From Rome Corners to Big Walnut Road
Grace Chapel Community Church has stood at 7798 Big Walnut Road in Westerville, Ohio since its dedication on June 17, 1923, but the building itself is older than that. The "little church at Rome Corners that has served its parish for almost 50 years" was moved to Tussic Street near Cole's Corners, after John Gregg sold the parcel for $1.00 so the chapel could be rebuilt. Teams of horses and wagons hauled the disassembled structure down a mud Worthington-Galena Road, at one point abandoning it because the ruts were too deep to continue. Once it was reassembled, Rev. Frank McEntire, the first pastor, led the dedication ceremony and served for many years.
For decades the church was tended by a rotation of student pastors, none full time. That changed in 1966, when Pastor James Meacham, then a college student, was hired as the first full-time pastor in half a century. Under his leadership the building was renovated, expanded, and joined by recreational buildings. His son, Pastor Doug Meacham, now leads the congregation. A third pastor, Mike Beekman, is also part of the team, and the church is "thankful to God for his providence and grace." Tours of the historic building are offered to anyone who calls or emails the office.
Sunday Worship and a Monthly Prayer Night
Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. center on a worship service with nursery care for children from birth through age three and Junior Church for older kids. A second gathering follows in the evening at 6:00 p.m. The first Sunday of each month sets that evening service aside for prayer.
Wednesdays: Bible Study and Classic Car Cruise-Ins
Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. bring a Bible study open to all ages. The same evening at 6:00 p.m., the parking lot fills with classic cars for the weekly Cruise-in, a community fixture on the property that has become part of the church's weekly rhythm.
Branches of Ministry
Grace Chapel organizes its ministry work into five branches. GC Kids gives children a place to learn and grow through games and activities. Youth and Young Adults gather teens and young adults to study the Word together. Women of Grace and GC Men each meet for teaching and fellowship, with their own regular coffee gatherings. Grief Share offers a supportive setting for anyone working through loss. Recurring traditions include a Vacation Bible School, an Easter egg hunt, and a Mother's Day brunch.
What Grace Chapel Believes
The church's faith statement, written out in full, centers on the Trinity: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit as one. Grace Chapel teaches that Jesus is the Son of God and the only way to the Father, that he died and was raised so that believers can be saved, and that through him "we were healed." The Holy Spirit is given when the Father is asked and empowers believers for the work of the church.
The Bible is described as the inspired Word of God, "alive and full of power." On humanity, the statement teaches that sin entered through Adam and that all have sinned, and that being "born again" by accepting Jesus as Lord is the way to salvation. Once that happens, "you are a new creation and are forgiven of all sin," and signs follow believers, including casting out demons, speaking in new tongues, and healing the sick by laying on hands.
The church also teaches that Christ is the head of the church, that members are to "let [their] light shine and do good works," to spread the gospel, to love everyone, to pray for the sick, and to exercise the authority Christ gave over Satan. Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before others," is the verse the church has chosen and folded into its very name.
Life's Beautiful Journey Radio and Online Giving
Pastor Doug Meacham records a weekly podcast called Life's Beautiful Journey Radio, available through Buzzsprout and on its own YouTube channel. The church's main YouTube account, Grace Chapel Ohio, carries a longer archive of messages, music, and event videos. A Bible Lookup and Prayer page offers a BibleProject overview video and a form for sharing prayer requests. Tithes and offerings can be given online through PayPal and Venmo (handle @gc-cc).
A Historic Campus Available to Rent
The Grace Chapel campus includes the main church building, a recreation building with a stage and full kitchen, and a shelter house with electric, all available for parties, meetings, and performances. The rental rate is $300 per event, with an optional $25 custodial fee for those who do not clean up themselves, and the shelter house alone rents for $200. The building is smoke and alcohol free, and weekly recurring meetings are difficult to fit around the church's own schedule.
Visiting Grace Chapel
Visitors can reach the church office at (614) 891-1157 or (614) 882-1064, or by email at gracechapelcommunitychurch@gmail.com. The Grace Chapel Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts keep the wider community connected between Sundays.