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Bible Baptist Church of West Chester, Pennsylvania
A BRIEF HISTORY

Bible Baptist Church of West Chester held its first service on January 8, 1967, when eight believers met in the home of Raymond and Becky Craig, Sr.  From the Craig’s home, the group moved to the grounds of the John Knox Bible Institute, where a small chapel was renovated and became the meeting place for the next three years.  During this period of time, the church incorporated with twenty-two church members, purchased a three-acre tract of land at 1237 Paoli Pike, and ordained its first pastor, E. Allen Griffith.  For most of 1970, the church met in the West Chester Y.M.C.A., after leaving the John Knox campus when it was sold.  Groundbreaking for the first building was held on April 11, 1970, and the first service was held in the new building on December 6, 1970.

In September 1972 the ministry was expanded with the inception of West Chester Christian School .   We entered into our multi-purpose building in late summer of 1975 due to the demand for larger facilities.  The church was given the opportunity and purchased an additional 3-1/3 acres between the current property and Airport Road .

In September 1976 Bible Baptist Institute was established, with classes being held on Monday evenings.  This ministry was later changed to full-day classes and the name changed to Bible Baptist School of Theology.

Two years later, in September 1978, the Lord allowed us to enter into our third building—a beautiful 600-seat auditorium with classrooms and other facilities to accommodate the increasing needs.  In 1979, and again in 1982, additional adjoining properties were purchased, adding two more homes and acreage for much needed athletic fields.

As the 80’s unfolded, Bible Baptist Church continued to see God at work, calling men and women into full-time ministries.   As a result, Bible Baptist School of Theology grew rapidly.  Today, many of the graduates continue to faithfully serve the Lord in various areas of ministry.

In May 1989, the Gingerys came to work with the church and school music ministry.  Pastor E. Allen Griffith resigned in December 1993.  Along with his family, he started Biblical Family Ministries.  During the two-year interim time, God’s hand of protection over this ministry was clearly seen and felt as the congregation fervently prayed and looked forward to the calling of a new pastor.

In January 1996, Martin L. Masitto was called to be the new pastor of Bible Baptist Church .  However, he left on October 4, 2000.  Once again, Bible Baptist Church was searching for a full-time pastor.  The Lord graciously sent us Dr. Richard A. Harris, former pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Sellersville , PA , as our interim.  Pastor Harris preached his first message on October 15, 2000.  In the Fall of 2002, the Douglass's joined BBC to take administration of West Chester Christian School .

The Lord, once again, protected and blessed this assembly as we waited for His man for our full-time pastor.  After almost 2-1/2 years, the Lord sent us Pastor Michael Ascher, along with his wife Reneé and their 10 children.  Pastor Ascher preached his first message as our full-time pastor on Father’s Day, June 15, 2003.

In June 2004, after a three month renovation and upgrade, we moved back into our auditorium.  In the Fall of 2004, the Brabsons joined our fellowship to oversee the youth ministry and help in the school. 

From 2004 until the present the Lord has allowed us to see gradual growth in our giving, attendance, and support of missions.  Young adults from our church serve around the world each summer in camps and on short-term missions trips.  Several missions teams have been sent out by BBC.

In June 2007, Mr. Dave Douglass moved from administrator of WCCS to the position of Assistant to the pastor/Director of Outreach.  God led Mr. Dennis Quattlebaum and his family to our ministry in June of 2007 to become our next school administrator.