OREGON—Fifty-six members of the Philadelphia Church of God from four states boarded a tour bus in Eugene on January 22 for an all-day church history tour.

Tour guide and member James Lowry Sr. brought the history of the Philadelphia era of God’s Church to life by showing attendees the locations of many historic events from 1931 through the 1940s that shaped the life of Worldwide Church of God founder Herbert W. Armstrong.

“It was very inspirationally awakening to see the places where so much actually took place, to see what Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong saw and experienced,” Texas member Bonnie Schuett said. “Seeing the great difficulties, his amazing perseverance, stamina and dedication—it’s astounding.”

The tourists saw the original location of Mr. Armstrong’s “prayer rock” (now located in Edmond), where he gained, as he wrote in his Autobiography, “much energy, spiritual strength and inspiration from intensive and earnest private prayer.”

Members visited the Eugene Library, where Mr. Armstrong “learned much new revelation in 1945—an unfolding of the holy days, the true meaning of them” (ibid).

Member Charity Trowbridge said she was impressed by “how much the tour helps us to recall the small beginnings that God used to start the Church in the Philadelphia era.”

The tour group also saw the previous location of the kxl radio station, where the World Tomorrow radio program first aired, along with several other sites.

“I really got emotional seeing where the original Plain Truth magazine was written,” member Poppy Hochstetler said. “What a great way to spend the day.”

Member Jeremy Goodearl said, “It’s been inspirational and informative, an experience I’d gladly repeat.”