First Baptist Church of Granada Hills

History

 

            In 1953 Ed Harness, a Southern Baptist Missionary, had a dream which caused him to lead in the founding of a Baptist mission in Granada Hills with a core group of 16 people. The mission organized as the First Baptist Church of Granada Hills on April 26, 1953 and initially rented space from the Women’s Club. The church called Willard Kelly as its first pastor on July 26^th. A former orange grove on a dirt road was purchased in December which would ultimately come to house the current church facilities.

            Since that time the congregation has grown and the facilities have grown along with it.  First Baptist Church now occupies three buildings (a nursery, a fellowship hall, and a sanctuary) and includes both an English language ministry and Spanish language ministry.  The church has aided a number of other local congregations just starting out and currently hosts a Headstart program.

            The church has been blessed by the leadership of many godly men during its history.  A list of senior pastors and the starting dates of their tenures appears below. (Interim pastors are indicated with an asterisk.)

Willard Kelly (July 1953)

Dale Aycock (June 1955)

Matt Hale (May 1957)*

James Chambers (May 1958)

Howard Greer (July 1959)

H.M. Liechity (January 1967)*

Glen Wood (April 1967)

Dr. Ray Walker (October 1971)

Bruce Swetnam (March 1988)

Bill Ryan (December 1998)*

Bret Capranica (September 1999)

Bob Richardson (February 2003)

Vern Campbell (2005)*

Eugene Curry (July 2006)

The Women’s Missionary Union, circa 1963