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Our History
1933
In September a small group of believers, recently withdrawn from the United Brethren Church, met on the porch of a home on Jefferson St. in Birdsboro. George Quell and Dick Seidel encouraged the group to live out their faith in Jesus Christ in their everyday living. As fall progressed the small group of approximately twenty people, rented out the first floor of the Patriotic Order Sons of America Lodge at the corner of Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
1936
The Birdsboro Gospel Mission was taught the Word of God and it's application by visiting missionaries, Bible college professors, as well as Lester Grubb, Jim Ruoss and George Quell.
1946
Pastor Clarence Didden, of Limerick Chapel, begins teaching a Wednesday evening Bible Study and Prayer Session as well as Teacher Training classes to the Birdsboro Gospel Church.
1958
In August, newlyweds Bernard & Patricia Didden began their ministry with the Birdsboro Gospel Church. Pastor Didden became the church's first full-time pastor with George Quell as Assistant Pastor.
1959
The ground in Exeter Township, adjacent to Highway 422 was purchased in order to build facilities that would better accommodate the growth of the church.
1960
The first service of the Exeter Bible Church conducted in its own building was held on
May 8, 1960.
1968
The vision for further growth and development began to take form when a building committee was appointed. The Board of Directors envisioned the need for a facility that could accommodate a worship service of 500 people and Sunday school space for an additional 500 children.
1971
The new sanctuary is built as well as the church office building. The new church is dedicated and the original church building is used for Sunday School classes and youth meetings.
1976
The idea that Exeter Bible Church could sponsor a Christian School was expressed in a resolution passed by the Board of Deacons on March 1, 1972. The congregation voted to approve the project of starting a school as a ministry of Exeter Bible Church. A special offering of $2,000 gave the school its initial thrust, and Berks Christian School opened its doors the following September with an enrollment of 96 students.
1980
Jack Hughes is the new Berks Christian School administrator.
1982
A new educational building addition including a gym was proposed and built to expand the school and church ministries.
1987
The East Educational wing was built and included a cafeteria, science lab, and music room. Pastor Bob Sloan becomes Berks Christian School's Administrator.
1988
Church staff adds Pastors Rick Knarr and Jim Smith as Associate Pastors along with Bob Becker as the new BCS Administrator.
1999
Josh Monda selected as the new Youth Pastor.
2000
Pastor Didden retires and Rev. Dr. Eric Crichton becomes Interim Pastor.
2003
David A. Klase is called, accepts, and is installed as Senior Pastor of Exeter Bible Church.
2008
Exeter Bible Church celebrates it's 75th anniversary. Frank Love, a BCS Alumnus, is named BCS Administrator, succeeding Bob Becker.