Bishop Mary L.Simmons

Mary L. Simmons was born on November 20,1934 to the parents of John Richardson and Mary A. Richardson. She is the mother of seven children and was a dedicated care giver for her mother. 

She was  twenty six years old, when God called her to start a prayer meeting in her home. She was not experienced in this area of ministry. However, she was confident that God was calling her to open the doors of her home to the community for prayer and deliverance.

The good news about the prayer service begin to spread through the community. Many were excited and accepted her invitation to attend the prayer service. There were others who did not understand and she was criticized for starting a Holiness movement in her home. In spite of the criticism; she did not allow the negative opinion of others to hinder her. 

Many people from the community and other areas of town became part of the prayer service. The Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way and many were saved,healed and delivered in her home. The prayer service attendance became large enough that her home could no longer facilitate the group. At this point, Tabernacle M.B. Church invited her to use their facility as a meeting place. 

Later, Brother Jacob Funchess and his wife, Sister Pearl Funchess donated a small building to the prayer group. The group now had a building that held about fifty people; and it could properly accommodate  the services. 

The once incomprehensible plan of God was starting to come together.

Apostle Willie Grant Sr., meet with the group and affirmed that it was time for them to elevate this ministry from a  prayer service to a church. On the first Sunday in January of 1963; Apostle Willie Grant officially established the prayer ministry as the Undenominational Pentecostal Holiness Church of Rocky Run. This was a dream come true for Mother Goldie Smith and Sister Pearl Funchess, They prayed for years  that a Holiness Church would be established in the Rocky Run community. 

Through the years Bishop Simmons has remained faithful. She has served in multiple capacities of ministry. Such as, Sunday School Teacher,Youth Leader, Usher,Praise and Worship Leader and President of Missionary Department. 

She has served as Prayer Leader for fifty-seven years. In 2001, she was ordained

as one of the first females to hold the office of Bishop in the UPHC Inc. Organization. 

Bishop Simmons has proven to be a faithful Woman of God and without doubt she is a relentless Prayer Warrior. 

"RISING FROM SMALL BEGINNINGS"