In 1879 a new church was born. The first pastor was H.M. Freeman. In 1932, several churches split off from the Northern Convention,……. A new denomination was formed called “The General Association of Regular Baptist Churches.” North Chester joined this group as did most of the Baptist Churches in the area.
Over the years pastors have come and moved on but a remnant of the congregation always seems to remain. Many souls have been saved in this old Church. Many souls have moved on to be with Jesus. Many souls have come back to see this old church they grew up in.
North Chester Baptist Church
There’s a red brick church in the country
That was built in the long, long ago
Its steeple points upward to heaven
As though it wanted all to know.
Of the message preached from its pulpit
“Jesus blood washes whiter than snow.”
Its bell has pealed out in the silence
Ringing forth on each Sunday morn.
Seeming to say to all far and wide
“Come, all ye that are weary and worn,
The Savior Himself now invites you
His heart for your sorrows was torn.
The Church was founded
and was grounded on the Bible.
God’s own Holy Word.
Its pastors have preached the true Gospel
And many, many people have heard.
Many, also have received salvation
By the Spirit their hearts have been stirred.
Some have gone forth into God’s service
In obedience to His will and call.
Others have stayed here and have laboured;
Keeping the church going so that all
That pass by its doors might know truly
God’s with North Chester Church, whatever befall.
Week after week and month after month,
The faithful in Christ have gathered here,
Meeting for fellowship, prayer and praise
Watching, waiting for Christ to appear.
Rejoicing together in their joys,
Shedding for those in sorrow a tear.
Here, one Sunday as a boy, I knelt
By this front pew, with a simple prayer,
“Jesus come into my heart, save me!
For I know all my sins you did bear.”
He heard and answered me here that day;
Forever I am safe in His care.
Once again when I was in my teens,
Those tumultuous and troublesome years,
God spoke to me right here in this church.
At the memory, I blink back the tears.
Much afraid and my mind full of doubts,
He took away completely my fears.
In tenderest love He showed to me
Through His keeping pow’r I need not fall.
Amazed at His wondrous grace divine,
I fell at His feet to give my all.
I yielded my life to do His will,
Ready to go or stay at His call.
So now for a century of time
Acknowledging Christ as Head and Guide,
Lives have been changed by the word of life.
Many have been rescued from evil’s tide.
North Chester has fulfilled God’s great plan,
The red brick church in the countryside.
-Cloyde Shirk