75th Anniversary Celebration
by August 27, 2009 2:53 pm 193 views
Special events are scheduled for the weekend of September 12, as Grand Avenue Baptist Church celebrates its 75th year of existence. Former pastors, staff and members will host a banquet that Saturday night at the Holiday Inn City Center. Six of the twelve men who have pastured Grand Avenue Baptist Church will be on hand to speak at the banquet and again at the Sunday morning worship service.
In connection with the celebration, the church has produced a history book which recounts the major events of the church, beginning with its start under a tent at the corner of 39th street and Grand Avenue.
That canvas tent provided a place of worship for the first service on September 9, 1934. When the weather became bitterly cold, the group moved to a member’s home, and then to rented facilities. Over two years later, the church built its first building, which was dedicated in March of 1937. Since that time, Grand Avenue Baptist Church has grown from a charter membership of 20 to a membership of over 2,500.
“For more than seven decades, Grand Avenue Baptist Church has had a significant, positive impact on the entire River Valley region. I am humbled to serve as the pastor of such a wonderful church whose presence is felt by the entire community. When asked what the secret is to Grand’s influence, my response is always the same: A focus on Jesus Christ, his person, his work, and his ways,” said Dr. Jeff Crawford, current pastor of GABC.
Former pastors attending the weekend events include Cliff Palmer (pastor from 1962-1970), Don Moore (1970-1982), James Bryant (1983-1989), Ed Saucier (1991-1996) and Bill Blanchard (1998-2005). A number of former staff members will also be attending.
Tickets to the banquet are available by calling the church office at 783-5161. Deadline for ticket sales is Monday, September 7th. Sunday morning worship begins at 10:30 a.m. in the main worship center. A special drop-in reception will also be held in the Activities Center from 2-4 p.m.
More information is available at our website at www.grandfamily.net or by calling 783-5161.