Our History
Grace Church belongs to The Christian & Missionary Alliance (C&MA), an association of over 18,000 churches around the world. The C&MA is an alliance of evangelical believers, joined together in local churches, committed to fulfilling the Great Commission given by our Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:19-20 instructs us, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (NIV). Today, we are a growing missionary denomination committed to evangelism around the world through church planting, with churches in 66 countries and territories. For more information about the Christian & Missionary Alliance, visit their website: www.cmalliance.org.
Milestones of Grace Church
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| 1958 |
A group of 45 people (mostly from the Brooklyn Alliance Church) began meeting at C.A. Thomas School (now Tri-City Senior Center), and prayed about the church they sensed God was leading them to begin.
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| 1962 |
Donald & Elfriede Schaeffer came to Cleveland with 4 children (and had another 5 here!). Donald was the first ordained pastor of Grace Church. 48 years later, Donald & Elfriede continue to be involved in effective ministry and enjoy time with their 40 grandchildren around the world! |
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| 1968 |
The first chapel was constructed at the corner of Bagley & Fry Roads. By the time of its completion, the church had already outgrown its 110 person seating capacity and had to go to 2 worship services. |
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1973 |
As Grace continued to expand its ministry in the community, a new sanctuary was added with additional classrooms. In the years that followed, hundreds of people lovingly invested energy and time in reaching out to the community, and many new ministries were initiated. |
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| 1980's |
Grace is known for its solid Bible teaching and opportunities for discipleship. During this time, we are blessed by the leadership of assistant pastors as Grace becomes a multi-staff church. Ken Radke, Jim Clevenger, Jack Herman, and Terry Truffin make an impact through their pastoral roles. Youth groups are strengthened, short-term missions teams are launched, and Grace begins its practice of training ministry interns. |
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| 1990's |
God continued to bless Grace Church with leaders who have a heart for Him. In addition to Pastor Donald Schaeffer, God has led others to join the team: Gregg Carrick (1990); Steve Harper (1994); Jonathan Schaeffer (1998); Dennis Barta, Randy Vandemark (1999); Jeff Doeringer and Joyce Meekins, Women’s Ministry Director (2001); Jamie Norton (affiliated counselor), John Guenther, Steve McKnight (2002) & Ryan Davis (2004). |
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| 1996 |
The first 32,000 square feet of our facility here at 7393 Pearl Road was completed, providing much needed space for exciting new opportunities for outreach & discipleship ministries for all ages. |
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| 2002 |
A fourth Sunday service began as God brought more people to Grace. There are 40-50 events that take place in our facility each week. In addition to our own ministries, there's Bible Study Fellowship, Toastmasters, AA, the Cleveland Browns Bible study, and more. |
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| 2003 |
A new ministry is launched in the Old Brooklyn area of Cleveland, as Grace takes on the identity as “one church, two campuses.” The building at Broadview and West 28th is completely remodeled and serves as the home for a growing segment of the Grace family. |
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| 2004 |
Our new Worship Center seats 1344 people, and new classrooms and nurseries have been a huge gift! This additional 85,000 sq. feet provides space for many more people in our community who will grow in their relationship with God and discover how they can best serve Him. |
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| 2008 |
Grace Church celebrated it's 50th anniversary of ministry by holding one service for everyone at Baldwin Wallace College. Over 2500 gathered to worship our Lord for what He has accomplished through the years at Grace. October 19 was proclaimed Grace Church day in Middleburg Hts. Now we look forward to what God has for his people for years to come! |
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"Now to Him who is able to do
immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to His power that is at work within us,
to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations,
for ever and ever! Amen."
Ephesians 3:20-21
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