After nearly three decades in the pulpit of First Pentecostal Church, the Rev. William R. Hall is retiring.

Hall, a Kanawha County, W.Va., native, came to Suffolk in 1970 and purchased a home on the corner of Finney Avenue and Pinner Street.

The next year, he purchased property at 641 Carolina Road and began building a church. The first services were held in the new sanctuary in 1973.

&uot;Since that time, we have watched the miracle take place,&uot; Hall said. &uot;People from different areas and all walks of life began to help us.

&uot;Now we have a beautiful building, some great people in the congregation and are acquiring adjoining property next door for future building.&uot;

Prior to being called to Suffolk, Hall served as pastor and assistant pastor of United Pentecostal Church in Chesapeake.

Hall attended school in St. Albans, W. Va., served in the Army Air Force and married Dorothy LaPate of Hurricane, W. Va., in August 1948.

The family moved to Toledo, Ohio and from there to Panama City, Fla. While there, Hall said he was baptized in the Gulf of Mexico and received the Holy Ghost on Oct. 31, 1958.

Hall then moved to Milton, Fla., where he worked for the American Cyanamid for approximately five years. He said he was called to the ministry while working and attending church in that city.

While living in Suffolk, Hall attended and received a bachelor of arts from Twin City University in Monroe, La. He also received a doctorate of divinity degree.

Hall said he feels it is now time to let someone else pastor to the congregation at First Pentecostal Church.

Three of the couple’s four children-sons Dennis and Brian and daughter, Sharon, who is minister of music at First Pentecostal-live in Suffolk. The only exception is their oldest son, David, who lives in Lynchburg. They have 11 grandchildren.

The Halls are planning to live and attend church in Suffolk.