The History of Rainbow Temple
Rainbow Temple was established as an inner-city church by Al and Linda Rowan in May of 1993. The church first met in the ballroom of the Holiday Inn in West Mifflin.
After six months the church began to lease the former Prudential Insurance building on Route 48 in McKeesport and a year later the old Greenwood School on Maplewood Street was purchased. The building was completely renovated into classrooms and a small sanctuary. At this time the congregation was named Rainbow Assembly of God.
On July 14, 2000, the Rainbow Assembly of God purchased Temple B'nai Israel at 536 Shaw Avenue in downtown McKeesport. This facility provided the expansion room that the growing congregation needed as well as locating them in the inner city where the heartbeat of their vision could be realized. Honoring the history of the Temple in McKeesport, Rainbow Assembly elected to retain the word "Temple" in its name thereby changing the name of their congregation to Rainbow Temple. Rainbow Temple is affiliated with the Assemblies of God with international offices in Springfield, MO and district offices in Mechanicsburg, PA.
Upon Pastor Rowan's departure, Pete and Elaine Giacalone were appointed as interim pastors for the congregation. In June 2004, Pastor Pete was voted pastor of Rainbow Temple. Pastor Pete has ministered in the Pittsburgh area for many years and was the pastor of Walnut Grove Assembly of God.
