1918
Charles
2007
Charles Lee Hollis Rev. Dr.
August 15, 1918 — October 29, 2007
Dr. Charles L. Hollis, community leader and pastor of Moline Gospel Temple for 50 years, passed away in his home on Monday, October 29, 2007, at the age of 89.
Visitation will be held at Moline Gospel Temple from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on November 9 and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on November 10. The funeral service will be held on November 10 at 11:00 a.m. at Moline Gospel Temple. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Moline. Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. Moline is in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Hollis was born in Danville, IL., on August 15, 1918 to Charles and Nancy Hollis. His father passed away when he was just 6 years old.
Dr. Hollis graduated from LIFE Bible College, Los Angeles (presently Life Pacific College, Dimas, CA) in 1937 at the age of 18. He was ordained and served at churches in St. Peter, Minn.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Newton, Iowa; Urbana, IL.; and as a youth director at Angelus Temple in Los Angeles before going to Moline Gospel Temple in May of 1949. Rev. Hollis received an honorary doctorate of divinity from LIFE Bible College in 1965 - and was known by many as a "prince of preachers."
He met his wife, Ruth Vingren - also an ordained minister - at an open-air meeting in Fairfield, Iowa, where they were both playing in a symphony band. The two were married on July 8, 1943. After the marriage, they moved to Urbana, IL. where he was pastor of a church and studied liberal arts courses at the University of Illinois.
Innovation and phenomenal growth marked Rev. Hollis' 50 years of ministry at Moline Gospel Temple. The church grew to a 3,000- member congregation and three major expansions took place on the building. He used buses to bring people to church and Sunday School. The Sunday School department was recognized as one of the largest in America. In 1976, he launched a television ministry and founded a local program called Gospel Temple Presents that aired for more than 20 years on WHBF. In 1977, he established a Christian School, which offered classes from pre-school through 12th grade.
Dr. Hollis traveled extensively, leading eight tours to the Middle East and holding evangelistic campaigns and missionary conferences in Japan, the Phillippines, Taiwan and most of Central and South America. He visited 45 countries - and in 1965, he traveled 20,000 miles through Central and South America.
To thousands, Dr. Charles Hollis served as an example of Christ-motivated love, and was an outstanding Christian leader who strove to keep the vision fresh and dedication renewed in service to God and God's people.
In memory of Dr. Charles L. Hollis, donations may be made to the following: Quad Cities Christian School, 1401-16th Street, Moline, IL. 61265 and Life Pacific College, 1100 Covina Blvd., Dimas, CA 91773.
Survivors include his sister - Elizabeth Hollis Hensel ( Chatsworth, CA); nieces - Rachel Hensel Cole (Chatsworth, CA); Anna Hensel ( Granada Hills, CA); June Hayes (San Pedro, CA); and nephews - Robert Hensel ( Lee's Summit, MO); Charles Harris (San Pedro, CA).
He was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife of 59 years, Ruth, and his sister, Devota Hollis Harris.
Online condolences may be expressed to Dr. Hollis' family by visiting his obituary at
www.esterdahlmortuary.com
Visitation will be held at Moline Gospel Temple from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on November 9 and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on November 10. The funeral service will be held on November 10 at 11:00 a.m. at Moline Gospel Temple. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Moline. Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. Moline is in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Hollis was born in Danville, IL., on August 15, 1918 to Charles and Nancy Hollis. His father passed away when he was just 6 years old.
Dr. Hollis graduated from LIFE Bible College, Los Angeles (presently Life Pacific College, Dimas, CA) in 1937 at the age of 18. He was ordained and served at churches in St. Peter, Minn.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Newton, Iowa; Urbana, IL.; and as a youth director at Angelus Temple in Los Angeles before going to Moline Gospel Temple in May of 1949. Rev. Hollis received an honorary doctorate of divinity from LIFE Bible College in 1965 - and was known by many as a "prince of preachers."
He met his wife, Ruth Vingren - also an ordained minister - at an open-air meeting in Fairfield, Iowa, where they were both playing in a symphony band. The two were married on July 8, 1943. After the marriage, they moved to Urbana, IL. where he was pastor of a church and studied liberal arts courses at the University of Illinois.
Innovation and phenomenal growth marked Rev. Hollis' 50 years of ministry at Moline Gospel Temple. The church grew to a 3,000- member congregation and three major expansions took place on the building. He used buses to bring people to church and Sunday School. The Sunday School department was recognized as one of the largest in America. In 1976, he launched a television ministry and founded a local program called Gospel Temple Presents that aired for more than 20 years on WHBF. In 1977, he established a Christian School, which offered classes from pre-school through 12th grade.
Dr. Hollis traveled extensively, leading eight tours to the Middle East and holding evangelistic campaigns and missionary conferences in Japan, the Phillippines, Taiwan and most of Central and South America. He visited 45 countries - and in 1965, he traveled 20,000 miles through Central and South America.
To thousands, Dr. Charles Hollis served as an example of Christ-motivated love, and was an outstanding Christian leader who strove to keep the vision fresh and dedication renewed in service to God and God's people.
In memory of Dr. Charles L. Hollis, donations may be made to the following: Quad Cities Christian School, 1401-16th Street, Moline, IL. 61265 and Life Pacific College, 1100 Covina Blvd., Dimas, CA 91773.
Survivors include his sister - Elizabeth Hollis Hensel ( Chatsworth, CA); nieces - Rachel Hensel Cole (Chatsworth, CA); Anna Hensel ( Granada Hills, CA); June Hayes (San Pedro, CA); and nephews - Robert Hensel ( Lee's Summit, MO); Charles Harris (San Pedro, CA).
He was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife of 59 years, Ruth, and his sister, Devota Hollis Harris.
Online condolences may be expressed to Dr. Hollis' family by visiting his obituary at
www.esterdahlmortuary.com
To send flowers to the family in memory of Charles Lee Hollis Rev. Dr., please visit our flower store.