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Our History
The First Baptist Church of Westland started out as New Hope Baptist Church in 1961. God supplied the money for the 1st month's rent on the multi-purpose room at John Marshall Junior High. After the first two weeks, the Church became self-supporting.
The Church was founded by Reverend Jack and his wife Betty Spitza. As the Church was being formed, Reverend Spitza canvassed almost every home in Wayne and Nankin Township. The Church began to grow week by week. In 1965, the Church sold bonds and purchased a full city block of property at the corner of Wildwood and Avondale. Several months later construction was started on its present building. During the Christmas of 1979, the mortgage was burned and the Church's attention was directed to new building projects. In 1985, the Church members donated more then $14,000 to purchase new pews and carpeting for the auditorium. Since then, the parking lot has been paved, and a new front entrance-way has been built. In 2001, the Church celebrated its 40th Anniversary.
Through the years the loving hand of the Lord has sustained the Church again and again. There have been many trials, but the Lord has seen the Church through every one of them. Looking back, there are many highlights to remember, including the Anniversary Sunday Pot Luck Dinners, the Winter Retreats and Canoe Trips, Vacation Bible Schools, and the annual Children's Christmas Eve Play.
In Memory Of Reverend Jack Spitza
October 4, 1929 - July 2005
