Celebration of Rocky River's 250th anniversary concluded on August 13, 2006, following a yearlong celebration and time of thanksgiving, recognizing God's faithfulness to the church over so many generations.

The celebration actually kicked off at Revival 2003, when the church welcomed the 18th-century pastor, Shubal Stearns, as portrayed by the Rev. Matthew Cunnup, along with returning pastors from the last few decades. From that point through the anniversary worship service, many projects and special events focused on the church and its ministry since 1756.

The 250th Anniversary
Celebration Projects

250th Anniversary Special Events. A full schedule of special services and community events was offered to celebrate God's faithfulness to the church over two and a half centuries. For a list of those events, click here.

250th Anniversary Celebration Cookbook, featuring 140 pages of favorite recipes submitted by church members, was been published by Fresh Vision's Women's Missionary Union. Proceeds will be used to purchase children's playground equipment to be installed outside the new fellowship hall. Copies are still available! For an order form and more information, click here.

250th Anniversary Commemorative Sportswear. Embroidered items — including children's shirts and a wide range of adult clothing — was offered by special order.

Church History Book Update, a continuation of the church history covering the last decade, was writen by Janette Teague and produced by the Church History Book Committee. To download a copy of the church history book update (825K PDF), click here.

Highlights of Church History, themed articles on church history were published in each church newsletter through Homecoming 2006. To read the articles, click here.

J. Ward Buckner Heritage Room & Historical Archives, a room of reference material and exhibits documenting the history of Rocky River Baptist Church, was dedicated in the spring of 2005. The heritage room also includes a new and growing collection of photographs from church history. The Buckner Room is an ongoing project. We invite you to contribute photos, newspaper clippings and other items to be included in the heritage collection.

The Prayer Chapel at Rocky River, constructed as part of the 250th Anniversary Celebration, is an open structure marking the location of the congregation's first meeting place. The small chapel was designed to provide a quiet place for prayer and contemplation, as well as a focus of historical interest.

Rocky River Baptist Church Web Site provides information about the church and its 250th anniversary celebration. While the site also is designed to serve the church, it was created to provide public information about the celebration.

This Week in Church History, a series of short historical briefs appeared in every church bulletin from August 8, 2004, and will continue through August 6, 2006. To read the short historical items, click here.

Rocky River Baptist Church
250th Anniversary Committee
Thanks to all members of the 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee for their work planning special events and projects to commemorate this important milestone in the history of Rocky River Baptist Church: Ethel Buckner, Angie Burke, Pastor Greg Burriss, Brenda Fuquay, Cheryl Hargrove, Chip Pate, Chip Price and Janette Teague.