HISTORY

The first services of Grace Gospel Center were held in the Recorder's Court Room at the Rome City Auditorium.

The first Business Meeting was held January 26, 1945. At this meeting, Rev. Hill presided and the election of officers was completed. On February 8th, 1945, the date was set for receiving charter members with 47 present at this meeting. Since the present place of meeting would soon have to be vacated, a committee was appointed to locate another meeting place . On March 11, 1945, the announcement was made that Mr. A. S. Hufstetler had purchased a building at 127 South Broad Street, that would be suitable and that he would be willing to rent it to Grace Gospel Center. There was a unanimous vote to accept Mr. Hufstetler's offer and to rent the building from him as a meeting place.

On June 20, 1945, with Rev. F. W. Hough presiding, By-Laws, which were drawn up by the Executive Board, were read by the pastor and accepted by unanimous vote.

On February 1st, 1946, the pastor read a proposal by the Executive Board to change the name of the church because of some confusion as to the term "Gospel Center". "Therefore, because we want to be recognized in Rome as a fully organized, independent, Fundamental Bible Church, the Executive Board wishes to recommend that the name be changed to "Grace Bible Church". The church voted to accept this recommendation by the large majority. The church Constitution was read by the church clerk on October 4, 1946. It was announced that the Church State Charter had been applied for.

At the Business Meeting on April 16th, 1947, a resolution was passed to purchase the building at 127 South Broad Street. At the September Business Meeting, 1947, Mr. Ralph Clough read a letter of resignation from Rev. F. W. Hough.

On January 11th, 1948, Rev. Nathan B. Penland was asked to preach for the next few weeks, subject to being called as pastor. Rev. Penland was elected unanimously at a business meeting help on February 15th, 1948 as pastor of Grace Bible Church. During his pastorate, the building was remodeled and enlarged. There was much work done with the youth and many were born again. The membership of the church grew rapidly. Rev. Penland resigned in November, 1955.

Rev. Howard F. Burns came as pastor on January 25th, 1956 and remained until July 9, 1958. The parsonage at 103 Cherokee Street was purchased in 1955.

Rev. Donald Lumpkin was pastor from October 1958 to December 1959; Rev. John Ryal was pastor from June 26, 1960 until July 1961; Rev. Clifford Blevins was pastor from January 28, 1962 until February 1963. (Minutes of Church Business Meetings from March 7th, 1950 until May 14th, 1969 were not available for verification of names and dates. Information about pastors was gathered from notes in personal Bibles and from memory.)

On May 14th, 1969, the church voted to relocate. Mr. L. W. Evans presented an offer from another church group to purchase the building from Grace Bible Church. The selling price was $21,000.00. Of this, $14,000.00 was to come from a bank loan. The group would pay $3000.00 down in cash and we would hold the note for the balance of $14,000.00 at 8% interest. The church voted to accept this offer.

However, it was learned that the bank would not lend the group $14,000.00. The group had $3000.00 deposited in the bank and $4000.00 was available from their church headquarters. Either we were to accept a note for the balance of $4000.00 to be paid in monthly installments or forget the offer. After much discussion, it was voted to allow them two more weeks to raise more cash.

In 1970, an ideal location for the church was sought. It was found that the Glenwood Community did not have a church in the immediate area. There were 4 1/2 acres on the East side of the Old Dalton Road owned by the Berry Schools that might be purchased, sine the road separated it from the other school property. The Berry Schools were contacted and they agreed to sell the property to the church for $4500.00. Church services were held in the Glenwood School and later in the Glenwood Courthouse building.

Check back later for more on Grace Bible Church history... 1970 to current.