Grove Park Chapel, NC

Grove Park Chapel is an open brethren influenced bible church located at 605 Sherron Road, Durham, Orange/Wake/Durham Counties, North Carolina that was founded in 1945, previously known as the Durham Gospel Center. In 1990 it changed format to more of an independent community church format but still retains much of its PB roots. In its early days it grew to as much as 800 people. One of its best known preachers was Howard "Welcome" Detweiler who published 3-5 testimony compilation in the 1940's-1950's filled with stories of men and women who met the Lord via this assembly. The first three have been acquired and are being digitized. The first is on this site at How It Happened In Durham.

1946 Letters of Interest

The article is titled Six Lovely Halls In Piedmont Section of North Carolina chronicling the founding of the assemblies in Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Burlington, Siler City & Durham.

In Jan. 1944, Mr. Wilson started Bible readings in homes in Durham and on the 13th of the month started a special series of meetings in a large, rented store building. Interest was good from the start, a good number were saved and some fine Christians contacted. Bro. Welcome Detweiler joined Mr. Wilson in this series, conducting a hearty song service. After another series later on, in which more were saved, a new building was decided upon. Bro. Detweiler, by now, had moved to Durham, and with the local brethren, worked hard on the building.

This front view does not reveal the size of this large building which the balcony will seat nearly 400. A large basement is ideal for the growing Sunday school of around 150. There are around fifty Christians identified with the work in Durham, and in two or three years when the work is really established, it should prove a strong, energetic testimony. A radio program is carried on in connection with the assembly. Bro. Wilson had a fruitful series there recently. Bro. Detweiler is taking good care of the work. The new building was opened June 3rd, 1945...

This is the big Easter Conference at Greensboro each year, Thanksgiving Conference at Durham and a monthly get-together of the young folks in one of the places each month. Bro. Wilson is anxious to open up two new places as soon as he is free from the places already opened. New work must be cared for until local gift develops and sometimes this takes ten to fifteen years. The large Sunday school effort in these centers should produce more rapid gift later on."

Also See

• Six Lovely Halls In Piedmont Section Of North Carolina LOI 1946-7
• GPC's website
• Visiting Ministry at Grove Park Chapel, NC conference reports, etc. 1945-current
• Who's Who at Grove Park Chapel, NC notable alumni

Sources

• Letters of Interest: LOI 1946
• OB AAB's 1927-1959