History
The Groveland Missionary Church has its origins back in 1896, when Rev. Joseph Ramseyer conducted tent meetings in the area. He returned in the fall of 1897 and pitched a tent on the property of Ben Rediger. Then in the spring of 1898, a group of believers, with forty-one charter members organized and began to hold services. They built a church which was located one block west of the present site. This "first" church is now located on Springfield Road, across from GMC. The building is in its third location and is currently the Hamilton Home. It was first moved near the "second" church and was used as a parsonage for years. It was relocated across the street to make room for the current GMC sanctuary.
Rev. John Birkey served as the first pastor. Here is a list of pastors and dates of service for the past 100 plus years
From the beginning the congregation has focused on missions, sending
Ernest Bieber to the Congo in 1898. In 1911 the building of the
Methodist Church, which had been closed, was purchased and the
congregation moved to the present location. A side room and balcony
were added. The tall steeple was pulled down and the present belfry and
tower were erected.
The facilities were improved in 1950 by removing the old chimney and
the building was raised and moved back from the road. A complete
basement with furnace room, kitchen and rest rooms were added. An
addition was built on the north side which added space to the sanctuary
and provided a study and a classroom. It was dedicated on June 15, 1952.
Seeing
the need for additional Christian Education space, a building project
was undertaken and on May 16, 1971 a new wing was dedicated. It
provided class rooms, nursery, large foyer, library and a remodeled
study. Later, a parsonage and additional land was purchased.
The next 20 years brought changes and growth and on April 10, 1994 a
ground-breaking service was held for a new sanctuary to seat 325. A
baptistery, two offices, a conference room, a classroom, choir room and
choir director’s office were a part of the new construction. It was
dedicated on June 18, 1995.
On
August 12, 2001 ground was broken for a new Family Center, which was
completed in 2002. It included a new entrance, a gym, four classrooms,
a kitchen, youth meeting room and areas for a nursery and toddler
children.
As we continue to grow our focus on missions remains strong. We
currently share in the support of sixteen families in eleven different
countries.
Groveland Missionary Church is dedicated to God’s Glory and continues
to be a Lighthouse in the community pointing men and women to the Light
of Life, Jesus Christ.
The programs for anniversary celebrations:
