History of the first 25 Years of Faith Baptist
written by one of our members in 2003

The year was 1978, and for a young pastor named Jerry Birkholz and his wife Beth, Olyphant PA was as foreign as any place could ever be. This was the place where they made unusual things like "pierogies", "porketta", and "white pizza". In This area things were usually pretty quiet, and the religion was predominately catholic.

Jerry Birkholz quickly found a place to call home, and in October, he and his wife Beth along with their 14-month-old son Ben, moved into a duplex on East Scott Street. However, starting a church would not be that easy to accomplish. Where would the church be? How would he get members? He thought for a while and decided the place the church would meet would be in the living room of his home. With his first question answered he now needed to get members. With great aspiration, and a bible in hand, Jerry Birkholz started walking all through the area, and knocking on many doors, as well as following up on many leads.

Within 3 weeks Pastor Birkholz started Bible studies. On December 10, 1978 with 17 members, Faith Baptist Church had its first service. Some of the very first members were: Sandy Walters, Earl and Sharon Nulton, Rick and Carol Fanucci, The Evan's, Shirley Misiura and her fiance' Wayne Pisanchyn and Margee Billman. Ben's room was used as a nursery. Pastor and Beth's bedroom was the girls Sunday school room, and the kitchen served as the boys Sunday school room. Sometimes the living room was overcrowded, and since Margee had joined a little later than the others, Pastor Birkholz would go to her house and have a bible study with her on Wednesday's. On the days that there happened to be some extra room pastor would call up Margee and say "Margee Billman come on down!"

Although the congregation was small, the members managed to save $10,000, and in 1980 put a down payment on a building in Archbald, PA that cost $35,000. The owner of the property was Thomas Tolerico, and he owned a nightclub in Archbald as well.

Pastor Birkholz was able to give this man and his wife the gospel on several occasions.

This building, which was previously a tavern, did not resemble a church in any way, and was in much need of repair. With great vision, Pastor Birkholz only saw the potential of what the building could become. The room, which the congregation used as an auditorium, was used as a sewing factory, a print shop, a 'dented can' grocery store and finally a flea market. The congregation borrowed another $20,000 for renovations, and moved in at the beginning of April 1981. The members spent every free moment they had fixing up the property. The men put in bathrooms, lighting, and an office for pastor. The basement was finished the following year. All of this was done without a building permit or a blueprint.

The church continued to grow, and in 1985 Pastor Birkholz asked a seminary student by the name of Michael Cantando if he would consider the position of assistant pastor of Faith Baptist Church. At first Pastor Cantando and his wife Wendy would come in on Sunday's to help out during his last years of seminary. They really grew to love the church, and Pastor Cantando decided to accept the position upon graduation.

In 1986 Pastor Birkholz was asked to fill the position of pastor to a church in Virginia that was in great crisis. The decision to leave the work he started was an extremely difficult choice. One main question was who would take over? When the vote came, it was obvious there was only one choice, and that would be Pastor Cantando.

The farewell message that Pastor Birkholz gave on his last Sunday as pastor of Faith Baptist church was an extremely emotional one. His message focused on Paul, who started many churches, but when he felt the body was mature enough, he let go. When pastor's final words of his message were "I leave you with God" there was not a dry eye in the place. The congregation knew that they were indeed left in the hands of God, and God would not forsake them.

With all of the growth, the assembly once again had to seriously consider moving to another building. It was obvious to all, but the members of Faith Baptist Church still had a difficult time with change. After much prayer about where God would lead them, an offer was made to purchase the Peckville Baptist Church. The Congregation moved into their new building in November 1996. Members once again made many improvements to the church. Two restrooms were put in, and an office for Pastor. The nursery was down stairs, and after a while Sunday school rooms were added to the above floor.

The one thing that the church desperately needed after all these years of growth was an assistant pastor. Once again, much prayer went out to have the right man of God fill the position of assistant. In July of 1999 Rob and Renee Vigil came to interview. Pastor Vigil filled the job of Pastor Cantando's assistant on September of 1999. Since that time Pastor Vigil and Renee have been a tremendous blessing to Faith Baptist Church. Pastor Vigil has been in charge of several of the church's successful programs such as Awanna and Evening Vacation Bible School.

Although Faith Baptist Church has undergone many changes in the past 25 years, one thing has never changed, and that is the steadfastness and the God fearing principles that the church has, and will always stand firm on.

Addendum: In 2009, Pastor Cantando resigned his position as head pastor and Pastor Vigil was voted to be the new senior pastor.