HISTORY

It all began on Saturday, January 26, 1952 in a rented storefront at 1874 South High Street in Columbus.  Approximately 75 people (including seven ministers) attended that first service.  There was singing, prayer, special singing, receiving of an offering and preaching by Rev. Tommy Moore and Rev. Jackie Blackburn.

Several weeks later, on February 21, 1952, the "South End Free Will Baptist Church" was officially organized with fifteen members.  Three lots on East Welch Avenue were soon donated to the South End Church by the members of our sister Church, now known as the Columbus First Free Will Baptist Church.  Construction of a new Church began immediately.

On January 3, 1953, the first service was held in the basement of the new building located at 470 East Welch Avenue.  Regular services were held there until the first floor sanctuary was completed in 1954.  The Welch Avenue Free Will Baptist Church was blessed by God.  Good services, singing, preaching and fellowship was enjoyed by all.  Souls were saved and the Church grew and God was praised and blessed.  Additions to the building we added in 1962 and 1969.  In 1973, a Christian School was started and the following year, two acres of property located on South High Street was donated to the Welch Avenue Church.  The Church purchased an additional fourteen acres with the given land.  Construction of a new and spacious building began in 1976 and was completed in October of 1978.  On October 29, 1978, the first service was held in the new Church located at 2295 South High Street.  A "Dedication Service" was held and the name of the Church was changed to Heritage Temple Free Will Baptist Church.  The new Church seated 2,600 people and it was packed full for that special day.  Again God blessed!  Many precious souls have been saved, discipled and sent forth to work for the Lord.

The Heritage Temple Church faced days of blessing and days of burden.  In June of 2000, after much prayer and consideration, Heritage Temple sold their facility on South High Street and acquired seventeen acres of land at the southeast corner of Parsons Avenue and Obetz Road.  After selling the Church, our attendees met in the Annex Building next to our former Church.  During these days, God met with us and we experienced growth and blessings from God!  On November 18, 2001, the first service was held in the new Heritage Free Will Baptist Church located at 575 Obetz Road and construction began on Phase II, the Sunday School Classroom Building which was completed the following June.  Plans are being made to begin Phase III, a new and spacious sanctuary.

Throughout the years, God has blessed our Church with many wonderful members and workers.  Without their faithful dedication, we could not have accomplished so many things for God.  Among those members have been our pastors.  We gratefully acknowledge them and their service to our Church.

                                      1952-1958                Rev. Delbert Gould

                                      1958-1961                Rev. Fred C. Evans

                                      1961-1966                Rev Tommy Moore

                                      1966-1983                Rev. Paul J. Thompson

                                      1983-1990                Rev. David Boggs

                                      1990-1991                Rev. Delmar C. Sparks (Interim)

                                      1991-2000                Rev. Billy Sharpston

                                      2000-Present            Rev. Tim W. Stout