First Bible Baptist Church plans new facility

A sign stating "Future Home of First Bible Baptist Church" will be unveiled at 990 Manitou Road this coming Sunday, January 2 at 3 p.m. in a brief dedication ceremony. First Bible Baptist Church has acquired 96 acres of property on Manitou Road in the Town of Greece for construction of its new facility.

September 26 was "Commitment Sunday." Church members and friends pledged to give $4 million over the next three years. Closing on the property occurred on November 30 with a cash payment for the land as a result of gifts from church members.

Concept plans will be presented to the Greece Planning Board on January 19. "It is exciting to be able to start all over with an entirely new facility," says Senior Pastor George Grace. "We will be building a new First Bible Baptist Church - one for the 21st century!"

Initially, the church planned to build on its current site at 1039 North Greece Road, where it has existed since 1968. Research soon showed, however, that it would not be possible to provide all the needs for future ministry at the church's present location. A search for suitable property began in 2003. The 990 Manitou Road property is near the church's Grace & Truth SportsPark at 373 North Greece Road.