Christians meeting in private Brandon-area homes for prayer and fellowship marked the beginning of what is now the growing church family that is Meadow Grove Baptist Church. Those informal gatherings soon gave way to more organized services in a vacant store near the railroad tracks on North College Street. Value Mission was born -- 34 Christians banding together in one fellowship on April 30, 1950.

 

The church outgrew the confines of the old store and moved a short distance across the tracks to a larger building. In 1961 the church was renamed Second Baptist Church, and three years later the congregation voted to relocate to the Meadow Grove subdivision being developed in Southeast Brandon.

 

Construction of a new building on land purchased in the subdivision began and with a new home came a new name -- Meadow Grove Baptist Church. The first service, attended by area Baptist leaders and many charter members, was held on March 7, 1965.

 

A decade later, a new sanctuary was constructed adjacent to the original building. The old sanctuary was renovated to house the Sunday School. As more Christians joined the fellowship, the church began yet another building program in 1980. A  year later, a new education-fellowship wing was added.

 

In 1993, an architect from the Sunday School Board recommended the church relocate  because the existing three-acre facility would limit membership to about 300.  Led by the vision of some senior adults in the congregation, the church purchased 18 acres on Mississippi Highway 18 (now Louis Wilson Drive) for  $54,000 in anticipation of a future move.

 

After going to two worship services and maxing out the parking and Sunday School space, the church developed plans for a much larger church complex. Church members gave above their tithes to raise a million dollars to pay toward a 2.5 million, 29,000 square foot facility.

 

A dedication service was held at the new property in the summer of 2003. The first service was held in what is now Meadow Grove Baptist Church in November, 2004.

 

The church family was unified in the move, and the new location is a demonstration of the power of God at work in His people. The members of Meadow Grove Baptist Church look forward to a bright future and desire to be faithful followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

You are invited to be a part of our future.

 

Written by Ron Harrist and Steve Wilson