Where we started, where we're going. Hunterdale, past, present and future.
On July 6, 1975, Hunterdale Baptist Church was founded by Pastor Howard L. Vinson, Jr., and held its first meeting in what was known as the old Hunterdale Bowling Alley. There were twelve people present for the morning service and sixteen people present for the evening service.
The church was part of the Bob Jones University Church Planting Program. Calvary Baptist Church of Alexandria, Virginia and Southside Baptist Church of Greenville, South Carolina, along with Bob Jones University, aided in the church financially for a short period of time to help the church become established.
The church was formally organized on Sunday, December 28, 1975 in a special service. Charter membership was left open for sixty days. At the end of that period, there were twenty-three charter members.
A 3.8 acre parcel of land was purchased in February 1976, which is the present site of the church. Groundbreaking was held in March 1977 to begin our first building program. Our new church building was dedicated on October 9, 1977.
The church was part of the Bob Jones University Church Planting Program. Calvary Baptist Church of Alexandria, Virginia and Southside Baptist Church of Greenville, South Carolina, along with Bob Jones University, aided in the church financially for a short period of time to help the church become established.
The church was formally organized on Sunday, December 28, 1975 in a special service. Charter membership was left open for sixty days. At the end of that period, there were twenty-three charter members.
A 3.8 acre parcel of land was purchased in February 1976, which is the present site of the church. Groundbreaking was held in March 1977 to begin our first building program. Our new church building was dedicated on October 9, 1977.
The first baptismal service in our new building was held on Easter Sunday, 1980. Earlier baptismal services were held at Berean Baptist Church in Boykins, Virginia.
In September 1980, Hunterdale Christian School opened. The school started with a nursery school and kindergarten for four and five-year olds. A new grade was added each year and the first graduating class was in 1993.
In April 1983 our church ordained Carlton Wayne Joyner as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was the first young man from our church to be called to preach. Brother Joyner was saved through our first Vacation Bible School and is currently pasturing in North Liberty, Indiana.
In 2008 we were blessed to have Will Vinson answer the Lord's call to the mission field. He is preparing for ordination and confirmation by the mission board. He will serve in Romania when dispatched to do the Lord's work.
Our Faith Promise commitment exceeds $900.00 a week and we currently support forty-two missionaries around the world.
The existence of this church is a testimony to the greatness of God and how God has provided for all of its needs through the years. We look forward to seeing God do even better things in the future.