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Rev. Archie Lee Allen
United Pentecostal Church International
1927 ~ 2021
Archie Lee Allen was the last of three children born to Walter Lee Allen and Anna Estelle Carter Allen. He was born May 14, 1927 at 12:00 noon, in Aberdeen, Mississippi. The story goes that his mother chopped cotton until 10:00 on the day of his birth.
From the time he was a young boy, music played a big role in Archie’s life. He was no older than 14 when he and his brother, Hansel, along with a couple of friends, formed a little band and called themselves The Mississippi Ramblers. Archie played the steel guitar and rendered his very first solo while performing with the group. The Mississippi Ramblers could be heard every week on the old WCBI radio station out of Columbus, Mississippi. They performed at store openings, and occasionally at local school functions. Archie also began writing songs at an early age, and would later use this gift for the glory of God.
In 1945, at the age of 18, Archie received the Holy Ghost, and was baptized, in Aberdeen, Mississippi, under the ministry of Bro. Charles Webb. Two years later, Archie felt God’s call to preach the Gospel.
In 1948, while attending a sectional rally, Archie saw a young woman singing and playing the accordion and wanted to meet her. Ruth Kynerd was the young woman. After their meeting, it wasn’t long before she and Archie struck up a friendship and began playing and singing together. They became a popular duet at church functions in the Mississippi district and soon began dating.
On May 28, 1949, Archie and Ruth were united in marriage in Kosciusko, Mississippi, by Bro. Buford Miller. That summer, they preached revivals in and around the Philadelphia, Mississippi area.
In the fall of 1949, the newlyweds rented an apartment in Columbus, where Archie worked part-time in the timber business, while preaching out as often as time allowed.
The following summer found the Allen’s traveling to Louisville, Kentucky, where they assisted Bro. Homer Hall in a large tent revival. They also provided the special singing for this revival and saw many come to the Lord.
Following their time in Kentucky, Archie and Ruth began evangelizing full-time, ministering in numerous states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Illinois.
In January of 1951, the Allens traveled to Indiana for an extended time of revivals. They enjoyed being with Bro. Doyle Jenkins in Lebanon, and Bro. Elmer Jenkins in Sheridan.
After returning home in May, 1951, the Allens began a revival for sectional presbyter, Bro. Boyd, in Booneville, Mississippi. It was during this revival that Bro. Boyd asked Bro. Allen to consider the church in Iuka. Bro. Allen agreed and became pastor of the Iuka Pentecostal Church soon after. The church experienced revival and healings—both physical and spiritual. In September of that same year, the Allens welcomed their first child, Elaine, into the world.
In August, 1952, the Allens moved close to the Gulf Coast and assumed the pastorate of the United Pentecostal church in Moss Point. They would remain there for the next three years. It was during their time in Moss Point that the Allens met former assistant general superintendent and former foreign missions director, Oscar Vouga and his wife. Bro. Vouga was pastoring in Prichard, Alabama, just a few miles from Moss Point. He and Bro. Allen preached for each other often and a friendship was formed that lasted until Bro. Vouga’s death in 1978.
In May of 1955, Bro. Allen was elected pastor of the Mt. Pisgah United Pentecostal Church, near Leakesville, Mississippi. The church experienced revival and a season of growth, as did the Allen family. In October of the same year, Sis. Allen gave birth to identical twin girls, Dayle and Gayle.
In the fall of 1959, Bro. Allen accepted the pastorate of the Goodway Pentecostal Church in the delta town of Marks, Mississippi. Even though their time in Marks was brief, the Allens established deep friendships that have lasted a lifetime.
In 1960, Bro. Allen felt God’s leading to accept the pastorate of the church in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
The ensuing years brought a great move of God in Vicksburg, with many souls being renewed in the Spirit and filled with the Holy Ghost. In 1963, the church purchased property on Grove Street. A building program soon began. Bro. Allen had a vision for the structure of the new building, and worked long hours assisting in its construction. The new church was completed in 1964, and received a brand new name: Calvary Tabernacle.
It was in the summer of 1964 that the Allens recorded their first album. With their daughter Elaine joining in, they were known as The Allen Trio. Their music blessed not only their local congregation, but many campmeetings and conferences across the nation for many years to come.
Bro. Allen pastored the church in Vicksburg from 1960 to 1966. Many souls came to the Lord during these years and his ministry there continues to have far-reaching effects at home and around the globe. To God be the glory!
In 1966, Bro. Allen accepted the pastorate of the United Pentecostal church in Meridian, Mississippi, following Bro. Kenneth Phillips in this field of labor. A new parsonage was built the following year, and the church experienced revival on every level.
The year 1969 brought big changes for the Allen family. In the early summer, Bro. Allen resigned the church in Meridian and began evangelizing full-time. He ministered in Word and song in a number of states over the next five months. After much prayer, Bro. Allen left his roots in Mississippi and assumed the pastorate of the Chamberlin Drive United Pentecostal church in Beaumont, Texas. During his tenure in the Mississippi district, Bro. Allen was honored to have served in the following capacities:
Secretary-Treasurer of the Pentecostal Conquerors
Member of the Mississippi District Board
Member of the Board of Directors, Pentecostal Bible Institute
When Bro. Allen accepted the pastorate of the Chamberlin Drive UPC in Beaumont, Texas, he knew a little bit about building programs from his past experience, which was a good thing, because the church was in the middle of a building program upon his arrival.
A new sanctuary was being constructed, and Bro. Allen set right to work, helping bring his vision, and the vision of the church members, to fruition the following year. The church was also given a new name: Calvary Tabernacle.
Calvary Tabernacle in Beaumont, Texas saw tremendous growth over the next eight years, with many souls being saved, healed, and set free.
In 1977, Bro. Allen resigned the church in Beaumont and evangelized full-time for the next eight years. His evangelistic ministry took him to numerous states, including Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Kansas, Georgia, and California. By this time, he had written a number of songs and recorded four solo albums.
In 1985, Bro. and Sis. Allen returned to their home state of Mississippi to accept the pastorate of the Park Drive Pentecostal Church in McComb. They maintained their home in Texas, but would pastor the McComb church for the next 12-1/2 years, witnessing a great move of God, with many souls being refreshed and renewed in the Spirit.
Bro. Allen recorded his final CD entitled, “Songs That Last,” in January, 1998.
In September, 1998, Bro. and Sis. Allen semi-retired and moved back to their homeplace in Vidor, Texas to be near family. The next few years found the Allens enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle, while continuing to serve the Lord through ministry and song in not only their local state, but also in Arkansas, Mississippi, Kansas, North and South Dakota, and West Virginia.
The year 2007 marked Bro. Allen’s 60th year in ministry, as well as his 80th birthday. His daughters surprised him with cards from over 200 friends and family members, all expressing their deep appreciation for his influence in their lives, and in the lives of their children. An article about this occasion appeared in The Pentecostal Herald.
Throughout Bro. Allen’s more than seven decades of ministry, he and Sis. Allen have witnessed numerous healings, and a host of souls born again and renewed in the Spirit. Bro. Allen has been especially blessed, and humbled, to witness the making of ministers and minister’s wives during his pastoral leadership. They, in turn, have raised ministers and missionaries of their own, at home and abroad.
On May 28, 2010, Bro. and Sis. Allen celebrated 61 years of marriage. They have three daughters, three granddaughters.
On January 31, 2021, Bro. Allen passed peacefully from this life and into the arms of his Savior. He was 93 years old at the time of his passing. His memorial service was held on February 3, 2021 at Eastgate UPC in Vidor, Texas. Bro. Allen is buried in the Houston area, where his widow, Ruth Allen, now resides with her daughter, Dayle, and son-in-law, Stan Shockley.
Only eternity will reveal the harvest of Bro. A.L. Allen's ministry, for the harvest will continue long after the sower has been laid to rest. To God be the glory for all He has done.
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