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Our history

26 adults and 7 children met at the Lane Avenue Movie Theatre for the first service of the Mountview Baptist Church on October 9, 1955. Ironically, the movie playing at the theatre was Humphrey Bogart in We’re No Angels. Seventeen of those who attended that day became our charter members. The new church was organized by the First Baptist Church of downtown Columbus and the Columbus City Mission Society. It was under the temporary leadership of Pastor Howard Moody, Director of the Baptist Disciples Student Center at Ohio State University. Eight months later, on June 14, 1956 services were moved to the Tremont School. On July 1, 1956 we hired our first full time minister, Pastor Bennett Owens.

Four acres of land on Mountview Rd. in Upper Arlington had been purchased for $44,000 and ground was broken for our first building on May 12, 1956. The first service in the $106,000 chapel was held on May 18, 1958. We were just beginning, though. Next came the education building, which opened on September 15, 1963. Ground was broken for our sanctuary—which was designed by Holroyd & Meyers—in November of 1968. The first service was held on December 7, 1969 and it was dedicated in an elaborate ceremony on January 1, 1970.

Pastor Bennett served the church for five years. In January of 1962, Pastor Frank Brosend began his 15 year ministry at Mountview. He was followed by Pastor Conrad Lowe. In 1980, Pastor William Oldham came to us and served until his retirement in 1989. During his tenure, Mountview sponsored the organization of yet another American Baptist Church in Northwest Columbus on Sawmill Road. December 1989 brought us Pastor Ken Whitt. A month later Mountview’s mortgage was burned on January 28, 1990. Rev. Dr. Carl Brown who had been Associate Minister since 1992 served as Interim Pastor for a year. Pastor Craig Hayes was our minister from November 1996 until January 2001. Our current minister, Pastor Kevin A. Snyder, first came to us in 1998 as the Youth Minister. He was ordained at Mountview and became our Senior Minister 1 August 2002.

We have just completed the renovation of our sanctuary. The updated facility will allow for more flexibility and comfort. Our regular schedule boasts two services, The traditional service is at 9am and the contemporary service is at 11:15am Sunday school, for both children and adults, is held between the services. We hope to grow not only in numbers but in faith. We wish to retain the reputation of a warm, friendly and caring congregation, that worships together to support the body of Christ and the work of our church, locally, nationally and internationally.