The Beginning of
Hillview Community Church

   During the summer and fall of 1961 a group of 47 persons representing 17 families began to meet together and withdraw from the First Baptist Church of Baldwinsville because of the forced resignation of their pastor.
A steering Committee was established consisting of Mabel Jenson, Roscoe Brown, and Pauline Clark. During this time this group of families got together for fellowship.
   On November 5, 1961 they met together for worship and Church School at the home of Roscoe and Irene Brown on East Dead Creek Rd.  Worship leadership was given by Mr. Paul A. Clark, a lay minister. The steering committee continued to met and worked with the New York Baptist Convention to locate a site for a new church. In February 1962 a parcel of land was purchased from Agnes VanNess on O’Brien Rd. which was to serve as the location of the church. At that same time the Baptist Fellowship moved their meetings to the Grange Hall as it provided more room for their needs.
    On Easter Sunday, April 22, 1962 the Baptist Fellowship moved into their newly build Baptist Chapel, which had been build for them by Mr. Cappuccilli. The Chapel was dedicated on June 17th 1962.
    In May 1962, Hillview Community Baptist Church called its first full—time pastor, The Rev. Frank Crowder. During those first years was the initiation of the services at Zahn’s Nursing Home a program which was to continue for a period of time, was to be one of the most meaningful projects of the church.
    The Church was incorporated- on July 21, 1964, and the church continued modest growth during the next several years, drawing primarily from the developing communities on both sides of the church. In 1966, Hillview called its second pastor, The Rev. Dave Homer, who was to leave the next year.
    The growth continued so that in 1967 the church began to talk about building an addition. They called as their pastor the Rev. Anthony Jefferson, who led them through the difficult time of decision making and planning so that in 1969 on November 23rd the Sanctuary Building was dedicated to the Service of God.
    With the increased space the Church School program was increased so that in 1970 when they called the Rev. Roger Covell to be their pastor, the Church had a well developed program of worship, education and community service. This was expanded during Roger’s pastorate to include a Youth Center program in the original building. Roger Covell resigned in June 1974 and after nine months the church voted to call the Rev. Judson Day as their pastor.