History
Our history is a record of God's faithfulness. In the early days, the church saw the blessing of numerical growth and souls being saved. Later, the church entered a period of great trial as its name was tarnished. Today, Faith Baptist Church is experiencing the unprecedented blessing of God. To God we give praise for over 50 years of ministry, over 50 years of blessing, salvations, preaching, tears, trials, struggles, and praise. All of these and more make up the rich tapestry of the history of Faith Baptist Church.
1958
-First official service at Legion Hall with 75 in attendance (March 30)
-Owen Bowling called to be first pastor (June 29)
1959
-Moved to Avon Community room of bank (March 4)
-Purchased current church lots for $3,000 (March 7)
-Ground breaking for new building (August 17)
1960
-Tom Berry called as Pastor (April)
-First services held in new building (Easter)
1961
-Ended year with 181 members
1965
-Added second story fellowship hall
1968
-Present auditorium constructed
1970
-Attendance averaged 450
-Bus Ministry has 6 routes averaging 175
-Helped rescue Belleville Baptist Temple
-Help establish Immanuel Baptist Church in Lafayette, Indiana
1971
-Saw 512 souls saved
-Robert Norton called as Pastor
1972
-Highest attendance record of 852 for Pastor Norton's 1st Anniversary
1974
-Sunday School attendance averaged 400
-Robert White called as Pastor
1975
-Larry Lilly called as Pastor
1977
-Christian Academy acquired and grades 7 - 12 added
1980-1988
-Emphasis of church shifts from outreach to attracting the affluent with concerts, gospel sings, and nationally recognized speakers
1989
-Church informed of mismanagement of fundraising program and enters chapter 11 bankruptcy to pay back all creditors.
1990
-Randall Hooper called as Pastor
1992
-James Kilgore called as Pastor
1994
-James Wigton called as Pastor
-Attendance averaged 232
1998
-Marc Monte called as Pastor (February)
-Attendance averaged 163
-Reestablished the bus ministry
-Reestablished church-wide visitation
-Adopted the slogan "Avon's Home of the Old-Time Religion"
2000
-Victory Sunday - paid off $1.7 million debt incurred in 1989
2001
-Remodeled the church building
2004
-Attendance averaged 333
2007
-Hosted first annual Regional Bus & Soul-Winning Conference
-Attendance averaged 526
2008
-Record attendance under Pastor Monte of 727