Grace Baptist Church celebrates 65 years
Grace Baptist Church located at 1510 N. 6th Street will be celebrating their 65th Church Anniversary, Saturday, Oct. 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. with welcome and music at 3 p.m., as well as on Sunday, Oct. 12 with a 10 a.m. message by Joel Ficek, of Fremont. Neb., and an 11 a.m. message by Michael Wessberg of Kansas City, Mo. Both were former members of Grace Baptist. Theme for the weekend is “Looking Unto Jesus”.
As part of the church's history, God burdened the heart of Pastor Paul Miller in Council Bluffs to see new local churches started in southwest Iowa. Those interested in being a part of an independent Bible believing church responded to an ad in the Red Oak newspaper. They started by meeting in homes, then Red Oak public library, and then in the Armory building. In October of 1960, revival meetings were held with Evangelist Clint Reser which resulted in the forming of Red Oak Gospel Tabernacle and Clint Reser was called to be their pastor in 1960. The group purchased property on 5th and Hammond streets in October of 1961 and incorporated in November of 1961. The name was changed to Grace Baptist Church on Dec. 4, 1968. In August of 1973, under the leadership of Pastor Francis Henderson, a new church was constructed at 1510 N. Sixth St. with a dedication service on June 4, 1978. In July of 1974 floor plans were made for a parsonage. Gary Walters has been the current Pastor since August of 1990.