Bro. Gary Williams and his wife Glenda knew the Lord was calling them to start a church. In January of 1971, after much prayer and consideration, they moved their family to St. Joseph with a vision to see a Bible believing work established.
February 5, 1971 a group of college students came to help canvass the area. There were 78 people saved on visitation that day and the following Sunday 4 visitors came to service as a result of the visits. Pastor Williams spoke out of Psalm 108. The title of his message was, “My Heart is Fixed.” Seven months later, on August 20, 1971, Bible Baptist Temple was officially chartered.
The Lord has blessed abundantly through the years. In 1972, the previous property was purchased, and a tent was used for the services for months while construction began on the basement. In 1976, the church held its first service in the previous auditorium. Later that year the Lord allowed Baptist Temple Schools to be established.
The church continued to grow. In 1989, a multi-purpose building was added to the property. What was once just a vision in a young Pastor’s heart, was unfolding before the congregation’s eyes. All who witnessed could truly say, To God be the Glory! In January of 2008, after much prayer and preparation, Pastor Gary Williams passed the torch to Bill G. Marshall. Since that time, Pastor Marshall has continued to lead the church in the direction it has always gone.
In May of 2011, Bible Baptist Temple voted to sell the previous property and buy our current building across town. With the purchase of the new property, we look forward to reaching more for Christ and being an even brighter light to the community. In January 2018, the church family voted to change the name of Bible Baptist Temple to Riverside Baptist Church. As we celebrate the past 40+ years, let’s look ahead to what the Lord has for us. The message of this Church has not changed; we still believe Jesus Saves! We plan on having Church, the way it should be.
