Our Vision Mission & History
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OUR VISION To LINK Church and Community Locally and Worldwide with Jesus Christ through
Loving Influencing Nurturing and Keeping
OUR MISSION
Transform Lives Heal Hearts Win Souls
To lead people into a caring, vibrant, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ
OUR CORE VALUES AND BELIEFS
We believe there is only one God and that the unchanging message of Jesus Christ should be presented in the language and context of our ever changing culture We believe that it is only through Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death, burial and resurrection that a person can know forgiveness and eternal life with God
We believe in the biblical practice of baptism by immersion as an outward statement of faith in Christ
We believe people matter to God and in turn to us as a church family, that loving relationships should flow through every aspect of church life and community
We believe authentic community is necessary for personal and spiritual growth
We become what we are committed to, and we encourage growth in commitment to Christ and His church
We believe that a lifestyle of service is the evidence of active faith in God
We believe in leadership and investing in the next generation for our future and that the church should be led by those with leadership gifts
We are a welcoming place of worship and believe that our church’s hospitality is God’s gift collectively to be used in ministry to our community
We believe in the fundamental teachings and truths of God’s Word but are not bound by the practice of tradition, and that change happens best in the context of an intimate connection with God and with people in small groups
We believe that a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and full devotion to Him characterize every believer. To become a Christian requires a personal acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord
We believe the church should operate as a unified community stewarding their spiritual gifts for effective ministry
OUR HISTORY In many ways, Mulgrave Park United Baptist Church has been and is a ‘miracle church’ and that is because there are those who believe in miracles and help them come to pass. For a church is more than a building made with hands – it is a body of people. The first services were held in Mulgrave Park School, with Rev. G.S. Vincent and Rev. H.L. Denton devoting many hours of their time.
In October 1949, the first stage of the basement building, which has served as our Sunday School, was completed.
The church was officially organized on January 15th, 1950, with a membership of 19.
Following the first Business Meeting on January 18th, 1950
Our church was received into the United Baptist Convention of the Maritime Provinces.
During the year following, the membership increased to 44, and these constituted our charter members.
Under the leadership of Dr. Athol Roberts and Miss Dorothy Mutch, the newly organized church expanded rapidly, particularly in the Sunday School. Thus, in the summer of 1950, an addition of 5 rooms, each 12’ x 12’, consisting of a Pastor’s Study, kitchen, and three Sunday School rooms, were built, almost entirely by volunteer labor.
But the end was not yet.
It had been the intention to build the church edifice over the basement structure, but already crowded Sunday School facilities suggested further expansion, and, again reaching for a miracle, the small group of forty four members ‘launched into the deep’ , and erected a beautiful church, with a seating capacity of 400, and a matching six room parsonage.
The church was dedicated on March 15th, 1953. By this time, the membership had increased to 106.
In September 1956, the church came out from under the wing of the Home Mission Board, and became self supporting.
But still further expansion was necessary due to the growth of the Sunday School and Youth Groups, and in 1958-59, a second story was erected on the church hall., providing a gymnasium and additional classroom facilities – this new Auditorium was dedicated in December 1959 and designated as the ‘B.D. Stevens’ Auditorium.
In January 1962, the mortgage on the parsonage was liquidated, and in September of the same year, we thanked God for His continued blessing and burned the mortgage on our church building.
During the year 1963, a much needed choir loft for our Junior Choir was constructed and donated by B.D. Stevens.
An extension was built on the parsonage in 1967, which provided an additional upstairs bedroom and a dining room on the first floor.
During 1968, the church received a legacy of $10, 000 from one of its faithful members, Mr. L.H. Starratt, and in accordance with his wishes, a new heating system was installed in our church, and the vestibule renovated. Also, new drapes were provided for the Baptistry and archways and new carpet laid down the aisles and on the platform.
Also, during 1968, the Ladies Parlor in the upstairs auditorium was converted to a much needed Nursery. This was a special project of the Ladies Auxiliary.
The need for a church parlor where small groups could meet was discussed many times and tentative plans made, but finally in 1970, the vestry was renovated and a church parlor constructed in the north west corner – this room was paneled, carpeted and beautifully furnished, and has served many useful purposes. The dedication was held on June 14, 1970.
In 1974, a public address system was installed in the church auditorium, and in 1978 6 cribs were constructed in the church nursery.
Mulgrave Park Baptist Church has been the work of many hands – many willing hands, for the genius of this enterprise has been the skill and willingness of its participants. Since it’s very inception there have been those who have given freely of time and talent, indeed, so large a proportion of it’s membership, that nearly all have, at some period or other, given both hours and work. Some of course have given far more than any duly allocated share. Theirs is the greater glory – only God is the timekeeper.
However, out of love for his Lord and Master, B.D. Stevens gave untiringly of his time, workmanship and finances that a Sunday School and Church could be erected on Sebastian Street, and down through the years, the need for additional facilities, such as the second storey on the Sunday School building, a loft for the Junior Choir, a church parlor, and other items too numerous to mention, had only to be mentioned in his presence and the work was accomplished. His reward will be when he hears the Master say, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord.’
Although many others could be mentioned by name, it seems only fitting that special tribute should be paid to Deacon Maynard and Sadie Delong, who were instrumental under the guidance of Almighty God, in bringing Mulgrave Park Baptist Church into being.
Once they saw a need for a Baptist church in the north end, they never faltered, although at times the difficulties seemed insurmountable. They always had a word of comfort for those who were sad, a word of encouragement for those who were discouraged, a word of praise for a job well done, and sometimes – not so well done. As they walked hand and hand through life, the love of their Lord and Master so radiated from their lives that it shone as a beacon on a hill guiding weary souls to the haven of rest.
Our Pastors
Rev. Athol Roberts October 1949-July 1950
Rev. Harry A. Renfree June 1950-September 1954
Rev. Stuart E. Murray January 1955-June 1956
Rev. Robert P. Matthews August 1956-June 1965
Dr. J. Murray Armstrong July 1965-June 1971
Rev. John W. Bartol July 1971-May 1976
Rev. Carl A. Price August 1976-June 1988
Rev. Steven B. Hopper November 1988-January 1997
Rev. Leo S. Fletcher September 1997-December 2001
Rev. Brian E. Keezer March 2003-Present
Our First Board Of Deacons
B.D. Stevens
M.B. Delong
W.E. Heisler
Rev. Athol Roberts
Our First Board Of Trustees
Mr. Lemuel Jennex, Chairman
Mr. Frank Weaver, Secretary
B.D. Stevens
Willis Crooks
Arthur Fink
Charter Members
January 1950-January 1951
Mr. B.D. Stevens
Mrs. B.D. Stevens
Mr. W.E. Heisler
Mr. M.B. Delong
Mrs. M.B. Delong
Miss Eva Saunders
Mr. Frank Weaver
Mr. O.R. Webster
Mrs. O.R. Webster (Mrs. Elizabeth Kerrigan)
Mrs. C. Nickerson
Mr. Lemuel Jennex
Mr. Arnold Randall
Mrs. Arnold Randall
Rev. Athol Roberts
Mrs. Athol Roberts
Mr. Willis Crooks
Mr. Austin Lathem
Miss Joyce Taylor (Mrs. William Paeth)
Mrs. C.H. Yeadon
Mr. Ernest Young
Mrs. Ernest Young
Miss Jennie Young
Mrs. Jens Jensen
Mr. Arthur Finck
Mr. Russell Covey
Mrs. Raymond Muttart
Mr. Chester B. Pye
Mrs. Laird Taylor
Mr. Hatfield Williamson
Mrs. Hatfield Williamson
Mrs. Allen Zinck (Mrs. Roy Tillman)
Rev. Harry A. Renfree
Mrs. Harry A. Renfree
Mr. Merrill Wagner
Mrs. Merrill Wagner
Mr. Charles Joudrey
Mrs. Charles Joudrey
Mr. Russell Jones
Mrs. Russell Jones
Miss Gloria Jones
Mr. Donald Channel
Mrs. Donald Channel (Mrs. Edna MacKay)
Miss Janet McGrath
Miss Bertha Archibald
‘Tis no majestic edifice, With stately pillars rising high,
Nor a cathedral, rich and great, With spires mounting to the sky. No costly gems adorn its walls, Nor golden cup its altar fair, It has no need of earthly lure, To make it grand, for God is there. In white simplicity it stands, Upon a carpet soft and green. A monument of willing hands, And loving hearts to the Unseen. Whose Presence there we humbly feel, As lovingly our Lord we meet; And with simple contrite faith, We bow in reverence at His feet. We thank Thee, Father, for our Church, for as we meet and worship Thee, And fellowship and Christian friends, we’re building for eternity. Sadie E. DeLong |
