Grace Chapel is an evangelical, non-denominational church with a contemporary style of worship and quality programs for all ages. Our service is held at 9:30 am, Sundays during the Summer.

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History

Grace Chapel History & Milestones

In June of 1990, a group of 20 to 25 people gathered at the home of Rich and Edie Smith. A steering committee was appointed to prayerfully consider the possibility of forming a new church. Meetings began at the community room at the Jonesville Fire Department on Route 146A. Later that summer, we met and voted to proceed with the formation of a new church, electing a Board of Trustees, including Missions Treasurer, Corporate Treasurer and committees for Worship, Christian Education, Missions, Finance, and a Search Committee that would begin exploring possible meeting sites. This search continued into the fall when we obtained a temporary location at the Realty USA Facility on Ushers Road. Meetings for prayer continued at the Jonesville Fire Department and committee meetings were held in homes.

Grace Chapel was incorporated in September of 1990; and in the spring of 1991, we leased an office on Plank Road and hired an office manager. Our committee and prayer meetings were then based at that location. The search for a permanent location continued for the next two years and, in February 1993, a newly constructed building became available on Executive Park Drive in Halfmoon. We then closed the Plank Road Office and began full church operations in Halfmoon.

In October, Bruce Newman began as our first full-time pastor. Prior to this, Don Mostrom, Dave Olsen, Rich Patterson and Al Van Horne served as interim pastors.

Before our three-year lease at the Executive Park location expired in 1996, we had outgrown it and rent became an issue. Our Search Committee began looking once again. The Burning Bush Club House became available in March of 1996. Bob Van Patten, Jr., renovated the club house to our specifications and provided a monthly rental more suited to our budget, allowing us to save for the future.

The Town of Clifton Park gave us a limited Special Use Permit to meet at this location until January 1, 2000. With this deadline in mind, a Building Fund was launched in July 1996.

A Building Committee was formed in September of 1997. Land was purchased in March of 1999 on Main Street in Jonesville, and Mark Rekucki was hired as our general contractor. Construction began in July, and we held our first worship service in the Fellowship Hall on February 8, 2000. The Sanctuary was completed a month later, and we began full operation of the building in March.

We now have on staff a Senior and Associate Pastor, Directors of Music Ministry, Director of Adult Education, Director of Students Ministries, Director of Children's Ministries, and Administrative and Ministry Assistants in the church office.

Presently...we feel very blessed as we look forward to serving the people of God and the needs of the community.