Poland Village Baptist Church marking 50th year

Staff report

POLAND

Poland Village Baptist Church, 79 Hill Drive, will celebrate its 50th anniversary Sept. 17 and 18. The theme of the two-day celebration is “Our Journey, His Glory.”

The church began with a small group of about 25 families, first meeting during April 1966 in Struthers High School auditorium while searching for land in Poland. The James Hill property on Hill Drive in Poland was purchased in 1966. The congregation first met in the 19th-century home on the property, which became the parsonage, home for several pastors and their families in subsequent years. Building plans were formulated for a new church facility on the grounds. The first service was Easter Sunday of 1971 in the new building.

The old original barn on the Hill property is still used by the church. An outside stage is attached to the back of the barn, where summer events take place. From its inception, the church has been involved in service to the local community and has supported missionaries all over the world.

Poland Village Baptist Church has had seven pastors in its history – Andrew Marstellar (1966-1968), Robert Domokos (1969-1972), Calvin Steiner (1973-1979), Richard Fisher (1980-1988), Peter Armao (1989-1993), Michael Hooks (1994-2010) and Brian Ethridge (2011-present).

Today, Poland Village Baptist Church is growing in number and ministries, striving to reach the community and the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The celebration includes a banquet Sept. 17 at the church for invited guests. An open church service will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 18.

Special participants for the banquet and service include Dr. David Warren, state representative for the Ohio Association of Regular Baptist Churches; Calvin Steiner, Richard Fisher and Michael Hooks, former pastors at PVBC; Dave and Evelyn Southwell, retired missionaries; and Phil and Arleen Blycker, current missionaries supported by PVBC. Several “founding families” will be among the guests in attendance. A bronze cornerstone plaque has been added to the entrance wall outside the church building, commemorating the 50-year milestone.

Regular Sunday service times are 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. with Sunday school for children and adults and worship service at 11 a.m.. There is a Sunday evening Word of Life Club for children and Torch for teens at 5:45 p.m.; women’s Bible study at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursdays; and men’s Bible study Tuesday evenings. Sunday sermons are available online. Visit the website at www.pvbc4u.org or call the church for information at 330-757-9258.