History

In the year 1953, a group of people came together from First Baptist Church of Wenatchee, to form, what was at that time, a church called Bible Baptist Church.

On January 31st, 1954, the people gathered together at the local YMCA, at 2:30pm. They, then held a baptismal service in the YMCA pool, after which Bro. Carl Hills, read a passage of Scripture from Acts 20:17-38.

“And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. …. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified…. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive…."

Following their service, the church then adopted their Constitution and Statement of Faith, elected their church officials, and called Bro. Carl Hills to be their first pastor, as they signed the charter, which can still be found in our church foyer today.

In 1957, Bro. Hills stepped down as pastor, which led to the church calling Bro. Jeff Duckett as their second pastor, on May 15th of that year. Under Pastor Duckett the property for the church was purchased and construction of the Sunday Schools downstairs was commenced. Initially seven plots of the Taplett property were purchased, then later two adjacent plots to the north on Cashmere Street. During those early days the church met in the YMCA building and when the weather was nice they would meet on the property. By 1959, the auditorium and the old portion of the building was completed along with the parsonage on the property. Then On August 5, 1959, the Whatleys were supported for $5.00 a month, as missionaries to Peru, and the first missionaries supported by the church.

March 26, 1961, brought Bro. Lynn Pace as the third pastor of the church.

Then, in February 1966, Bro. Mark Leuthold accepted the call as the fourth pastor. Under his leadership, prison services were led by the church every fourth Sunday. He, then, was responsible for the construction and dedication of our current auditorium building in February of 1970, which was downsized a year or two later to make room for a foyer, church office, and pastor’s study.

A few years later, in February 1972, Bro. Steven Zeinner, who, at that time, was a missionary to Mexico, helped move Bro. Ken Fraley from Ohio to Wenatchee, WA, so he could answer the call to become the fifth pastor. Three weeks later, the members of the church voted to change their name from Bible Baptist Church to Lincoln Park Baptist Church. While pastor, Bro. Fraley had purchased a home in Wenatchee instead of living in the parsonage. He, however, had to resign in October 1977, for family reasons, and the church voted to purchase his house to turn into a permanent parsonage. Thus, turning the old parsonage into what is now known as the annex or mission guest house.

The next Sunday, in November 1977, the church voted to call Bro. Byron Ling to be the sixth pastor, to which he answered the call.

At his resignation in May 1981, Bro. Dennis Lippert became the seventh pastor, and under his leadership, the church began a Christian school in the Old Auditorium, That is where they lowered the ceiling to conserve heat better, and discussed the possibility of adding a kitchen and restroom facility upstairs. Bro. Lippert resigned as pastor in December 1985.

in April 1986, the church called Bro. Stephen Hicks to be their eighth pastor. In the 1990s, Pastor Hicks began services at the hospitality house, and two assisted living facilities, until his resignation in 2007.

In July 2008, Bro. Brian Ernsburger became the ninth, and most recent pastor. Under his leadership, between 2012 and 2015, the desire that was first mentioned, nearly 30 years previously, for a kitchen in the fellowship hall and restroom upstairs, was finally reaffirmed. Along with money that had been set aside, the church sold the northernmost lot that had been purchased decades before to fund the project. Then, in 2020, Bro. Ernsburger resigned from his position as pastor of Lincoln Park Baptist Church.

This left the church, and people as a “sad, but not forsaken remnant, waiting to see what God already knew He had in store for [them]…. Week after week able men came to fill the pulpit. God’s word fell as the “small rain upon the tender herb” as they brought messages of encouragement, comfort, and strength. They, and their wives, became new friends, cheering the hearts of the people in the church.

Both of the deacons were struggling with health problems at the same time; but God blessed and provided, as they were connected with Bro. Daniel Pierce, who came to visit in April 2021, and on July 3rd of the same year, Jacob Harder flew to Virginia, to load up a Penske truck, drive across country, and arrive in Wenatchee on July 10th, where Bro. Pierce answered the call on July 11th as the tenth and current pastor of Lincoln Park Baptist Church.

On that historic day in 1954, One hundred-twenty five people signed that charter, that day, as they took a step of faith, believing in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and relying upon the continued guidance and the blessing of the triune God, committing themselves as a New Testament Baptist Church to administer His ordinances, advance His worship, encourage Christian fellowship, and to be governed by His Will, as revealed in the New Testament. Those people, at that time, did not understand the ups and downs, twists, and turns, highs and lows, that this church would face, but God has still preserved our church, to fulfill the same purpose. A lot has changed over the years, however, we serve a God who has not, and never will change. He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever, and upon His rock, He has built His church, and the gates of hell cannot prevail againt it. That’s why we are trusting God to help us continue - To Grow by the Word of God, share the gospel with others, reach out in our community, pray fervently for visitors, remain faithful week after week when there seems to be no results, know each other, build and strengthen our relationships, and look forward to all God will continue to do.

We don’t believe God is done with Lincoln Park Baptist Church yet, and If God tarries and continues to carry us, then praise God from whom all blessings flow, May we be thankful every day, for what he has done, for the multitudes of people he has allowed us to reach, and for the ways he has used this church to work in our hearts and lives as individuals, and as a body of believers.