Our Story
IN THE BEGINNING
Rev. Williams, pastor of the South 7th Street Baptist Church, had a passionate concern for the new Harvard Park development and in 1908; helped Mr. and Mrs. Charles Snell of 2351 South 10th Street organize a Sunday School in their home which met on Sunday afternoon. Mr. Snell served as Superintendent and they worked faithfully to interest parents and children. Soon after that was started, Rev. Williams contacted the American Baptist Home Missionary Society regarding the possibility of securing a railroad chapel car. On October 26, 1908 a chapel car was set on the sidetrack at the southeast corner of Ninth and Iles Park. Because of the interest and enthusiasm shown, a real estate firm of Miller and Troxell, offered to give two lots to the Baptists provided a suitable church building to not cost less than $2500.00 to serve community needs was erected. On July 11, 1909 records show the church was instructed to proceed with plans for the erection of this building on the corner of Ninth and Wellesley. Before the Harvard Park School was constructed, the chapel was used as a day school for children in the area.
FROM A CHAPEL TO A CHURCH
On December 10, 1913, the membership of the South 7th Street Baptist Church decided they could no longer carry the responsibilities of the chapel, so a committee was appointed to confer with the trustees of Central Baptist Church with an offer to turn the property over to them if they could assume all indebtedness. This offer was accepted on January 7, 1914 and thus Harvard Park Chapel became responsibility of Central Baptist Church. Rev. Edward Benden became Pastor in charge of the Harvard Park ministry, serving until 1916.
HARVARD PARK IS CHARTERED!
Easter Sunday, April 20, 1924 was the date chosen for the official chartering of the Harvard Park Baptist Church. On that date we became an independent Northern Baptist Convention congregation. The Convention later was renamed the American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A.
BUILDING THE DREAM
In 1960 the sanctuary was built and dedicated under the ministry of Rev. Edward E. Bollinger who later left to be a missionary. Our educational building which is now our Community Center was built and dedicated May 21, 1961.
CHRISTIAN SCHOOL & PUPPET MINISTRY
In 1974 there were two ministries started, one was The Gospel Gang Puppet Ministry, with church youth operating a variety of puppets performing for churches, parties, and meetings of many kids and as far away as Colorado. The second was the Harvard Park Christian School where many children received a Christian education through our day school.
THE DREAM CONTINUES TO GROW
On March 1, 1982 the Rev. Paul H. Maitland was pastor when the church adopted neighborhood activities, Adult Inquiry Groups, Children’s stories in church, and several new Sunday school classes. Then arrived Dr. John Charlton, III on March 1, 1990 with his wife Barbara he opened the doors to Girl Scouts and Cub Scout groups. He created The First Day Fund of Springfield (a non-profit organization that provides school supplies to underprivileged kids), and a new small group ministry called Barnabas Groups. In March, 2014 Dr. John retired and became a Deacon of the church.
NEW CHAPTER BEGINS
Pastor Gary W. Sheets became a member of our church on July 6, 2014 and began his service as an Interim Pastor. He was installed as Pastor of Harvard Park Baptist Church on Sept. 25, 2016. Like many “old neighborhood” churches, Harvard Park was in decline. Pastor Sheets with the help of a few members launched a sermon series in 2017 called “Healing from Within.”
COMMUNITY CENTER IS BORN
Pastor Gary Sheets married Mary Jean Richardson on January 6, 2018. They both have a love for the ENTIRE Bible, both Old and New Testament combined, and the promise that we, as believers in Christ, are grafted into the line of Abraham. We are heirs to the promise that God made to Abraham back in Genesis, that his descendants would be too numerous to count, and would bless all the nations of the earth. The sermon series for 2018 has been looking at the Holiness of the Lord, and His chosen people. We have looked at the Names of our Father and Creator and how the Jewish people have been taught to Honor and Celebrate that relationship. Also, concurrent with the Ordination and Installation of Pastor Mary Jean Sheets, they have begun the work of turning the education building into a full Community Center, gearing up to teach classes in need for the Church and the community at large.
THE BEST IS YET TO COME
Together Pastor Gary Sheets & Pastor Mary Jean Sheets work side by side with the purpose of turning Jesus words into reality by: Feeding the Hungry, Clothing the Naked, Reaching the Lost, and Feeding His Sheep through the word of God, and powerful evangelism.
