The Early Years

First United Pentecostal Church of San Jose, California, was founded in 1951 by Reverend and Mrs. F.V. Shoemake. Early in that year, they began holding services in a rented hall with eighteen people in attendance, including several children.

Three years later, the first church building was constructed at Saratoga and Piper avenues, a result of the joint efforts of the families attending the church.  A record number of 54 people were in attendance at the first service in their new building.  The congregation continued to grow, and the First United Pentecostal Church of San Jose moved into its second building (the present location at 878 Boynton Ave.) on August 19th, 1962, with approximately 300 people attending the inaugural service.  A few years later, a rapidly growing congregation necessitated adding a second story to the educational wings.  At the same time, the church leaders felt that they should purchase the 2.4 acres adjoining the property, for a campus total of 4.3 acres.  This acreage is now the site of the new Sanctuary, Gymnasium, and educational buildings.

Rev. F.V. and Sis. Blanche Shoemake

Founders of First Church San Jose

Construction of First Sanctuary - 878 Boynton Ave.

Sanctuary Nearing Completion

Completed Sanctuary

Reverend Jimmy and Sis. Bobbie Shoemake

Second Pastor of First Church San Jose

Kingdom-Minded Focus

After a highly successful 24 years as Pastor, F.V. Shoemake retired on April 26, 1975. On May 17, 1975, Reverend Jimmy Shoemake accepted the Pastorate office.  Reverend Jimmy Shoemake served as Senior Pastor of the First United Pentecostal Church of San Jose (which became First Church San Jose) for 25 years. During Pastor Jimmy Shoemake's first several years, even though an estimated 850 members moved or transferred to other parts of United States, capacity crowds necessitated implementing double church services and, ultimately, the construction of new worship facilities.

Under proficient leadership and precise vision, the church began the process of starting a three-phased construction project that would provide new educational rooms, gymnasium and New Sanctuary on the campus. This would ultimately culminate in having nearly 70,000 square feet under roof on the 4.3 acre campus, providing the First Church San Jose campus with a variety of functional facilities aimed at reaching people of all ages and from all walks of life.

With a local and global vision, the church also built a beautiful United Pentecostal Church headquarters facility in San Jose, Costa Rica, started a  homeless outreach and food bank for the underprivileged in the San Jose area and established several daughter works. During this period of First Church San Jose's history, new California home missions churches were established in Folsom, Glendale, Redwood City, Hollister, and a Spanish-speaking church in downtown San Jose. The church also donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to establishing churches around the globe.

During this period, the church started its largest construction project to date.

Project included construction of new educational rooms, a gymnasium and new sanctuary.

New parking facilities were also developed.

Expansion and Growth

In April of 2000, Reverend Jimmy Shoemake became the Bishop of First Church San Jose, and Reverend Jonathan Shoemake became Senior Pastor. In these succeeding years, Reverend Jonathan Shoemake has seen the largest phase of the construction project, the New Sanctuary, through to completion. Today, the First Church San Jose campus has nearly 70,000 square feet under roof. This facility provides a beautiful edifice for people of the region to gather and worship.

Throughout its existence, First Church San Jose has underwritten and contributed to various domestic and foreign charitable projects, and established other congregations in California and in several nations. Several churches in the San Jose area have started out of this church, such as East Valley and Morgan Hill. Several pastors and ministers have also come out of this church and become highly effective ministers in the Apostolic movement.