Our church began over 200 years ago, when in 1814, an ordained minister from the Pennsylvania region came to the Sunbury area. He connected with other likeminded folks, rooted in Baptist beliefs, who then started a small church together. Walnut Creek Baptist Church was one of the first churches in the area.
In 1839, the church was incorporated and changed the name to Sunbury Baptist Church. In 1907, the church tore down the old "frame church" building, and erected in its place a beautiful light gray brick building. The total cost was 8,000 dollars. The original church building sat downtown in Sunbury square for approximately 150 years.
As Sunbury shifted from a rural village to one of the fastest-growing communities in central Ohio, the church sought fresh ways to connect with the changing needs of families, students, and young professionals. A new property and building was constructed just outside of town in 1999 that allowed for additional ministries such as Upward Soccer to provide opportunities for outreach, relationship-building, and community service.
Over time, it became clear that the church’s identity was evolving. The congregation desired a fresh name that outwardly reflected both its heritage, as well as its mission. One that communicated connection, compassion and purpose. After prayerful discernment, the name The Bridge Church of Sunbury was chosen to symbolize the church’s heart: connecting people to Jesus, to one another, and to the community.
Today, we continue to honor our heritage while embracing the opportunities God is placing before us as a community driven church. Now, as a fully independent and unaffiliated church, our congregation represents our city well, with believers from various church backgrounds. We take seriously the call to hold tightly onto essential matters of faith, while exercising great liberty in regard to individual convictions on secondary matters. We strive to be people of the Word that actively practice brotherly Christian preferance for one another, as a church that is united not around perfect agreement on every theological issue, but on our purpose as the local church to glorify God through the making of disciples.
We are a church with history, heart, and hope — rooted in the gospel, committed to community, and eager for the ever-changing next chapter of our ministry.