History

Church and community club

In the 1800's no hardships, obstacles, nor lack of a building in which to meet could deter the heartfelt need for spiritual guidance of this small settlement. Neighbors of all denominations would meet in private homes along the Jim Ned Creek near Blackwell Crossing. Circuit riders would stop by for sermons and a meal. Among them were Rev. Dan Mathews & Rev. J.M. Perry. Mathews and Perry and 19 others met on Oct. 23, 1875 and organized The First Baptist Church in Brown County. They named it The New Hope Baptist Church. Rev. Perry became its first pastor. They began meeting in a building west of the Fairview Cemetery. This building was the schoolhouse during the day and the church on Sunday. This building was destroyed by fire in 1880 destroying all records.  Mrs. James Jackson Martin gave land on the east side of Fairview Cemetery and another building was built.  This too served as a school, the church and a community center.  In 1882 the church name was changed to Fairview Baptist Church.  In 1916 Dr. Bill Lobstein the Brownwood doctor, gave some land to Fairview Baptist Church in the settlement that had a post office.  The post office master general had named the settlement Grosvenor after his friend Representative Charles H. Grosvenor of Ohio. A new building was designed by Rev. W.D. Watkins and built on this land. On March 23, 1923 the name was changed to Grosvenor Baptist Church.  This chapel that we worship in today is the original building. The annex was named the Kyzar Annex in honor of long-time members Joe & Alma Kyzar.  Mrs. Kyzar had been a teacher at Grosvenor School and the church pianist.  The Community Club holds their meetings once a month on Tuesday and hosts their social events in the Kyzar Annex. Another building, especially for our youth, was added in 2018.

Some of our members who attended the school and church back in the 1930's and 1940's are still attending our church. Namely Tom Moore and Conice Horner. They attended both school and church. Tom reflects that on Sunday someone would fry up a big chicken meal after church for family and friends. We still celebrate with a big meal once a month on Sunday and every Wednesday night. 

We have approximately 200 active and inactive members.  Our church now has a video outreach so that members will not miss a service. The Facebook account also welcomes over 200 views throughout the local, national and even international community.

In the words of a former member and missionary Professor Bransford Eubank "Grosvenor can never be what it once was nor the way we may remember the good 'ole days but we have a great church in which to worship, a good building in which to fellowship, and plenty of food and lively people . . . Grosvenor Baptist Church and the Community Club will keep Grosvenor alive."