History and Ministries

Looking Back and Moving Forward

Conrad Memorial Baptist Church was founded in May 1946 and named in honor of Dr. A. B. Conrad who directed its organization. Originally established on Eastchester Drive, the church was relocated to the present site in 1978. Its structure was designed to accommodate approximately 300 people in the educational and worship services. Fellowship among members and visitors is enhanced by the C. A. Brown Fellowship Hall with a capacity of approximately 200 people and featuring a commercial kitchen as well as a large fireplace.

The congregation is actively involved in providing activities for all age groups through its Sunday school, Young-in-Heart and youth groups. Conrad Memorial Baptist Church enjoys a reputation of being a friendly, caring church. Members believe this is because we have always recognized God’s blessing to us and our responsibility to share those blessings with others.

Community service activities include preparing meals for the Open Door Ministries Men’s Shelter, sewing comfort pillows for patients in local hospitals and cancer units, and knitting/crocheting prayer shawls. Conrad sponsors children’s activities such as Trunk-or-Treat and Easter egg hunts. Our newest program, Blue Line Blessing, serves meals for 2nd and 3rd shift police officers and related personnel.

Ministries

Reaching out to … the children

Locally:

Hosting a trunk-or-treat on the church property provides a safe place for the community’s children to enjoy the tradition of Halloween. As families visit each decorated trunk while sipping hot chocolate and munching on a cupcake, our members have the opportunity to get to know our neighbors and invite them to worship with us and serve Christ where we live.

Globally:

Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoebox ministry is a year-long project for Conrad. We collect selected items each month and have a shoebox packing party and ingathering in November. Sending shoeboxes with toys, hygiene items and school supplies to needy children also provides an opportunity to share Christ around the world. A child’s joy at seeing a shoebox full of gifts opens the door to the lifelong joy of a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Reaching out to … the homeless

For over 20 years, Conrad has prepared meals for the Open Door Ministries Men’s Shelter, now located just down the road from us on Centennial Street. Each month that has a 5^th Saturday – 4 or 5 times a year – three groups participate: a mother/daughter team purchase the groceries, a group of friends cook the meal in our church kitchen, and various groups from Sunday School classes to our deacons take turns serving the meal. It has been a privilege to serve various groups at the shelter over the years – families with small children, teenagers, adults of all ages – but our goal for each person has remained constant. We aim to serve a hot meal accompanied by a smile in the name of Jesus. We try to prepare enough food so that no one leaves hungry, and we leave blessed.

Reaching out to … the sick

Started in memory of a beloved member whom we lost to cancer in 2015, Conrad ladies sew bone pillows that are shared with hospitalized patients, nursing home residents, shut-ins, or to anyone experiencing illness to help make them more comfortable. The scripture verse attached to each pillow reminds patients and their families that we care and are praying for them.

Reaching out to … the hurting

Church members and friends gather in the church parlor once a month, as well as work at home, to crochet and/or knit special shawls. These are presented to friends, family and those in the community who need encouragement during illness or the death of a loved one. Recipients also include participants in the Pierced Ministries drug rehabilitation program and even our HPU students during exams. As they work, those making the shawls pray for the people who will receive them. The shawls also are dedicated in prayer by the entire congregation during a worship service before being given to the recipients. Anyone interested in participating in this ministry is welcome. If you do not crochet or knit, someone will teach you.