Luther and Evelyn Barnes were married on May 8, 1927. In 1931 a Foursquare church opened its doors in Decatur, Illinois where they accepted the Lord as their personal Savior. In 1940, having two daughters, Sharon and Ardath, Luther and Evelyn were called to the ministry.

Between 1940 and 1962, Rev. and Mrs. Barnes, as a team with Evelyn's inspirational song leading and Luther's dynamic preaching, pioneered churches in Lake Fork and Niantic, Illinois and also pastored the Oregon, Illinois Foursquare Church. They also held many revival meetings in Illinois, Iowa, and Kentucky, seeing hundreds of souls saved, people healed, baptized, and filled with the Holy Spirit.

In 1962, The Barneses, again following the leading of the Holy Spirit, were called to the community of Harristown. On March 4, 1962 in the Camp Wilson addition, they started a church in an old nightclub on old Rt. 36 - and the Harristown Foursquare Church was born. After much prayer from the pastors and congregation, land was purchased and plans for a new church building were launched. With men, women, and children helping and Brother Barnes working endless hours, the doors of the new Harristown Foursquare opened to a "standing room only" crowd for its dedication service on November 14, 1964.

Thousands of lives have been changed by the ministry of Luther and Evelyn Barnes. Both have been called home to be with their Lord, whom they loved and served so faithfully. We greatly miss them. The mantle of leadership has passed to their grandson, Rev. Brian Canaday. Let us under Pastor Brian's direction, carry on in that same steadfast, unwavering faith. Let us remember our rich heritage, the love, concern, integrity, caring and sacrifice our founders gave to establish our church. Let us follow the great example set forth by Brother and Sister Barnes and continue to make Harristown Foursquare Church a lighthouse to the community as we press on, lifting up the name of Jesus, until He returns.