OUR STORY
OUR PRESENT
The Lord has been good to us at Grace Baptist over the last 5 years. We’ve seen growth in our leadership, membership, and in our ability to serve our community. Serving those who call West Asheville home is our mission and has been since our inception in 1947. Learn more about our history by reading below.
OUR PAST
The church has been served by six pastors over the course of its history. Rev. C. D. Bessinger the founding pastor resigned in November, 1958. Rev. C. R. Pierce served as pastor for nearly 28 years from August, 1959 until his retirement on April, 1987. After his retirement, the church called Dr. J. Derrill Smith who served from November, 1988 until September, 2001. In November of 2003, the church then called Dr. Wayne Adkisson who retired in 2009. Nathan Pruett served as pastor from 2012-2016.
In June 2018, our church called Dr. Branton Burleson as Lead Pastor. Branton continues to lead our growing church today along with 4 other pastors who shepherd our flock and preach the gospel week after week.
The first service of Grace Baptist West Asheville was held on Sunday, October 26, 1947, at 3:30 p.m. at Anders-Rice Funeral Home, 521 Haywood Road for the purpose of organizing a new Missionary Baptist Church in West Asheville. Rev. Colonel D. Bessinger was called as pastor. The door of the new church was opened, and at the close of the meeting the membership numbered 222 persons.
The Masonic Hall on Hanover Street was used as a meeting place from November 2 through December 14, 1947. During this time, the church purchased a residence formerly used as Gardner’s Hospital at 718 Haywood Road. The first worship service was held in this building on December 21, 1947.
A three-story brick building built adjacent to the original building was first used on March 6, 1949. In August, 1954, the old building was razed and replaced with a second building occupied on March 6, 1955. An educational building was completed in September of 1962.
This is what consists of our current facilities on Haywood Rd in W. Asheville.
