The Altoona Bible Church is in Person and on the Air!
The Altoona Bible Church is in Person and on the Air!
The 11 AM Service can be heard live on WFBG 1290, and rebroadcast at Noon on WJSM 92.7. “Joy in the Morning,” which is a wake-up, get ready for church program airing each Sunday at 8:30 AM on WRTA and WJSM. Since the inception of “Joy in the Morning”, there have been over 3,380 programs for over 64 years of this program. It has been aired over the local radio stations and now is also airing through the internet and by podcast.
The morning service can be seen on cable local access in Altoona (Channel 14 Sunday, 9:00 AM), Johnstown (Channel 9 Sunday, Noon).
A Brief History of the Church
December 1945 – Pastor Henry F. Kulp came to Altoona
1948 – Beginning of our on-going radio broadcasts. Pastor Kulp started broadcasting live church services at 28th Street Church of the Brethren.
Wednesday, November 14, 1951 – Locked out of 28th Street Church by Sheriff’s padlocks. That was Wednesday night.
Sunday, November 18, 1951 – Met in the Howard Avenue Armory for the first time.
Wednesday, November 21, 1951 – Met at the Church of the Open Door (they lived up to their name) for Prayer meeting and Choir practice. Charter secured for the Altoona Bible Church.
March 20, 1952 – Altoona Bible Church Constitution adopted with current structure of authority i.e., Official Board, Deacon Board, etc.
April 13, 1952
Groundbreaking – We had no financing, the congregation stepped out on faith, members bought bonds with money borrowed on home mortgages, life insurance, etc.
July 16, 1952 – First Congregational meeting, first Official Board in place.
November 9, 1952 – Laying of cornerstone.
July 19, 1953 – Dedication of building, first service in new building.
January, 1954 – First telecast of “Life of Triumph”.
April, 1954 – First Missionary Conference.
April 7, 1968 – Dedication of New “Wrap Around Building”.
1973 – Tape ministry began.
December 10, 1981 – Pastor Henry F. Kulp, founding pastor, was called home to be with the Lord. Pastor Spooner assumed Interim Pastoral duties.
July 14, 1985 – Pastor Jon Bekemeyer’s ministry began as Senior Pastor.
September, 1990 – Our Preschool began.
July, 1992 – Pastor Joel McGarvey came as Senior Pastor.
February, 1994 – The HFK building roof collapsed under the weight of snow.
November 20, 1994 – Dedication of rebuilt HFK building.
August, 1995 – First Grace Kids Camp.
June 9, 1996 – Pastor Ken Peeble’s ministry as Interim Pastor began.
December 15, 1996 – Pastor Ken Peeble’s becomes Senior Pastor of Altoona Bible Church.
July 2003 – Pastor Stewart W. McClelland joined the Altoona Bible Church as its Senior Pastor.
July 2021 – Pastor Aaron J. Harris becomes Pastor at the Altoona Bible Church.
September 2022 – Pastor Aaron J. Harris becomes Senior Pastor upon Pastor Stewart W. McClelland’s retirement.