On Friday February 15, 2008 a group of 20 people associated with the Grace Baptist Church/The Baptist Temple met to discuss the restoration of the Baptist Temple Building by Temple University. The group included current and former church members as well a trustee of the Chapel of the Four Chaplains, and Pastor George Hawthorne.

They discussed their shared memories about growing up in a community of faith. It was noted that most of them still had the Bibles they received when they attended Sunday School at Baptist Temple. Another observation was learning about the “Peace that Passeth Understanding” by looking at the faces of the Four Chaplains in the large picture in the Chapel. The conclusion was that all were connected by their shared experience of learning about faith in Jesus.

As part of the meeting they decided that their shared purpose would be the following:
1) Maintain fellowship with current and former church members
2) Contribution to hallmark the building's Christian past
3) Historic preservation

Therefore, a reunion is being planned for Sunday May 4, 2008 at the Grace Baptist Church in Blue Bell. This will be a time to worship and fellowship together. Another reunion will take place this summer at the site of the former Temple Camp in Collegeville. All current and former members of the church will be invited to participate.

The group would also like to fund raise for the restoration of a Stained Glass window to Honor the Members of the Grace Baptist Church: Past, Present, & Future. In keeping with the story of Hattie Mae Wyatt – contributions would be appreciated starting with 57 cents on up.

The evening ended with prayer and a promise to meet again.

For more information, to make a contribution and/or attend the reunion program on May 4 contact:
Herb Haigh herbhaigh@mindspring.com