J. Hugh Rose

Joseph Hugh Rose was born November 21, 1934, in Jewett, Ohio, to J. Harper and Lottie L. Van Allen Rose. He was the youngest of six children.

The Roses were active members in their local United Presbyterian church until his father encountered an Apostolic believer who changed everything with her question, “Have you received the Holy Ghost since you’ve been a believer?” J. Harper Rose was later baptized in Jesus’ name and the Rose family began attending a Pentecostal church thirty-two miles away.

Harper Rose wanted to share the message of the gospel he had come to love, so he started a United Pentecostal church in their hometown of Jewett, Ohio. Throughout his teenage years, Hugh Rose was active in his local church and in statewide activities of the UPC. One of the most meaningful parts of his teenage years was seeing his best friend, Jim Stewart, baptized in Jesus’ name. They remained close friends until the time of Stewart’s passing in 1986.

After graduating from high school, Hugh Rose attended Apostolic Bible Institute in St. Paul Minnesota. During this time, he evangelized with two of his classmates, Glenn James and Dale Dixon. He also met friends at ABI that he would treasure for a lifetime.

Following his ABI graduation in 1955, Nathaniel Urshan invited Brother Rose to Calvary Tabernacle in Indianapolis, Indiana, to assist him. For a boy from a rural Ohio town, this offer was a great honor, and Rose gladly accepted. While at Calvary, he served in many capacities, teaching the youth Sunday School class and at Calvary Christian School, directing the choir, and serving as assistant pastor.

While in Indianapolis, Brother Rose met his beloved wife, Nila. She was the niece of the pastor’s wife, Jean Urshan, and was a significant part of Calvary Tabernacle’s music program. Hugh and Nila were married in 1958. Rose adored Nila and their four children, Hugh II, Stephanie, Dawnella, and David.

During his time in Indianapolis, Rose became the announcer for Harvestime, the radio broadcast of the United Pentecostal Church International. He considered it an honor to be part of the broadcast’s mission: “Reaching every nation with Bible salvation.” He served as the Harvestime announcer for forty-four years, well beyond his time in Indianapolis.

In late 1971, Rose received a letter from his father asking him to come back to Jewett to pastor the church the elder Rose had founded. The following year, Rose moved his family back to Ohio to become the pastor of Harrison Hills Church.

Rose dearly loved the members of Harrison Hills. The faithful saints worked together to build a beautiful sanctuary, an education building, and fellowship hall. Pastor Rose deeply appreciated their dedication to the Lord, to missions, and to each other.

Over the years, the Roses often entertained guests in their home. Evangelists, missionaries, musicians, and pastor friends were invited for meals and fellowship. The Roses supported young ministers who were working to establish themselves, with several spending extended times working with Brother Rose at the church and living with the family.

Rose also became a member of the Ohio District Board. He spent hours attending services and rallies and counseling and supporting the pastors in his section. It was another way he could serve the family of God.

Throughout his life, Rose was a strong supporter of advanced education. He was a member of the Board of Education of the United Pentecostal Church International for many years, advocating for the success and quality of the UPCI’s Bible colleges. In 1985, his ABI diploma was upgraded to a bachelor of theology degree, and in 1990 the school awarded him with an honorary doctor of divinity.

Rose retired as pastor of Harrison Hills in 2009, and Kirt Denney became only the third pastor in the church’s sixty-three-year history. The Denneys loved the Roses deeply and asked Brother Rose to remain active as the bishop of the church even after his retirement. He served in that capacity until his passing on September 23, 2010.

As a teacher and pastor, Hugh Rose inspired others to be their best. People said he saw the very best in them, even when they couldn’t see it themselves. When talking with someone, he was known for giving them his undivided attention. His concern for and belief in others made him a beloved friend and leader.

In the Apostolic Pentecostal community, Rose was best known for his iconic singing voice. He sang at weddings, funerals, and church dedications and captivated audiences at camp meetings, Harvestime Broadcast rallies, district conferences, General Conferences, and even international meetings. His signature song was “Down from His Glory.” The chorus was an anthem that perfectly described Rose’s profound and enduring love of Jesus Christ.

Hugh Rose’s musical talents were not limited to his vocal abilities. He studied music and vocals throughout high school and Bible college, and he played the piano, accordion, upright bass, clarinet, and saxophone. He even wrote a few songs.

Hugh Rose enjoyed many honors and blessings during his lifetime, but he never lost sight of what he believed to be his greatest honor – to know and love Jesus more every day.