OUR STORY
The Journey of Faith
The Answer Church began in 1925 as a small group of believers meeting under a tent at 19th Avenue and Tyler Street in Hollywood, Florida. Soon after, services moved to a storefront on Dixie Highway and Fillmore Street, and later to a simple wooden tabernacle built on Grant Street and 24th Avenue. That early building had a sawdust floor and open screens instead of windows.
After a hurricane in 1926, the church was blessed to purchase 26 wooden pews from the old Hippodrome Theatre for just $40. On December 22, 1929, the congregation held its first official service as an organized church, adopting a Statement of Faith and the name Hollywood Gospel Tabernacle. In 1932, the church affiliated with the Assemblies of God and became First Pentecostal Church.
Through the years, pastors and members faithfully worked to improve and expand the church, adding concrete floors, shutters, tile, carpet, air conditioning, and other upgrades. The church endured difficult seasons like the Great Depression but continued to grow under dedicated leadership.
In 1984, after decades of service, Rev. Mary E. Johnson retired as pastor and was honored as Pastor Emeritus. Later pastors, including Rev. Richard Impellizzeri, Dr. Ernest Henson, and Rev. Antonio Zotti, each contributed to the church’s legacy and ministry in Hollywood.
A new chapter began in 2011, when Pastor Larry Lacy became senior pastor. Under his leadership, the church embraced a renewed vision and officially changed its name to The Answer Church. The name reflects the heart of our mission: to be a spiritual lighthouse in the city of Hollywood and a place where people can discover that Jesus Christ is the true answer for life.
Today, The Answer Church continues to be a family of believers, committed to worship, discipleship, and reaching our community with the hope of the gospel.