Welcome to Santa Barbara's only Independent Baptist Church, founded in 1967 by Pastor and Sandy Mitchell. Grace Baptist Church first met at 326 West Sola Street in the Stroller's Hall. The following year, the church rented the former Emmanuel Lutheran Church at 430 East Figueroa Street. In 1969, the church purchased the Trinity Lutheran Church building at 2035 Bath Street and worshipped there until a decision was made to move to the Goleta area. The building was sold in 1987 to the Cornerstone Church.
The congregation met at the Santa Barbara Christian School while looking for a suitable site to build a new church facility. Our building program was set aside in 1990 when Grace Baptist Church and Temple Baptist Church merged to form Faith Baptist Church. The two congregations worshipped together until 1993 when the decision was made to re-establish Grace Baptist Church.
We feel the Lord has richly blessed our desire to re-establish our church. He made it possible for our congregation to purchase our present facility from Family Life Fellowship (formerly Hope Evangelical Free Church) in July, 1994. Through the grace and provision of a wonderful and loving Lord, we were able to purchase and renovate the building completely debt-free.
Today, God continues to bless Grace Baptist Church and her congregation. Souls are being saved, lives are being touched and, through the faithfulness of the congregation and the support of many missionaries, the gospel of Christ is being spread here in Santa Barbara and throughout the world.
Dr. E. R. Mitchell, Pastor
