The Odessa Baptist Church building has resided at 200 Maple Avenue in the village of Odessa since 1856. Much worship, ministry, and fellowship has occurred in that building during the 161 years that it was there. As well, during that time many renovations and additions were made to the building as is evidenced by the varying construction, electrical, and plumbing materials that are to be found in different parts of the building. All of these variations brought increasing difficulty to new building projects and renovations. In 2005, the Church established a Facilities Committee to look into several problems that had been identified ranging from structural to functional, even to parking, to determine what options might be available to the church. These problems were beginning to increase in cost and take up a larger percentage of the budget and the congregation was looking to reduce those costs and redirect resources back into ministries.

 

That was the first of what would eventually be three different committees over twelve years, tasked with the job of helping the congregation find solutions to our facilities problems. During that time the church attempted to purchase the property next to the church building to gain more space to work with. That purchase offer was rejected. We hired an architectural firm to provide us with plans for extensive renovations to combine the two buildings that we owned. In that effort we found the cost to be too high and the plans left some of the concerns unresolved. Finally the congregation decided to consider constructing a new building altogether and the first step in that process was to see if it was possible to purchase any property. In 2011 the church was able to purchase 4.33 acres of a corn field at the edge of the village limits. That property is now called 111 Fowler Place and will be the future home for the Odessa Baptist church.

 

Between the years 2013 and 2015 plans and proposals were made and construction options were explored. Then finally in 2015 the decision was made to sell the church building at 200 Maple Avenue and rent space at the American Legion Hall for Sunday worship services. We officially had no place that was ours to call “home” for the church. We set about raising money to begin construction of our new church building. We were determined not to go into debt for this building. Everyone participated and did what they could till finally the money we needed to begin was in hand. In June of 2017 we broke ground and construction is under way. Today, if you drive by 111 Fowler Place, you will see the beginnings of a new church building going up. It is our hope to have the shell of the building completed with water, electric, and sewer hooked up by the fall. We will then be able to work in the building over the winter with the goal of moving in in 2018.

 

This has been a very long and often difficult process for the Odessa Baptist Church but rewarding at the same time. As God’s people, we seek to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and direction for the church and when we look back through this process, God’s hand becomes more evident. Doors were closed along the way and doors were opened, we prayed together and on our own, we disagreed, we discussed, we agreed, we voted, we moved forward. I believe that God has been intentionally moving us to where we are today because all has been accomplished would have seemed impossible back in 2005 when we formed our first “Facilities Committee”. I can’t wait to see what God has in mind for the Odessa Baptist Church with this new building. Already the ideas and possibilities for ministries and community involvement that are coming from people in the church are exciting. God is good and he has a plan for the building of his kingdom here in Odessa. It is exciting to think that we will be a part of it.

 

We would be happy to show you the plans for this building and talk about the plans we have for ministry in this building and on this property. Give a call or stop in. We’d love to see you.