Our Story

KRBC can trace its beginning to when Mrs. William Fields and Mrs. Able Hildreth of the First Baptist Church of Columbus established a Sunday School in a small brick house on Twentieth Street near Atcheson. Mrs. Hildreth offered a lot for a church building.
Memorial Baptist and Hildreth Baptist all played a part in this new ministry area North of Columbus.

The group grew and needed a building. The First Baptist Church of Linden Heights was recognized and built at the corner of Aberdeen & Greenwich. Expansion happened over the next two decades.

The FBC of Linden Heights and an older Hildreth Baptist Church merged and changed the name to Hildreth Baptist Church but remained at the Linden Heights location.

The church name was changed to Linden Baptist Church to provide clarity for the ministry and recognition in the community.

Dr. William J. Bowser was called as Senior Pastor of Linden/Karl Road Baptist church. He served 12 years and went on to serve First Baptist Church in Marshalltown, Iowa. Dr. Bowser returnedto KRBC to serve in a part-time role for several years and attended the church until his death.

Construction was completed for an education building and fellowship hall, which also served as a sanctuary.

Rev. C. Richard Swanson was called as sixteenth Senior Pastor of Karl Road Baptist Church, a role
he held for 14 years during which KRBC experienced its highest attendance with as many as 1000 on holidays.

Rev. John Doyel was called to serve as Senior Pastor of Karl Road Baptist Church, which he did until resigning in September 2005.

Demonstrating the desire to reach the next generation, KRBC called Josh Foor as the next pastor.

After a prayer-filled retreat, the Ministry Council voted to relaunch the church with a new mission, vision, and name.

Mrs. Alderson recognized there was no formal church in the Village of Linden Heights, OH and opened her home.

From T.E. Kline, “The church was having at this time it’s ebbs and flows. There would always be those who would say, “It can’t be done.” However, there were always those who just as strongly affirm, “we believe this is the will and work of God, and by His grace it can and will be done, he will supply the resources needed to complete the task.”

Rev. William J. Schlatter was called to serve Hildreth Baptist Church. He would serve for 23 years!

The congregation voted to begin a satellite church on
Karl Road near Route 161. The cornerstone for the
first building was laid on October 1962, on the 8.5-acre property and the building was dedicated in 1963.

Under the leadership of Pastor Bowser, the Linden property was sold. Because the buyers wanted immediate possession, church gatherings would be held in at Northland High School.
From T. E. Kline: “Pastor Bowser announced to the congregation that we would be moving to the school July 26th. It was with feelings of mixed emotions that we prepared to leave Linden, especially those who had worshipped and worked and prayed and shared their joys and sorrows together at this place through the years.
But for most, there was an air of anticipation and expectancy. They felt they had fulfilled their mission and that what they were about to do was of the Lord; therefore, it was right.”

The present worship complex was completed, which included a 650-seat sanctuary, lobby, and offices that connected the education wing and the fellowship hall. The dedication service was Easter Sunday that year.

The construction of the Schlatter wing, dedicated in memory of Dr. William and Josephine Schlatter, was completed, and dedicated.