Shalom Baptist Church

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News

In September Shalom Baptist Church in Byesville, Ohio was able to buy an unused building that used to house the local American Legion Post. The building is located close to the downtown area of Byesville on SR 821 (or Second Street). As we explored the history of the building we discovered that is was originally built as a Church of God of Prophesy. We are happy to return it to its use as a Church building.

It is a two story concrete block building with a new roof, gutters and downspouts on a large lot with reasonable parking space. The block has been foam insulated and should cut heating and cooling costs. The basement has a large kitchen area and two bathrooms and a large room with hardwood floors upstairs will be the worship center. It is a great diamond in the rough.

In late September the church gathered to paint the exterior of the building and start working on the structure. We gave the building a facelift to let the community know that changes were afoot. We also put up a banner stating that this was the Future Home Shalom Baptist Church.

Because of the unused condition of the building there was mildew on the downstairs paneled walls, and we decided that it would be best to strip the walls to the original block and repaint. Also to improve the electrical in the building we decided to remove the ceiling in the basement and rewire. The work is coming along well.

We have had some bumps along the way. The gas company required us to put in a new supply line to the street at a cost of $1200. This is an entire month’s budget for this small congregation, but God supplied the funds through an unplanned fund raiser at the Paul Bunyan Festival and a gift from Trinity Baptist Church.

We then learned the newer furnace in the building had too many problems to repair, and a new furnace is required. The installed estimate for heating and air conditioning is $5800. We hope to save 40% by doing the installation, but it will take time to raise the money. In the mean time, we will continue to work as we have funds.

We hope to be able to use the building when the weather warms in the spring, as our average attendance is in the thirties and our small worship center (25x25) is being stretched. We have also started a WMU Mission Friends class for our growing group of little ones to teach them about Shalom Baptists dedication to missions.

New Building still a work in progress

The congregation meeting for prayer to dedicate new building

Shalom Baptist celebrated their first service in their new facility on Saturday April 26th, 2008 with a Passover Seder.  It has been an annual event for Shalom Baptist Church to have a presentation of “Christ in the Passover”, showing the way that God pointed to the Messiah Jesus in the Passover observance.  A full Passover meal was served as part of the service and a total of forty men, women and children were present. Regular worship services will be in the new building starting April 3rd, 2008 at 6:00pm.

This was the first time that  the Congregation had  a chance to use the inside of the new building since the purchase last fall and much thanks is due to the Ohio Southern Baptist Convention for a loan enabling them to make the building usable.

Thanks to their assistance we were able to do the following...

1.) A new furnace / air conditioner was installed. The cost was under $3000.00, about half of the original quote and  $500.00 below the current estimate!

2.) The electric service is being brought up to code.

3.) The building was painted inside and out,

4.) A major mold and mildew problem was corrected and a dehumidifier installed.

Still to be completed are overhauls of the restroom and kitchen areas. Children's furniture is also on the list of purchases.

We have been blessed and while we have had to wait, God has always shown his hand to us in everything that we have been led through.

Passover Seder Observed