Our History

Fellowship Bible Church
of Philadelphia

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Our History

       In 1963, a small group of believers from Burholme Baptist Church began a prayer meeting in the home of Dale and Lucretia Heim. Shortly after the prayer group was organized, this small group of believers began sharing the Italian Christian Church of Tacony for their Sunday afternoon worship services. Two years later,1965, Fellowship Baptist Church was formally organized. John Greening, who was meeting with this group of believers was asked to be the Pastor. At this time the church affiliated with General Association of Regular Baptist Churches (GARBC- http://www.garbc.org/) . Land was purchased in 1965 in the Somerton area of Philadelphia and the church building was completed in 1966.

     Pastor Greening resigned as Pastor in 1971, and Bob Boyd accepted the invitation to be interim Pastor. At this time, the church decided to terminate its affiliation with the GARBC.

        Pastor Orr became Fellowship Baptist Church’s Pastor in 1974 and resigned four years later in 1978. Pastor Blair Hills agreed to become the Pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church that same year, 1978. During Pastor Hill’s ministry , the church experienced a large increase in membership and capacity attendance at the morning service. The church increased its size by five classrooms and one office. During that time the church staff included the Pastor, assistant Pastor and youth director. Pastor Hills resigned in 1984.

        Pastor Joseph Longo became Pastor in 1984 and remained our Pastor through 1995, at which time he resigned and went back to being a business manager.

     Frank Manno accepted the position of Pastor in 1995. Pastor Manno established a contemporary style of worship and hired Jason Heim to take the responsibility of the worship team and the youth group. Under Pastor Manno’s ministry the church joined the Evangelical Free Church Association (EFCA- http://www.efca.org/) .

April of 1999 Pastor Manno resigned to join a church planting team with EFCA in Spring Valley, Colorado. Under Pastor Manno’s ministry a coffee house was begun to encourage un-churched people to experience Christian entertainment and introduce them to our church.

   James Michael Jarrell accepted the position of Senior Pastor in December 2000. His ministry continues. Youth Pastor Jason Heim resigned in the fall of 2005. January 2006 Pastors Robert Turchi -Youth, and David Poteat -Christian Education Ministries were called to minister at FBC. Their ministry continues.

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