Our History
West Cannon Baptist Church began in 1884 at the old Moffitt Hill School on the corner of Pettis and Five Mile Road. During the first thirty years. they met at the Free Will Baptist Class. On July 5, 1913, the decision was made to construct a building. Freeman Johnson donated the land and it was built for $2,000. The twenty-eight by fourty-four foot building was made of cement blocks, cast on site, costing three cents each. Various individuals and groups also donated nine stained glass windows (one of which can be found behind the Welcome Center in our current facility). This original building was dedicated on October 18, 1914, with the Rev. Harvey Dockum as the first pastor. West Cannon shared pastors with Belmont Baptist and Rockford Baptist Churches until we were able to support our own pastor. In 1948, the Rev. Carl Weir was called to be the first full-time pastor.
In 1949, West Cannon began a drive-in church ministry on Cannonsburg Road east of the Ski Lodge area. A summer program from June to August that replaced the Sunday evening service continued annually for the next 27 years.
The property used for the drive-in church was sold in 1974. Three years later, twenty acres of land was purchased on Pettis and Cannonsburg Road (our present locaiton). In June of 1980, under the leadership of Pastor George White, Doug Crawford was called to be the Pastor of Youth Ministries.
In 1982, West Cannon Baptist Church joined the Grand Rapids Association of Regular Baptist Churches. On August 24, of that same year, we held a groundbreaking service for a new earth-sheltered structure at our present site. That building was dedicated on November 20, 1983. On July 9, 1986, Pastor Doug Crawford was called to be the senior pastor. In 1989, Pastor John Nixon becmae the part-time Pastor of Student Ministries, the first educational wing was finished (Phase II), and the church celebrated its seventy-fifth anniversary.
During the '90s, West Cannon experienced significant growth. In 1991, Pastor Dave Parmerlee was added to the staff part time and Pastor John became full time. In 1992, the second educational wing was completed (Phase III), and West Cannon joined the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches. Pastor Pastor Dan Boehning joined the staff in 1994.
In order to accommodate our growing church family, a second morning service was added in 1995 and plans were drawn for our current sanctuary, which was completed in the summer of 1996. That fall also marked the beginning of the West Cannon Preschool. In the summer of 1998, the earth-sheltered structure was replaced with the current Family Room, and Pastor Mark Cizauskas was added to the staff.
In 2000, West Cannon commissioned Tim and Robin Sommers as full-time missionaries to Brazil. In 2002, Pastor Dan Boehning left on August 31. On January 2, 2003, Tim Anderson was added to the staff as Director of Ministries and Pastor Mac McCully was added as Pastor of Family Ministries and Outreach on June 2, 2003.
Another entrance on Pettis Avenue was added to help with the traffic in 2004. Janine Fogle was also commissioned by West Cannon as a full-time missionary to Zambia. October 15-17, 2004, West Cannon celebrated its ninetieth anniversary.
Pastor Mac McCully left in March 2005 to pursue other opportunities. To accommodate our growth, we began "The Journey." Phase One of "The Journey" was financed by an offering ($267,722.24), taken on June 12, 2005. A "Journey Fund" was also established and preliminary plans for our building were introduced. On June 19, 2005, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of Pastor Doug Crawford at West Cannon during the evening service.
Pastor David Henriksen was added to the staff by a congregational vote on April 9, 2006, to be the Pastor of Care. He will be visiting the sick and shut-ins and developing care programs.
The history of West Cannon Baptist Church is a testimony to the grace and work of God. We praise Him for all He has done and trust that our church will remain an instrument for His glory in this community for years to come.
