How it all started...
In 1891, when Mrs. Abbie Freeman moved to Chanute, she found there was no Baptist church. She set about to find enough people willing to organize one and the church was formed in 1892 with twenty charter members. Services were held twice a month in the Methodist Church building and the public library until 66 feet of ground was donated to build. A church was built at 118 N. Forest in 1893.
In March of 1910 the church burned down after being remodeled the previous year. Undaunted by this heavy loss the church members launched a building campaign to raise a beautiful stone structure at the same location. This structure stood until 1974. As the church grew over the years, a residential lot south of the church was purchased in 1926 to house men's Bible class, the Primary department, and cradle roll. An Annex building was later built in 1955.
In 1939 the Baptist Church of Thayer was purchased of $125 and moved to Chanute for the Mexican Baptist. Grant Avenue and First Baptist purchased the lot for the building. The mission was supported by First Baptist, Grant Avenue Baptist, Iola First Baptist, and the American Baptist Historical Mission Society.
In 1974, land was purchase south of the annex to build a new church building and the 1910 building was demolished to make room for parking. In 1980 the church remodeled the educational building to tie in with the new church.
In March of 1910 the church burned down after being remodeled the previous year. Undaunted by this heavy loss the church members launched a building campaign to raise a beautiful stone structure at the same location. This structure stood until 1974. As the church grew over the years, a residential lot south of the church was purchased in 1926 to house men's Bible class, the Primary department, and cradle roll. An Annex building was later built in 1955.
In 1939 the Baptist Church of Thayer was purchased of $125 and moved to Chanute for the Mexican Baptist. Grant Avenue and First Baptist purchased the lot for the building. The mission was supported by First Baptist, Grant Avenue Baptist, Iola First Baptist, and the American Baptist Historical Mission Society.
In 1974, land was purchase south of the annex to build a new church building and the 1910 building was demolished to make room for parking. In 1980 the church remodeled the educational building to tie in with the new church.
Expanding the vision...
Between 1987 and 1993 worship attendance rose from 176 to 311, which created the need for two worship services on Sunday morning, starting on February 25,1990. A second pastoral staff person was hired in February 1990 as the new Director of Music, Children/Youth. And in 1992-94 more lots were purchased on Grant Avenue, east of the church complex. Classes were held in these building until they were torn down to create space for another building in 2003. That building is currently called the Good News Center.
In 2006, the two Sunday morning services were revised, with one in the main sanctuary at 10:30am and the other in the Good News Center gym at 10:23am.
In 2006, the two Sunday morning services were revised, with one in the main sanctuary at 10:30am and the other in the Good News Center gym at 10:23am.