OUR HERITAGE
The history of Grace Baptist Church begins with the vision and efforts of the dedicated men of the Indiana Fundamental Baptist Fellowship (formerly the Conservative Baptist Association of Indiana). God led these men to establish fundamental Baptist churches across the state.
Our future is in God’s hands. As He leads we will follow, by His grace, and continue to enjoy His guidance, blessing, provision, peace, and power. If we will be faithful, our most exciting and fruitful days are still ahead.
- July 14, 1962 At the request of the IFBF, Rev. Art Guetterman moves to Muncie to establish a fundamental Baptist church.
- September 9, 1962 25 people gather in the chapel of Meeks Mortuary for the first service.
- October 1962 A room is rented at the Labor Center at Fifth and Walnut Street. The average attendance is 11.
- April 7, 1963 Meeting in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Brown, Grace Baptist Church is established with 14 charter members. The next location of Grace Baptist Church is at 225 Dill Street.
- February 1965 Land is purchased at 6401 (formerly 5801) West River Road. The new building (now the Youth Center) is occupied for the first time on December 19, 1965.
- August 22, 1966 Rev. Guetterman resigns as pastor to enter the U.S. Navy chaplaincy.
- February 5, 1967 The church calls Rev. Collins Glenn to the GBC pastorate.
- September 25, 1968 The congregation votes to construct an auditorium with a seating capacity of 676. The first service is held in that auditorium (now the HHCS Fine Arts Center) on September 21, 1969, with a record attendance of 307.
- Fall of 1972 Heritage Hall Christian School becomes a ministry of Grace Baptist Church.
- 1972 A three-story educational building is added.
- 1974 Six additional classrooms are added.
- 1975 The gymnasium is built.
- 1978 Construction begins on the present auditorium. The dedication service is held on Sunday, April 27, 1980.
- November 4, 2001 A new complex of eight classrooms, offices, restrooms, and a fellowship hall is put into use.
- February 5, 2012 Dr. Collins Glenn retires as Senior Pastor, having completed 45 years of ministry at Grace Baptist Church, and becomes Pastor Emeritus. Upon Dr. Glenn’s retirement, the church calls Rev. Rory Bond as Senior Pastor.
- March 11, 2012 Pastor Bond is formally installed and dedicated to the Lord for this ministry.
- May 2014 GBC is officially debt-free, with the building program mortgage paid in full.
- April 2015 The grand-opening of our Grace Place bookstore and resource center
- November 2016 Renovated Fellowship Hall is re-opened.
- April 7, 2018 GBC celebrates 55 years of ministry—“Building Strong”
- August 28, 2022 The church recognizes Pastor Bond's 25 years of ministry at GBC.
- April 16, 2023 GBC celebrates 60 years of ministry—”Praise for the Past. Faith for the Future."
Our future is in God’s hands. As He leads we will follow, by His grace, and continue to enjoy His guidance, blessing, provision, peace, and power. If we will be faithful, our most exciting and fruitful days are still ahead.
