GREETINGS FROM OUR PASTOR
Welcome to Santa Barbara's only Independent
Baptist Church, founded in 1967 by Pastor
and Sandy Mitchell. Grace Baptist Church
first met at 326 West Sola Street in the
Stroller's Hall. The following year, the
church rented the former Emmanuel Lutheran
Church at 430 East Figueroa Street. In 1969,
the church purchased the Trinity Lutheran
Church building at 2035 Bath Street and worshipped
there until a decision was made to move to
the Goleta area. The building was sold in
1987 to the Cornerstone Church.
The congregation met at the Santa Barbara
Christian School while looking for a suitable
site to build a new church facility. Our
building program was set aside in 1990 when
Grace Baptist Church and Temple Baptist Church
merged to form Faith Baptist Church. The
two congregations worshipped together until
1993 when the decision was made to re-establish
Grace Baptist Church.
We feel the Lord has richly blessed our desire
to re-establish our church. He made it possible
for our congregation to purchase our present
facility from Family Life Fellowship (formerly
Hope Evangelical Free Church) in July, 1994.
Through the grace and provision of a wonderful
and loving Lord, we were able to purchase
and renovate the building completely debt-free.
Today, God continues to bless Grace Baptist
Church and her congregation. Souls are being
saved, lives are being touched and, through
the faithfulness of the congregation and
the support of many missionaries, the gospel
of Christ is being spread here in Santa Barbara
and throughout the world.
Dr. E. R. Mitchell, Pastor
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!
Psalm 48:1
Pastor Mitchell in action
in the Baptistry of Grace Baptist Church: