GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH
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A part of Norfolk since 1950

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Groundbreaking with Rev. Taylor, and early members
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Rev. John Taylor and Wife, 1950 - 1957
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Pastor Loren T. Swartz, 1957 - 1967
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Pastor Paul Donald Karnes and Wife, 1967 - 2003
It all began in 1950
Grace Baptist Church was founded in 1950, by Rev. John S. Taylor.  The church met in homes until it began meeting in a store front on Sewells Point Road.  They were able to purchase that property and built their building in 1962 and completed a second wing in 1977.

​During the early years of Grace Baptist Church, missionary to China, Weldon Smith, affiliated himself with Grace Baptist Church when home on furlough.  He authored the autobiographical book, “Born to Be A Missionary” that the church still has some copies of that are sought after occasionally.
1957 to 1967
Pastor Taylor pastored the church until 1957, when Pastor Loren T. Swartz was called to lead the church.  He pastored the church for 10 years before leaving for ministries in Pennsylvania.
1967 to 2003
Pastor Paul Donald Karnes was called in September of 1967 to lead the church and continued to pastor until the spring of 2003.  During the leadership of Pastor Karnes, Grace Baptist Church paid off the building debt, finished the building program in 1977, started a bus ministry, founded Grace Baptist School with grades K4-8; and began the AWANA outreach to children.

​Health issues led to the retirement of Pastor Paul D. Karnes and he became pastor emeritus when his son, Donald E. Karnes, was voted to become the next pastor of Grace Baptist Church.  Pastor Paul D. Karnes went to be with the Lord in February 2011.

2003 through Eternity
We pray that the ongoing work of Grace Baptist Church will continue for years to come.
Our current Pastorship
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  • About GBC
    • Visiting
    • Our Beliefs
    • Our Pastorship
    • Our Norfolk Heritage
  • Missions
    • Salvation
  • Livestream
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Online Giving