The story of God’s work in and through Grace Baptist Church is a reminder of his enduring faithfulness. For local congregations, no less than individual believers, to recollect our past together is to be reminded of the words: “The steadfast love the of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Grace Baptist Church was born in the early 1970s as three families in the Whitewater area began to gather together and sought the Lord’s leading in planting a Baptist church in the community.
The small gathering soon called a man to lead and teach them from the Word of God, and David Camp became the first pastor. The first service for the fledgling congregation was held in August of 1972 in the Camp home on South Elm Street in Whitewater.
Soon thereafter, the meetings moved to the Odd Fellows Hall on West Central, and it was there in September of 1972 that the congregation was officially chartered with 6 families and 23 individuals.
From 1972 till 1981, the congregation continued to meet in Whitewater, their meeting place donated to them by Mrs. Velma Erwin on West Central. In October of 1980, however, under the leadership of Pastor Dan Weins, the congregation broke ground for a new building on Highway 196 a mile west of Whitewater.
Meetings moved to the basement of the new building in May of 1981 as the construction progressed. The building was completed and dedicated in May of 1984.
