OUR HISTORY

Grace Baptist Church (GRACE) started as a Bible study in a home on May 27, 1973.  The growing conviction that an independent Baptist church should be started, led the church to contact Pastor Robert Dow of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Baptist Churches (WFBC).  The WFBC, though not a denomination, was a group of Baptist churches in Wisconsin committed to the starting of churches in the state.  Through the encouragement of Pastor Dow and the WFBC, the church contacted Garry Thompson to be the first Pastor.  GRACE officially chartered in December of 1973, having its first official meeting in the “Green Room” of the former Patio Restaurant.  The church then began to meet regularly at the Purdy building located in downtown Marshfield.  After meeting for some time at the Purdy Building, GRACE rented another church facility until it purchased a church building located on 204 Park Street in Marshfield.  The Park Street church building has since been torn down after being purchased by the Holiday Inn Conference Center.  GRACE then met at 312 East 9th Street in Marshfield for over 24 years. In 2012, GRACE purchased 16 acres of property at 11771 Lincoln Avenue and began praying for guidance for the next steps as they continued raising funds.  Construction of a new worship center began in 2021 and GRACE held their first service in their new ministry location on November 7, 2021. Grace Baptist Church celebrated 50 years of gospel ministry at the end of 2023.

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GRACE has enjoyed the ministry of 6 pastors since 1973.

  • 1st Pastor: Garry Thompson - December 1973 through May of 1977

  • 2nd Pastor: Phillip Michelson - May of 1977 through 1980

  • 3rd Pastor: Garry Thompson - 1980 through 1987

    • Grace Baptist Christian School - 1980 through 1987

  • 4th Pastor: Russell Reemtsma - September 1987 through 2000

  • 5th Pastor: Scott Goodwill - October 2000 through February 2007

  • 6th Pastor: Gary Holloway - January 2009 through Present Day