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Over 130 years of faithful ministry in Niles
First Baptist Church of Niles has a rich heritage of proclaiming the gospel and serving the community. From humble beginnings with sixteen baptisms in the Mahoning River to a thriving congregation today, our story is one of God's faithfulness through every season.
16 men are baptized in the Mahoning River and desire to begin a Baptist church in Niles, Ohio
The First Baptist Church of Niles, Ohio is organized in May with 17 charter members including James Cleal, Enoch Jones, William Cornwell, G.O. Griswold, C.L. Adgate, James Waterman and their families.
Rev. A.M. Ely is called to serve as the first pastor. He serves 9 years.
Services for the new church are held at the old Town Hall which was located on the grounds of what is now the McKinley Memorial - in the rear of the block by the cannon and monument across from the post office on W. Park Ave.
Property is purchased at 26 E. Church St. and a wood frame building is erected.
A parsonage is erected adjacent to the east of the church at 32 E. Church St.
L.R. Mears accepts the call to be the 2nd pastor.
P.J. Lux accepts the call to be the 3rd pastor.
W.W. Conners accepts the call to be the 4th pastor.
J. Tudor Lewis accepts the call to be the 5th pastor.
The church becomes self-supported.
The church celebrates 25 years of ministry in Niles.
Pastor Lewis dies unexpectedly on a Monday morning after services on Sunday.
H. Alton Lewis accepts the call to be the 6th pastor.
On Sept. 27th, the church is incorporated - the names on the articles of incorporation are Albert Bridgens, T.J. Hobbins, George Swegen, Samuel Law and E.J. Llewellyn.
R.J. Murphy accepts the call to be the 7th pastor.
A major part of the current wood church building is demolished and a larger edifice with a stucco exterior is erected at a cost of $43,000.
The large church bell is incorporated into the new bell tower but is silenced due to the builders fears that the vibrations will weaken the new structure.
Robert Ketchum is called to be the 8th pastor - he will later become instrumental in the formation of a new association of independent regular Baptist churches known as the GARBC.
Church member Grace Bennett sails for Central America for her first term as missionary.
Pastor Ketchum is called away to First Baptist, Elyria.
Chester Tulga is called to be the 9th pastor.
Howard Hamilton is called to be the 10th pastor.
Christopher Burnett is called to be the 11th pastor.
Grace Bennett has to switch her mission field from Nicaragua to Venezuela.
Pastor Burnett's annual salary is $1,800.
The church votes to come out of the Trumbull Baptist Association and the Northern Baptist Convention due to "increasing modernism."
Thomas Short is called to be the 12th pastor.
The parsonage next to the church is now used as a Sunday School annex.
Clayton Bacon is called to be the 13th pastor.
Pastor Bacon forms the Northeastern Bible Institute.
Kenneth Amsler is called to be the 14th pastor.
A young ladies missionary fellowship is started.
Pastor Amsler resides at 653 Fifth St.
The church celebrates 50 years of ministry with special services.
Pastor Amsler hosts the "Back Home Hour" on local radio WRRO.
Saturday, Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m. - Fire destroys the stucco church building - apparently originating from a faulty furnace flue - the Sunday School annex is saved - also the pulpit and the large Bible on the communion table. (these are displayed in the church today)
Services are held in the Christian church parish house & the McKinley Memorial auditorium for the next several years.
Arthur Jones is called to be the 15th pastor.
A parsonage is purchased at 537 Warren Ave.
The church holds its first Daily Vacation Bible School in the summer.
World War II & other issues delay the start of constructing a new church building.
August 14 - the church votes to affiliate with the Ohio Association of Regular Baptist Churches and the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches.
A new brick parsonage is purchased at 615 Washington Ave. for $15,000.
T. Fred Hussey is called to be the 16th pastor and first occupant of the new parsonage.
Baptist Training Union is organized.
Pioneer Girls & the Christian Service Brigade are organized.
Value of current church property now $250,000.
Cliff Kline and Bill Gilmour serve on the Trustee Board.
Missions budget now $8,992.
New polished wood choir chairs are purchased.
Annual missions budget now $15,712.
The church celebrates 75 years of ministry.
John Weyant is called to be the 17th pastor.
The church suffers a split as over 80 members leave to form a new church.
Faith Baptist Church is started by the group that left.
Darrell Bice is called to be the 18th pastor.
John Reeder is choir director.
The parsonage on Washington Ave. is remodeled.
Cliff Kline is church custodian.
The church votes to move the mid-week service from Thursday to Wednesday.
Larry Pugh now serves as choir director and the first assistant pastor.
Margaret (Peg) Baker is church secretary.
Pastor Bice seeks revival for the church.
Property behind the S.S. addition is purchased and blacktopped for use as a parking lot.
Richard Sparling is called to be the 19th pastor.
Carol Sparling (pastor's wife) is choir director.
Joe and Charlene Cook are custodians.
New choir platforms are built and installed by Tom Baker.
The men's softball team wins the league championship.
The property to the east of the church (a former bottling warehouse) is purchased.
A small church orchestra is begun.
Joseph Stevens serves as interim pastor after Richard Sparling resigns.
Myron Daum is choir director.
William Alexander is called to be the 20th pastor - annual salary $10,000.
A new Sunday School class - the Sunshine Class - for mentally handicapped persons is begun by church members Ruth Ann Fritz and Virginia Scaggs.
A concrete basketball floor is poured in the warehouse (Activity Center).
The church pews are padded - AWANA Sparks clubs begin.
Gene Clay is hired as an addition (#2) custodian for the Activity Center.
G. Ben Reed is called to be the 21st pastor.
Jim Read is called to be the 4th assistant pastor.
New brick sign is erected in front of the church.
The men's #2 softball team wins the championship - coach is Pastor Jim.
The parsonage on Washington Ave. is remodeled again.
Average weekly general fund offering is now $2,217.
Pastor Reed retires just short of 30 years as pastor of FBC - the longest service to date.
New roof is installed on the main church building - $37,000.
Dave Burman Jr. is called to be the 22nd pastor.
New Ford van is donated for church use.
Pastor Reed is named Pastor Emeritus.
Various updates to church offices, areas and infrastructure begin.
New trailer is purchased.
A year of change - Pastor Burman resigns in January to go back to FBC Elyria - having served 9 yrs & 4 mos.
Alicia & Cassie Miller fill in as co-secretaries.
Lu Wayne (Tompkins) Annos is church clerk.
Makayla Neiswanger assumes the upstairs custodian duties.
The COVID situation still limits some activities and many from attending.
On March 26th - beloved member Jason Hurst is suddenly taken home to heaven.
As of the end of March, over $437,000 has been given toward the remodel project - bank mortgage principle is $399,000.
Former Assistant Pastor Jim Read and Pastor emeritus G. Ben Reed help fill the pulpit.
Jonathan Scheuler is called to be the 23th pastor.
As we reflect on God's faithfulness throughout our history, we look forward with hope and anticipation to how He will continue to work through First Baptist Church of Niles for generations to come.
“Where Lives are Made New” - 2 Corinthians 5:17
A large 1,350 lb bell is donated to the church by G.O. Griswold - this bell is believed to be the largest bell in the Mahoning Valley & is used today in the current bell tower.
Damages are estimated to be in excess of $22,000.
Pastor & Mrs. Amsler are out of town at the time of the fire.
Church member Rev. James Wooster and family are accepted by Baptist Mid-Missions as missionaries to Haiti.
Missionary Grace Bennett passes away in May - one month after her 50th birthday.
July 14 - Ground is finally broken for the present brick structure - the cornerstone is laid on October 24.
Pastor Jones' annual salary is $3,300.
Annual Missions budget is $4,257.
April 2 - The first service in the new church building is held in the basement while construction continues on the upper portions.
Bernard Sullivan is choir director.
Alberta Davis is organist.
Sunday, Sept. 9 - Dedication ceremonies are held for the recently completed church building - total cost = $107,358.
The baptistry scene is painted by Mr. Fullerton.
Mrs. Griffiths (Genevieve Griffith's mother-in-law) serves as custodian.
October 11 - A special service is held to burn the mortgage on the new church building.
Average general fund weekly offerings total $180.
Under the leadership of Pastor Hussey, plans are formulated for a new S.S. addition.
Brad Baker serves as church treasurer.
Nancy Sanford is church organist.
Dorothy Link serves as missionary treasurer.
August 26 - Ground is broken for the new S.S. addition at the rear of the church.
Oliver Martin resigns as custodian.
Margie (Barrett) Tompkins also serves as organist.
Men's softball team wins the church league championship.
The new S.S. addition is completed and dedicated on April 10 - total cost = $108,311.39.
The old S.S. annex (parsonage) is demolished.
Church property now valued at $300,000.
Georgia Scott is church secretary.
Pastor Hussey's annual salary is $5,940.
Leonard Lewis is church custodian.
Annual missions budget now $10,653.
Church member Frank Chittock is ordained.
Brad Baker and Bill Gilmour elected to Deacon Board.
1952 International 60 passenger bus is purchased.
Average weekly general fund offering now $322.
WHAT A YEAR! There are 532 in attendance for Sunday School on May 3.
DVBS averages 416 children with 76 staff members - 60 professions of faith recorded.
Choir sings the Christmas Cantata - "Love Transcending".
New Baldwin baby grand piano is purchased for $2,510.
Church library is opened.
The ladies missionary society is renamed "Grace Bennett Missionary Fellowship."
AWANA clubs are begun.
Adgate Park is opened for use by the church - this was property located behind the florist shop of church member Keith Hoak on Salt Springs Road - primarily a softball field - the men's team wins the first game played there.
Les Lightner serves as chairman of the Trustees.
Kit Hoak co-directs the choir.
Average weekly general fund offering is $931.
Pastor Sparling's son, Richard, Jr. is called to be 2nd assistant pastor.
Women's softball team wins the league championship - they are coached by Peg Williams & Jean Clay.
A major industrial change affects the area. Population begins a steady decline.
Jeff Scaggs is called to be the 3rd assistant pastor.
Annual missions budget now $18,115.
Judy Spetsios is church clerk.
Annual missions budget is now $34,620.
Former pastor Arthur Jones speaks at 95th Anniversary services.
Benjamin Reed is choir director.
Amendments are made to the Constitution.
May 31 - a massive tornado strikes the city at 6:59 p.m. - many church members are affected but there are no serious injuries to any church members.
AWANA Cubbies begin this year.
New heating system is installed.
Assistant pastor Jim Read resigns to take senior pastorate at Pleasant Heights.
Church member Harriet Cauffield passes away - leaves the church $72,000 from her estate.
Co-Ed Volleyball team wins the league championship.
A new Allen digital organ is purchased for $13,000.
The platform area is redesigned and updated. (piano & organ are moved)
Gary Marburger is called to be the 5th assistant pastor.
The church celebrates 100 years of ministry — former pastor T. Fred Hussey is special guest speaker.
New pianos are purchased for the S.S. department.
DVBS averages 177 including workers.
The foyer is remodeled by removing the wall - nursery is relocated.
A new GMC van is purchased for $20,030.40.
The front room of the Activity Center is remodeled.
The gym side of the Activity Center is insulated for $5,800.
The kitchen is refurbished for $2,000.
Pam Reed is church secretary.
A new Dodge van is purchased.
300 attend Easter Sunday worship service.
Women's and men's softball teams win championships - Women's coach is Wayne Cline - Men's coach is Pastor Gary.
Major renovation to auditorium begins - $33,000.
Average weekly general fund offering now $2,725.
Pastor G. Ben Reed serves his 13th year - the longest of any previous pastor.
Ken Shesko is #2 custodian.
Assistant Pastor Gary Marburger resigns to go to Bailey Road Baptist.
Palm Sunday - 188 attend "Picture Day" in Sunday School.
Nursery is refurbished.
Parsonage at Washington Ave. is sold for $74,000.
Women's softball team wins championship.
Ken Kern is called to be the 6th assistant pastor.
S.S. and Activity Center roofs are replaced - $41,000.
Adam Frederick, Jr. is #2 custodian.
New garage door for Activity Center - $2,665.
New lights for gym installed.
Pastor's annual salary now $32,345.
S.S. classes receive much needed improvements (paint, lights, ceiling fans, drop ceiling tiles).
Under Pastor Reed's leadership, construction begins for an elevator addition at the rear of the S.S. building.
Clyde Logston is #2 custodian.
Assistant pastor Ken Kern resigns.
Elevator addition is completed - $74,000.
Annual missions budget now $44,940.
TASK Force is organized.
Patch the Pirate Clubs are begun.
Over 50 choir members present the Christmas musical "The Richest Family in Town" with members from Bailey Road Baptist and Faith Baptist joining together. The two presentations are well attended.
Y2K fears are unfounded.
Gary Jones is #2 custodian.
The mortgage for the elevator addition is burned.
Bathrooms in the Activity Center are refurbished.
Peg Williams is the church clerk.
Congregation celebrates Pastor Reed's 20th year of ministry.
Men's softball team wins championship - coach is Gary Jones.
New missionary closet built under the foyer stairs.
The Berean class purchases the first new window in the S.S. wing.
Long time custodian Joe Cook retires.
Pastor Reed seeks revival.
New glass front entry doors are installed.
John Murdock is custodian - John suffers a stroke and passes away.
Karen Marburger is custodian.
Tom Johnson is #2 custodian.
New sign is purchased and installed at rear of property - corner of Robbins and State.
The Musical Merrill family helps the church celebrate 115 years of ministry.
Several families, including two deacons are relocated for their work.
The church supports 50 missionaries and agencies.
Parking lot is dug up and resurfaced.
The Merrill family returns to conduct DVBS.
Congregation celebrates Pastor Reed's 25th year of ministry at FBC.
George Pihonsky is custodian.
Longtime member, leader & officer Brad Baker is stricken by a stroke & is no longer able to attend services.
Annual church picnic is at Bolindale Park in Howland.
All windows and the rear door of the S.S. wing are replaced.
New boiler is installed.
A rough year as several church members are promoted to glory.
DVBS has a high attendance of 187.
Pastor Reed leads a team of members on a service trip to Missionary Acres.
Larry Kelly is custodian.
Bob Reed is #2 custodian.
New windows are installed in the Fellowship Hall.
Two new A/C units are installed for the church.
Faith Promise offerings are $23,911.
The Merrills return to help with DVBS - 2 professions of faith are recorded.
Pastor Reed announces that he plans to retire in January of 2011.
Boiler mortgage is burned.
The estate of former member Merle Hammack leaves the church a large bequest.
Bleachers from old high school are purchased for Activity Center.
Platform area is updated and an extension built for pulpit.
Under Pastor Burman's leadership, a building committee is organized to implement a $705,000 Three phase project to update and remodel the S.S. wing as well as build new classrooms and an entry way. Baptist Builders/Church Care (a ministry of the GARBC) will assist and this will save money on labor for the project.
Baptistry is updated and an LED back-lit cross is installed.
Trustees begin systematic building updates and refreshments of the auditorium.
Orchestra now has 18 regular members.
Congregation amends Constitution.
Auditorium is painted, carpet is replaced, pews are angled and receive fresh padding and upholstery, LED lighting is installed and the old "globe" lights are removed.
Storage closet is built in the Fellowship Hall.
An insurance claim is filed due to possible mold damage in Activity Center.
Congregation celebrates 125th year of ministry with special services and guests - the Musical Merrill family & the national representative of the GARBC, John Greening.
Over 400 attend two nights of the Christmas Musical - "Goodwill to Men."
Activity Center gym is completely refurbished with insurance money ($100,000+).
Dan Padgett & Steve Hosaflook are co-custodians.
Average weekly general fund offering - $4,110.
New handicap entrance is built on north end of Activity Center.
Kids4Truth replaces AWANA for older children.
Pastor's annual salary now $50,000.
New railing installed at east side choir entrance.
Exterior of Activity Center repaired and painted.
Educational Wing Remodel project finally begins with the demolition of the S.S. interior.
Several members give hours & hours of time helping with this project.
Remodeling phase of the project is completed - main changes are the expansive new restrooms and gathering area on the upper floor - additional restrooms and large children's areas downstairs. Next phase of project to begin next year.
Annual missions budget now $58,460.
New HVAC is installed for the Fellowship Hall and new HVAC for main church building rendering the boilers no longer necessary.
New heater is installed in Activity Center.
Services are now livestreamed for those unable to attend.
Phase 3 of project (which now includes a new roof on the S.S. wing) begins as ground is broken for 2 new classrooms and entry area with a large drive under canopy.
To date, over $378,000 has been given toward the remodel project.
New sound system installed. The building remodel project is 99% completed.
March 18th - the COVID 19 pandemic causes extreme fear and restrictions on all aspects of society - the church suspends all in-person activities for 10 weeks and services are online only - 130th Anniversary preparations are canceled.
In-person worship resumes May 24th.
Benjamin Reed begins 35th year as music director.
With precautions, the Merrill family returns for DVBS with modest attendance.
Wayne Cline is #2 custodian.
Margie Tompkins retires after 70+ years of ministry as church organist at age 88.
With the finishing of stucco work, the building remodel/addition project is finally completed in November.
New clear protective covers are installed on the stained glass windows.
Major repair to south end of Activity Center wall/roof.
Attendance is about 68% of pre-2020 numbers as fear about COVID continue.
The search for the next pastor continues...
Kayla Francis is church secretary.
Mortgage on remodel is $327,000.
Major repair work is done on main building due to water damage.
Gabbie Neiswanger replaces her sister as upstairs custodian.
Janet Frank serves as organist.
Pastoral search continues... Bailey Road Baptist and Boardman Baptist are also without a pastor at the start of the year.
Jim Read and Pastor emeritus G. Ben Reed continue to serve as interim ministers.
Mortgage on remodel is reduced to under $200,000.
Faith Promise commitment is $28,120.
Mortgage on remodel reduced to $13,886 by end of year with a total of over $640,000 having been given by members and friends to the project since 2013.
Gary Jones is #2 custodian (Activity Center) again.
With a rare unanimous vote and after almost 4 years of searching and waiting on the Lord, the church calls Jonathan Schuler to be the 23rd pastor on December 1st.