History About Grace Church

Grace Church was founded in 1979. Having begun as a group of people whose small ministry met in a bank building, the vision grew. Through much dedication and sacrifice, obstacles were overcome, property was acquired, and a sanctuary was built. We were organized as an independent church, not affiliated with any denomination.

The church continued to grow, at times filling the aisles. A preschool was established and proved to be a thriving addition. We also had Bible study, adult and youth Sunday school, choirs, softball teams, youth outings and Women of The Church (WOC) programs. We held auctions and garage sales as fund raisers. We sponsored 10K road races. A favorite church wide activity was the annual barbeque. We were never sure if we or the drive by customers enjoyed it more. Also, music has always had an important place at Grace. The acoustics of our building are excellent and have honored the years of beautiful music performed here.

We were independent for our first 10 years. In 1989, we became a congregation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church whose motto: “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity” describes us rather well. However after 12 years, we returned to independence, and over time, our congregation slowly diminished in size.

In 2005, following his 72nd birthday, our founding pastor, Ray Barfield, and our music director and organist, Pearl Barfield, retired. By this time, the attritions of an aging church body clearly had taken their toll, and the remaining congregation realized that we were once again “a group of people in a small ministry” much as the church had begun so many years before.

The same and not the same.  This time we are a small ministry “with a sanctuary“.  We realized that we needed guidance and have aligned with Brainerd Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Chattanooga as their auxiliary.  We are in the process of finding our voice and determining how we can best serve our local community.  God is at work here, and we enjoy watching his blessings arrive even as we relish our part of the process.  Harmony and joy are in this precious place, and we look forward to meeting those who will join with us as we reconstruct our church family. Perhaps you will be one.  You will be welcome.