MENDOTA - The United Pentecostal Church of Mendota will host a special weekend of anniversary services on Friday, May 17 and Sunday, May 19. The 45th church anniversary will be celebrated on May 17 at 7:30 p.m. Special music and memories from past years will be shared along with the ministry of Rev. Jason Cox of Steger, former assistant pastor. 

On May 19 at 11:30 a.m., the 15 pastoral anniversary of Rev. and Mrs. Charles Yeakel will be celebrated. Rev. Wendell Maynard of Loves Park, Section 11 Presbyter of the United Pentecostal Church, Illinois District, will be the speaker. Everyone is invited to be a part of this weekend of celebration at the United Pentecostal Church. The church is located at 4401 State Route 251, one-half mile north of Mendota.

The United Pentecostal Church of Mendota began in March of 1974 with prayer meetings in the home of Mabel (Dober) Yeakel in Mendota. Rev. Oliver Spencer of Princeton was the overseer. The first pastor was Rev. James Cahill from January 1975 to July 1976. In May of 1977, Rev. Harold Koonce was elected pastor and served until his retirement in 2003. Rev. Charles Yeakel, former assistant pastor and co-pastor, has served as pastor since January 2004.

Services were held in the Faber Hotel for three years, from 1974 until 1977 when the building was condemned. For the next year, the congregation met in the Setchell Insurance building and then, for two years in the home of Rev. Koonce. The first church building on the present property was built in 1980. The building seated 125 people but soon a larger sanctuary was needed, and a new addition was erected in 1988 with a full basement containing a kitchen, fellowship hall and Christian Education rooms. The original building has been converted into an educational unit. 

God has blessed the church through the years with many people converted and many miracles performed.