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Grace Baptist Church has a history rich in commitment, personal sacrifice, and love for our Savior. Most remarkable about Grace Baptist Church is the courage, zeal, and commitment of the people and pastors who have made up the church over the last 75 years. It is a commitment to be true to God’s Word, to personally evangelize the lost, to reach out to the community and to reach the lost around the world. The believers at Grace have taken personally Jesus’ command to “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel.” The Fundamental Gospel Tabernacle was born in 1931 with a desire of its members to stay true to God’s Word and separate themselves from modernistic practices. Grace Baptist Church stays true to that creed 75 years later. On November 26th a few faithful souls, along with Reverend James O. Smith, held their first service in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Irving Austin. By God’s grace and bountiful supply, the members of Fundamental Gospel Tabernacle were able to secure the fletcher chapel building on Fletcher Chapel Road in Medina. The members were filled with joy and vision as they began to work tirelessly on this run down structure. They were encouraged by the Lord to press on even in the midst of the Great Depression. The remodeling process was all done by volunteers of the church and by, as the ledger reads, “several men who were in no wise connected with our group.” God continued to work miracles in the hearts of community members through the preaching of His Word. In 1937 Reverend Smith purchased a used sound system with records and installed it in his car. A sign was attached to the top of his vehicle which announced the service times at Fundamental Gospel Tabernacle. The sound system was used in parks, evangelistic campaigns and at the four corners in Medina. The fruits of these labors resulted in 94 souls saved, 86 baptized, and the surrender of Vincent Ross to full times service. During the 1940's, much emphasis was given to foreign missions - especially Africa. In 1940, an official missionary committee was formed and an official budget was set up. In the same year, Merle Watkins announced his intentions to be a missionary to French Equatorial Africa. This began the lifelong commitment of the Watkins family to the field of Africa. There are still Watkins in Africa today serving the Lord. In 1942, under the leadership of Reverend Merle Watkins, the members of Fundamental Gospel Tabernacle decided to purchase the Dr. Maynard property located at 120 Park Avenue. Again, the members worked hard to renovate the doctor’s mansion into a worship-filled edifice to bring glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ. The church began a radio broadcast over WBTA out of Batavia. Pastor Watkins and several of the youth would drive to Batavia Sunday morning for a 15 minute live broadcast and then drive back in time for Sunday School. The broadcast was later increased to 30 minutes. In 1944 the church’s name was changed to Fundamental Independent Baptist Tabernacle. In 1945 Reverend Watkins resigned to go to French Equatorial Africa as a missionary. Upon his resignation he presented to the church a neon “Jesus Saves” sign. In 1951, Fundamental Independent Baptist Tabernacle weathered a great tragedy: the destruction of the newly purchased and renovated property by fire, totaling $40,000 in loss. The clerk, Mrs. Pearle Chubbuck, recorded these words in the church ledger: “These pictures tell a part of the sad story. Romans 8:28 has a deeper meaning than ever before, we cannot understand it but we must believe it.” Now the saints at Fundamental Independent Baptist Tabernacle had their work cut out for them. They had to rebuild or buy another church building. But, remember, these dedicated members had been fixing, refurbishing, and remodeling every church building they worshiped in starting with the Fletcher Chapel building in 1931. The faithful saints bravely carried on with the evangelistic meetings that were going on at the time. The congregation purchased a parsonage for Pastor Ray Fredericks at 1202 West Avenue and then began holding services in City Hall for the next two years. Undaunted by this physical calamity, Reverend Fredericks continued to encourage youth to attend Bible school and enter full time missions. As a result, the Lord worked in the hearts of several young people including; Merle and Lorene Watkins, Carol Watkins, Roy Watkins, Donald Fredericks, Donna Boyce, Ray Dunn, Vida Jane Dunn, Avis Sowl, Patricia Baehr, and Joyce Ross to enter Bible school with the intent to serve the Lord full time. In 1953 the basement at 120 Park Avenue was renovated to hold church services and have Sunday School. That summer, with dirt floors, over 100 children were ministered to each day during Daily Vacation Bible School. In April of 1958, under the shepherding of Reverend Pifer, work was begun to rebuild. Nehemiah 2:18 and 20 says, “And they said let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. The God of Heaven, He will prosper us, therefore we His servants will arise and build.” Each Sunday everyone went on a tour to see what had been done. Less than a year later, the first service was held in the new sanctuary on March 22, 1959. Work on the building continued in the summer, including the painting of the existing mural in the front of the sanctuary by Avis Sowl. A special dedication service was held on September 13, 1959. Pastor Pifer was quoted in the Medina Journal Register, “This church is living proof of the power of prayer and the sweat of God’s people.” The work went forward with outreach ministries and missionaries sent out and supported. Some of the outreach ministries were a SS contest with 9 other churches, evening DVBS, evangelistic meetings, Mother Daughter Banquets, home visitation, Awana, and Young People’s Group. Some of the men and women sent out were Chick & Joan Watkins and Ray & Barb Dunn to Africa. In 1964 the church’s name was changed to Grace Baptist Church. In 1965 another fire occurred under the ministry of Reverend Thomas- the burning of the mortgage. The church grew and flourished with more men sent out, including Lavern Rowling, a product of Marvin Dunn’s bus ministry. Outreach continued with rally days, kids crusade, friendly community canvas, DVBS, Christmas contadas, Family Sunday, and the introduction of Joy Clubs. In 1971 a milestone was marked with the honoring of Nettie Lewis’ 25 years of service as church treasurer. In 1972, Grace Baptist Church sent 3 young people off to Word of Life Bible Institute: Lauren Dill, Carolyn Gwynn, and Debbie Strickland. Later that year, what seemed to be a hurtful setback occurred among the members of Grace: a church split. However, as in the past, Romans 8:28 proved true and another independent fundamental Baptist church was established near Ridge Road: Faith Bible Baptist Church. Now Medina was blessed with two Bible believing works to reach the lost. In the years that followed, the small congregation at Grace did a valiant job of maintaining the current building and grounds, maintaining a parsonage for Reverend Charles Sylvia and family, as well as continuing with weekly and often daily home visitation, with many being saved, baptized and joining the church - including many who are still members of Grace Baptist Church today. Other ministries included nursing home ministry, VBS, Sunday School, Junior Church, support of missionaries, and encouraging the youth to serve the Lord. Also, it was around this time that Bill Vann and Ron Houseman were sent into full time service. In 1979 a Christian day school was started. Central Baptist School used the Abeka video curriculum with Gloria Sylvia, Chris Capp, and Martha Damon as teachers. Later, Bill Vann became principal and Byron Muse became the Junior High teacher. In 1987 Pastor Sylvia resigned and went into evangelism. For 2 ˝ years the faithful members of Grace banded together while they sought the Lord’s will for a new pastor. During those years the deacons of the church:Bill Vann, Don Kilner, Paul Oliver, and Lenny Roberto supplied the pulpit for each service. Finally, in 1989, the Lord brought Pastor Edward Cullen to Grace Baptist Church. Under his leadership the church continued to go forward for the cause of Christ. Many new outreach ministries were begun, including the cable broadcast of the church services, a traveling youth choir, a camp for teens, and “Operation Village Storm.” Other ministries, such as the Ladies’ Banquets and 4-H Fair ministry were enhanced. Our teens became involved in the Tri-State youth rallies and Grace Baptist Church hosted several of them. Youth Ablaze also became a yearly opportunity for outreach and ministry to teens. A fresh kid’s club was implemented. Also during this time, Fred Oliver painted a mural on the wall in the north wing hallway. The vision and support for missions was also strengthened and increased. The Lord led Pat Chutko into short term missions, several times taking young people with her to encourage and help missionaries on their fields. Some of the destinations have been: Korea, Africa, Spain, Nova Scotia, and the US Virgin Islands. In 2000, the church ordained Paul Oliver and sent him and his family to pastor in Nova Scotia Canada. In 2001, Brenda Dunn was honored for her 25 years of service in the treasurer/financial minister roll. Brenda is still faithfully serving in this ministry today. In 2003, the Cullens were called to pastor a church on the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. A very smooth transition was made to Pastor Dickson Beam. In the years since he has been here, Pastor Beam has successfully endeavored to be a Pastor who keeps the lines of communicates open between himself and the people of the church. Believing local and world-wide missions to be the heartbeat of the church, yearly Missions Conferences and Faith Promise Missions giving have been instituted. Grace Baptist Church is now helping send the light to such places as Toronto, Phoenix, the Congo, and Cambodia. We support Inner City works, as well as Bible printers and missionary helps ministries. The 2006 Missions Conference put the 10/40 Window and its 69 unevangelized nations on the radar as well. Another emphasis that Pastor Beam has been working on is getting our Sunday School to divide and multiply. Several new classes have been added, including a Zacchaeus class for the disabled and a Women of Success ladies class. In 2006, an effort to rally the Sunday School to top priority resulted in an area-wide Sunday School Convention involving 27 churches. Recently, more young people have been led to Bible colleges and Christian universities. The Moroz family is in Knoxville Tennessee, with Joshua preparing at Crown College for full-time service. Meanwhile, Tim & Robin Denning will be taking a short term missions trip to Alaska. The cablecast is now expanded to include 7 counties, covering much of Western New York. The church also has ministries for the nursing home and Attica prison. It is our desire to be known as a hospital for the spiritually dying community, a place where needs are met as the Bible is applied to the wounded. In 2007 we have launched forward into Medina with ministries dedicated to reaching our neighborhoods for Christ. Today, Grace Baptist Church stands as a living testament to the work of Christ for the glory of God. Still winning souls, edifying believers, sending out missionaries, and striving to move forward for the Lord Jesus Christ. We are thankful to the pastors that have led us and to Pastor Dickson Beam, who continues to lead us to serve Christ in a greater way. Grace Baptist Church continues to be the lighthouse on the corner of Park and West Ave in Medina for the Glory of God.
“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:18
On November 18, 2006 Grace Baptist Church Celebrated its 75th Anniversary
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“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” - Colossians 1:12-14 |