The
Henrietta Regular Baptist Church was started due to the
desire of several families who lived in Henrietta, but
attended Faith Baptist Church in North Chili, to have
a separated, fundamental, Bible believing church in the
area. They contacted FBHM (Fellowship of Baptists for
Home Missions) and requested their help. Thus, under
the auspices of Faith Baptist Church, Fred Henzler being
the pastor at that time, our Church was born.
Gary Newhart and his wife, Nancy, then missionaries with
FBHM, began weekly Bible studies in October 1972, which
were held in the homes of these families. The name Henrietta
Regular Baptist was chosen by the group; the word Regular
was included to reflect our separatist position against
liberalism.
The first Sunday service was held in the Xerox Cafeteria,
on Jefferson Road, on January 7, 1973. Shortly thereafter,
they rented an old YMCA building on the corner of Lehigh
Station and East Henrietta Roads.
On April 18, 1973, the fellowship accepted its new Constitution
and officially declared itself to be a church. There
were twenty-one charter members, representing seven families.
The Church was legally incorporated as of September 6,
1973. Our founding pastor, Gary Newhart, and his wife,
Nancy, are now the only ones from these original families
who are still members of the Church today.
In May 1973, the Church purchased 3.4 acres of land at
1125 Calkins Road. By faith, in September 1973, we broke
ground for the first part of our present building; it
was approximately 36’ x 50’. Although it
was not completely finished inside, the first service
was held in the new building in February 1974. (The YMCA
burned down shortly afterward. Praise the Lord for His
timing!)
Construction began in October 1975 on the second phase
of our building program, to complete the present facilities.
Sunday school classes were held in the new addition in
February 1976, when the basement was finished. Even though
the new auditorium was not yet finished, our first baptismal
service was held on July 4, 1976. The first services
were held in this auditorium in September 1976, and a
dedication service was held in October.
On February 8, 1976, Gary Newhart left his mission status
and was confirmed to remain as our pastor. On May 16,
1976, we graduated from mission status to self-support
status.
In September 1977, our Church school ministry began with
fifteen students, using the ACE (Accelerated Christian
Education) system. Our Church logo was drawn by one of
the School’s first graduates, Stephen Brooks.
In July 1982, Roger Huff, one of our members at that
time, became an associate pastor, with an emphasis in
education. However, due to financial pressures the position
was terminated in April 1985.
In May 1988, we became a unique Baptist church, when,
after much prayer and Bible study, the Church adopted
a Resolution on the Biblical Offices of Elder and Deacon
to bring about more conformity to Scripture in these
areas. This allowed for a plurality of elders/pastors
and redefined the role of a deacon as a spiritual person
chosen to care for specific physical needs of the body.
To move toward this goal, in April 1990, Pastor Newhart
presented two men from our midst to serve alongside him
as elders. Terry Gibson and Everett Brooks were both
so confirmed upon completion of a personal doctrinal
statement. Pastor Newhart remained in the role of pastor/teacher,
with the oversight of Shepherding; the other men assumed
responsibility for Education and Outreach Ministries,
respectively.
In December of that year, we approved an official Mission
Statement for HRBC. Included in the statement are four
points that outline our responsibility as a Church and
as individual believers, i.e., to glorify God in every
area of our life. Each family of the membership was given
a framed copy of the statement; this practice has continued
for each new family who joins our fellowship.
On January 6, 1991, we had a Celebration of Praise service
to memorialize reaching a milestone in our life as a
Church; our mortgage of fifteen years was completed!
A special mortgage burning ceremony was included. It
was also the eighteenth anniversary of our first Sunday
service, and many of our former members either attended
or sent their congratulations.
In November 1994, in response to God’s working
in his life, Terry Gibson left his position here to become
Pastor of Portville Baptist Church, in Portville, NY.
Then, in May 1995, David Slattery, one of our own young
people, became Minister of Youth after graduating from
Tennessee Temple University. In July 1997, he became
Administrative Assistant to Pastor Newhart, and in September
2000, assumed responsibilities as principal of the Church’s
school ministry.
In May 1997, an alumni homecoming weekend was held to
celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Church’s
school ministry. Each of the 46 graduates to date, as
well as all former staff, were invited to attend the
activities, and some came from long distances to do so.
In January 1998, we began a yearlong celebration to commemorate
our 25th anniversary as a New Testament local church,
with favorite speakers and special events. On the first
Sunday in January, a memory quilt was given to the Newharts
in honor of their 25 years of faithful service to HRBC.
The year culminated in November with a Thanksgiving homecoming
weekend for all past and present members and friends;
many communicated their best wishes.
In February 1999, we initiated the first of several rather
extensive interior building renovation projects, each
being funded by special offerings and completed as funds
became available. In a three-phase energy efficient window
replacement project, every window in the present building
was replaced. The final windows were changed in conjunction
with entirely redoing both downstairs bathrooms, which
began in February 2001.
In February 2000, Pastor Newhart became Director of
IGM (Independent Gospel Missions), now based in Rochester,
NY. After almost a year in this capacity, in January
2001, he resigned the position of being our pastor-teacher
to focus his full attention on this responsibility,
effective March 18, 2001. A special dinner and program
were held that weekend; a memory book was presented
and a monetary gift was given, as a tribute to their
28 years of ministry here. Truly, this was the end
of an era in the life of HRBC, since Pastor Newhart
had been our only Shepherding pastor until that time!
Also, in February 2000, the Church bought the property
on the east side of our driveway, at 1135 Calkins Road.
Although initially used occasionally for temporary
missionary housing, IGM began using the house as its
international headquarters’ administrative office
in September 2001, by mutual acceptance.
In June 2000, we joined with area churches in an attempt
to put the Jesus video into every home in Monroe County.
Our part of the project was to distribute to and then
do follow up on the 385 homes from selected streets
in our Jerusalem for which we purchased videos.
In February 2001, we formed a Pastoral Search Committee
led by Pastor Brooks, and began the process of choosing
another Shepherding Pastor after the resignation of
Pastor Newhart. During the transition, the late Pastor
Joseph Stratford was chosen as an interim pastor for
three months beginning in May 2001.
Also, in May 2001, our neighbor donated approximately
one acre of his adjoining property to the Church for
satisfaction of certain specified conditions. It runs
parallel (north and south) along our east side to the
same depth, and is approximately 90-100 feet across;
it has been dubbed ‘the orchard’.
On September 23, 2001, Pastor James Saunders (with
his wife, Janet) began ministry as our new Shepherding
pastor, bringing renewed vision and enthusiasm to HRBC.
An official installation service was held on October
28, 2001. Many area churches were invited to this history-changing
event, and two special speakers presented Biblical
challenges, one to Pastor Saunders, and the other,
to the congregation.
In April 2002, we launched the next step of our interior
building renovation projects by revitalizing the entire
upstairs with new paint and carpet, and redecorating
the auditorium, substituting the dated pews with padded,
locking, stackable chairs, plus extending the platform
and rewiring the sound system. At this same time, a
unisex bathroom with handicap access was added in the
current fellowship room and plans were accepted to
remodel its kitchen area, as well.
In August 2002, we expanded the building renovation
project to the downstairs and outside of the building
by replacing all existing downstairs carpeting and
light fixtures, and installing all new soffits and
gutters on the building.
As we continue to grow in the Lord, we are attempting
to fulfill the Great Commission given by Christ in
Matthew 28:19, 20. We have given out Gospel literature
to every home in Henrietta two and a half times; the
first time was in September 1976, and the last, in
October 1997. Evangelism Explosion was begun in August
1991 as another avenue in reaching our community for
Christ. To date, twelve of our members have completed
all training requirements for this program.
We started a Fair Ministry in August 1984, in which
we had a booth at the Monroe County Fair to give out
tracts and free Bible study lessons; however, this
outlet was discontinued after the 2001 Fair. In September
2002, we initiated Prospecting for Christ (Frangelism)
as yet another dimension in our attempt to fulfill
the Great Commission. In this program, members’ selected
friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors are visited
with the purpose of introducing them to Christ, then
discipling them in His Word.
It is also a real joy to report that four families
who went into full time missionary work while part
of our membership, remain in that role, and another
is on deputation at this time; all are involved with
foreign missions. Several others have since become
involved in missions or the pastorate as well.
The Lord remains faithful by placing people into the
body as it pleases Him. Let’s remember the words
of Galatians 6:9, "And let us not be weary in
well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we
faint not." To God be the glory for the great
things He has done!
Updated in March 2003 by Elaine Brooks;
Church Clerk from July 1975 - Present
