The first service of Grace Baptist Church 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. An offering of $690.00 was received.
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.
The church has been served by three pastors and two interim pastors.
After Rev.C. D. Bessinger's resignation in November, 1958, Dr. Morris
Ashcraft served as interim pastor from January to July 1959.
Rev. C. R. Pierce served as pastor from August 16, 1959 until his
retirement on April 19, 1987. After his retirement Rev. E. S. Morgan was
interim pastor from April 20, 1987 until October 31, 1988. Dr. J. Derrill
Smith served from November 6, 1988 until September 30, 2001. Rev. Richard Baird has served as interim minister
until the church called Dr. Wayne Adkisson in November of 2003.
Grace Baptist Church has always been noted for the excellence of its'
music. This ministry was led by Mrs. Blanche Starnes from the inception of
the church until her retirement on December 31,1979. In recognition of the
great heritage she had given the church through music she was elected
Minister of Music Emeritus on September16,1990.
Persons called from the church into full-time vocational service
include ten pastors, nine ministers of music, one minister of education,
two foreign missionaries, one associational staff member, and several
persons in other Christian ministries.