The Grace Baptist Temple was founded by Dr. O.E. Caldwell and Rev. Ralph R. Mathews. A small group of 36 Christians met on April 17, 1949 in the auditorium of the Nitro High School for Easter Sunday services. They decided to organize as the Nitro Baptist Temple. Early services were held in a tent in Nitro, West Virginia with Dr. Caldwell and Rev. Mathews as Co-Pastors.
After purchasing the property on MacCorkle Avenue in St. Albans, the name of the church was changed to the Grace Baptist Temple. When the foundation was poured a New Testament was sealed and placed under each corner of the building. The concrete blocks were made by members of the church at night at a plant on Campbell's Creek in Charleston, West Virginia. The first services held in the existing building were held in the basement in August 1950. Imported African mahogany and hardwoods were used in the beautiful auditorium which was completed in 1955. It would seat 1200 which was the largest auditorium in the state at that time. Most of the labor for the building was furnished by the members of the church.
The beautiful baptistery was hand painted by the choir director, V.L. Bassett in the spring of 1956.
A fellowship hall, known as Temple Hall was built in 1972 and in 1978 new offices were built and the church was re-decorated.
The front entrance to the church has been renovated adding the large white pillars and an access ramp. This has enhanced the church's beauty and made it much more accessible for the elderly and the physically impaired.
On June 13, 1999, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for what would become a beautiful Activities Building. It includes a full size gymnasium, a complete kitchen, and dining room facilities. This project was completed in December of 1999 and the first church dinner was held on January 2, 2000. This provides a great multi-purpose facility for our weekly AWANA programs, participation in our Community Church Basketball League, banquets, weddings, receptions, etc. Its uses continue to expand in being a blessing in the ministry of our church. It had been prayed for and needed for many years. We are so thankful for God's blessings.
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