gospel baptist church Background
Gospel Baptist Church, 6235 Clingan Road, Poland, will celebrate its 75th anniversary Nov. 8. Sunday school will be at 10 a.m. followed by services at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. with guest speaker, Pastor Don Barth Jr. of Victory Baptist Church, Marysville, Mich., son of Don Barth, a 45-year Gospel Baptist member who is Sunday school superintendent. Lunch is planned at 1 p.m. The day will include displays of church ministries, slide presentation, testimonies and fellowship. For information, call 330-757-0736 or visit www.gbcpoland.com.
The beginning: In November 1940, a group of Christians met at the Little Red Schoolhouse on Center Road in Poland to discuss a community Sunday school. About 50 attended the Nov. 10 gathering with James Bennett in charge. Sunday School was organized as an interdenominational group called Poland Center Community Sunday School. Officers and teachers were appointed. The first donation to the Sunday school was made by the Rev. Hoover Picklesimer of Youngstown Bible Church. A mite box was for contributions. Baskets were distributed at Thanksgiving and Christmas to the needy.
Services: The group conducted its first church service May 18, 1948, with the Rev. Hugh Gunn of Poland Presbyterian Church filling the pulpit. Other pastors also participated. A Youth Fellowship Club with 40 members was organized in 1949. A choir and individuals provided special music and a men’s quartet, “King’s Messengers,” was formed. Christmas cantatas and plays also were performed.
1950s: In July 1951, services were changed from Sunday evening to morning. In February, 1952, plans were discussed for a new church building. George Thullen bought a plot of land from Mildred Newell. He donated the land to the church, and Newell donated the money from the land. A building fund was started and construction began. Incorporation papers were signed May 12, 1953, and the first service in the new building was Dec. 24, 1954.
1960s and ’70s: In 1969, Pastor Ron Shipley became the first full-time pastor of Poland Center Community Church, which continued to grow. An attendance of 175 was reached when Max Palmer, “Goliath for Christ,” was a special guest. In 1970, the church paid off the mortgage. The first bus was bought and began the “Red Bus” ministry that continues today. Pastor Shipley resigned in February 1972. For the next 11 years, several pastors led the church.
1980s: Phil Hulet served as pastor from 1981-88, and during his pastorate, the name was changed to Gospel Baptist Church. In the fall of 1983, Ron Royalty was called as assistant pastor to start a Christian school as a ministry of the church. Gospel Baptist School began in the fall of 1984. Ten acres of land were bought on Clingan Road, and the first phase of the building project was completed in May of 1985. Church ministries were in the original building until 1987 when construction began on the new auditorium and foyer. In November 1987, construction was completed and a dedication service featured Jack Hyles as speaker. Pastor Royalty became senior pastor in 1988 and has served since.
2000s: Another form of missionary support began in 2010 with BEAMS revivals. Bible Education and Missionary Service is an organization that provides free Bibles to missionaries worldwide. Bibles are packed in boxes for specific countries and sent to the church. At the revival, individuals take boxes and pay postage to have them shipped.