Church History

Whipple Avenue Baptist Church continues on the foundation that prompted its inception; the need for a solid, separated, spiritual church in Canton, Ohio. The nucleus was a group of eight believers that began meeting in the spring of 1946 under the direction of Rev. Mark Mitchell. The offering at the first meeting was $2.41. For a time, services also known as Calvary Bible Class were held in a house located on Bedford Avenue and at the Recreation Building of the Don Mellett housing project. Three months after the first meeting, two lots were purchased from Mr. Presley Campbell at the corner of Whipple Avenue and Second Street using a $1,000.00 gift from Christian friends in Cambridge, Ohio, for the down payment. Incorporated as a non-profit organization in September 1946, Calvary Baptist Church held services in a large tent on the Whipple Avenue side of their property until a storm demolished the tent. Despite the tent being damaged, the group continued to meet where they could and one Sunday morning a total of 32 people gave $1,000.00 to buy an old church building in Millersburg, Ohio. Due to the war, construction materials were hard to get in 1948 and the Lord provided this opportunity that the work might continue. Piece by piece the men of the congregation, under the direction of contractor Bruce Whitmyer, dismantled the building and moved it to the property on Whipple Ave, adding new materials where needed. The building was dedicated in November of 1948. With the work established, the Lord called the Mitchell's to a new field.

Rev. Charles W. McKinney came as pastor in 1953. Rev. McKinney's great love for study was evidenced in his teaching ministry. Joy Club was held after school at the church during this period and children were transported from all areas of Canton to attend. A parsonage was built in 1957 directly behind the church facing Second Street. In 1958 the McKinney's were called to serve in another field.

It wasn't until 1959 that Rev. Edward C. Helmick was called to be pastor. During the ten years of his pastorate the church carried a radio program over WTOF, purchased it's first bus, started a choir, church library and received its first organ as a gift from philanthropist Claude Foster. In January 1962 the name was changed from "Calvary Baptist Church" to "Whipple Avenue Baptist Church" for better identification. The church experienced further expansion of its physical plant as well. In 1964 an addition was constructed perpendicular to the original building to accommodate a new sanctuary and basement Sunday School complex. Rev. Robert T. Ketcham spoke for the June 1965 dedication service. A new Hammond organ was purchased as a memorial to Dr. Yu Ying Huang. Many of the niceties, such as the organ, carpeting and pews were purchased through special sacrificial giving of the members.

Coming in 1969, Rev. William F. Russell fostered steady membership and organizational growth. A 1960 International bus was purchased in 1970 to replace the faithful but faltering first bus. Further property improvement was accomplished in 1972 with the blacktopping of the parking lot areas. In July of 1973 the church celebrated its Silver Anniversary.

In March of 1974 Rev. John L. Moosey was called to serve as pastor. Throughout his pastorate and to the present, the church has seen many changes. In the fall of 1976 the church joined the Awana Youth Program. A major improvement was undertaken in 1981 with the renovation of the Fellowship Hall. Maintaining the original arched window design on the exterior of the original sanctuary, the small-paned windows were replaced with large single panes. The original foyer and coat closet area became a new kitchen and the interior of the Fellowship Hall was decorated for acoustical improvement as well as beauty and utility.

After being a member of the Awana Program for 18 years, the church made the decision to switch to the Pioneers Program. Two years later, in 1996 the church then became a charter member of the Joy Club Program and holds its membership to the present.

Improvements to the property in the past several years include new carpeting and paint in the basement hallway and the Sunday School classrooms, new furnaces, air conditioning, hymnals and audio/video equipment. The downstairs ladies room has been paneled, painted and the ceiling lowered. The pews in the sanctuary were stripped, re-varnished and re-upholstered. A new piano was donated in memory of Mr. G. Anderson's mother, Lillian Anderson. The entire church was re-roofed in 1997. In 1998 under the leadership of Pastor Moosey we observed our 50th milestone. In 2004 due to weather damage the entire church had to be re-roofed again and the church sign had to be replaced. The church building underwent further renovation in 2006 for the purpose of expanding the foyer and the upstairs restrooms. The library was moved to the basement and the entrance to the fellowship hall was moved to allow space for the new restrooms. A new floor and ceiling tiles were installed in the foyer and new carpet and drapes were installed in the sanctuary.