has been maintained through the years, and remains to the time of this writing, a witness for God's glory.

"AN OLD FASHIONED MEETING" 

'Twas an Old Fashioned Meeting in an Old Fashioned Place,

Where some Old Fashioned People had some Old Fashioned Grace,

And as old Fashioned Sinners....They began to Pray,

God heard them & saved them in the Old Fashioned Way!

After several weeks of continuous revival meetings, it was evident that the "Rabbit House" Chapel could no longer accommodate the crowds much longer, so Bro. McDonnell began looking for a place to build.  A village lot was located that was for sale on Center St. in Petersburg, which was the main street leading through the center of town.  The lot was available, but where would the money come from?  Could property be purchased and a large building erected at the height of the depression with hardly any capital to start with?  Normally, this would not be possible, but God was moving on the heart of Bro. Perl McDonnell to launch out by Faith, and trust Him to supply the funds needed.  The very courage of this man to contemplate such an undertaking in those "Depression years" was in itself a result of God's majestic presence among His people!

We watched as the miracle unfolded.  The lot was purchased, and the offerings came pouring in.  Where did the money come from?  That could not be determined, but much of it came from sacrificial giving.  One dedicated man sold his best cow, and donated the money for the new building.  God's people opened their hearts and gave--gave with joy, and trusted God to supply their own needs.  Several of the brethren were handy with carpenter tools, and under the leadership of Perl McDonnell, did splendid work.  The building began to rise rapidly.  It was built in sections, and then lifted into position.  Excitement was in the air---punctuated by the sound of saws and hammers.  The townspeople slowed their cars to watch as they passed by.  It was an impressive building of some 40x60 feet.  A platform was built entirely across one end, an altar skirted the platform, and in the years that followed, it would be stained with the tears of repentant souls, and would be a haven for the sin-sick, and a witness to all night prayer vigils.

On March 18th, 1934, the new tabernacle was dedicated.  The platform was decorated with palms for the occasion, and an atmosphere of praise prevailed.  Three services were held on dedication Sunday.  The afternoon service drew people from an 80 mile radius.  Most importantly, God came down and filled the tabernacle with His Presence.

The new building standing on the main street in town, created quite a stir in Petersburg.  The villager looked on with great astonishment as the new building was painted and the grounds landscaped.  God was raising up a witness for His glory!  Quite a number of the townspeople dropped in for services from time to time, and many new faces were seen in the audience during the winter & spring of 1934.  It is estimated that around 80 souls were saved in that initial revival.  Many many more came under the influence of the Gospel as the meetings continued.  Eternity alone, will reveal all those born Heavenward on the wings of Revival.  A band of Christian workers saved in this revival, had a wide influence--Ministers, Minister's wives, Writers, Editorial workers. . . 2nd & 3rd generations were affected by it, and the resounding echoes are yet in motion in our young people today - - Teacher, RN's, Missionaries, Christian worker, etc.

THE CHURCH IS INCORPORATED 

In August, 1935, the Lord began to move upon the heart of Rev. Perl McDonnell to organize.  In an interview with Rev. Charles McDonnell in 1984, Charles said that was crystal clear that this group did not come out from any other church group.  It was, however, affiliated for a short time with the Evangelistic Mission in Adrian, MI.  This affiliation was terminated in 1935 as it only involved the licensing of Ministers.  This body of people was brought together by the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and was born of the church triumphant--as were also the New Testament churches.  The group did receive some influence from the Free Methodist Church in the early years, as it also did from other Holiness groups.

The original meeting to organize was called by Perl McDonnell on November 1, 1935.  The name, Lower Light Mission was chosen, and the Discipline was drawn up. The organizing committee was as follows:
  • Perl McDonnell-Chairman
  • Charles McDonnell
  • Cyrenus McDonnell
  • Melvin McDonnell
  • Leroy Stevens
  • Maurice Smith

Cyrenus & Charles McDonnell were delegated to travel to Monroe, MI to file for corporation papers at the courthouse.  It was final.
by- Jesse Kneal