About Us
First Grace Gospel Church is a multi-generational and non-denominational church dedicated to teaching the Bible while supporting various ministries. Located in Ashtabula, Ohio, we provide a beautiful and gracious setting for you and your family to worship and learn from God's Word. We cherish God's Word and challenge one another to embrace it where we work, play, and live. We are committed to the next generation and want to lay a strong foundation for them and provide numerous chances for all generations to serve and lead. We hope you will join us in our efforts to experience God's love's fullness and share the Good News in our community. Contact us or come by to learn how to join our church family.
Our History
In the early 1940s, Pastor William Root came to Ashtabula from Cleveland to begin a mission work. Many responded to his clear gospel preaching, and in 1942 the Ashtabula Gospel Church was founded. The congregation first met in a storefront building just west of the West Avenue intersection on West Prospect Road. Among the earliest leaders were Harry Bogar, Clyde Good, Gilbert Oles, Rollie Shady, Charles White, and Ernest Yale.
Originally a baptistic church, several doctrinal changes were made in 1944. The church has always proclaimed the foundational truth that one must trust wholly in Jesus Christ’s death for sins and His resurrection for eternal salvation—entirely apart from religious works. During this time, the pastor and congregation came to understand more fully the distinctive ministry and message of the Apostle Paul. They concluded that the Bible must be rightly divided and understood dispensationally in order to be fully appreciated. They also became convinced that the rite of water baptism was to be set aside in favor of the one baptism of the Holy Spirit. Because the biblical name for God’s present message is “the gospel of the grace of God,” the church was renamed First Grace Gospel Church in 1947.
In 1948, a permanent brick building was completed at the present location in South Ashtabula. That same year, the national Grace Gospel Fellowship Convention was hosted in the new facility. Many Bible teachers ministered during the conference, and several missionaries were sent to foreign fields as a result.
When Pastor Root moved to Nebraska in 1950, the following men served as pastors: Leonard Walmsley (1950–1955), Vernon Smith (1955–1956), Alfred VanDyke (1956–1959), Edward Martin (1959–1961), and Roy Kelsey (1962–1965). During the ministries of Pastors Walmsley and Kelsey, the church experienced strong numerical growth. Under Pastor Smith’s leadership, a church division occurred, resulting in the formation of Berean Bible Church in Ashtabula. During Pastor Kelsey’s ministry, the rear portion of the present facility was added, including a Fellowship Hall and six additional Sunday School classrooms. Church leaders serving during those years included Ernest Yale, Eino Peaspanen, Gilbert Oles, Carl Njus, Ray Morton, George Deitz, Wade Cudeback, Merle Bishop, and Tom Balog.
Pastor Fred Mitchell served from 1966 until his passing from a heart attack in 1974. He was known for his compassionate ministry, and during his pastorate all church mortgages were paid in full. At the time of Pastor Mitchell’s passing, former missionaries to Africa, David and Marilyn Adams, were living in Ashtabula. Mrs. Adams is the daughter of early members, Eino and Mrs. Peaspanen. The congregation called Pastor David Adams to serve as minister in 1972. He faithfully shepherded the church for many decades, serving until his retirement in 2020. Pastor Adams went home to be with the Lord in October 2021.
In recent years, the congregation has continued to experience steady growth. The parking area has more than doubled in size, and the church maintains an extensive literature outreach ministry along with an active Ladies Missionary Fellowship. Faithful men have continued to serve in leadership roles throughout the years, helping strengthen and guide the ministry of the church.
Strong Bible teaching and preaching continue to be emphasized at First Grace Gospel Church as we seek to uphold the message of God’s grace for this present age.
Submitted by Pastor David Adams in 1983.
Revised for updated dates and clarity in 2026.
Originally a baptistic church, several doctrinal changes were made in 1944. The church has always proclaimed the foundational truth that one must trust wholly in Jesus Christ’s death for sins and His resurrection for eternal salvation—entirely apart from religious works. During this time, the pastor and congregation came to understand more fully the distinctive ministry and message of the Apostle Paul. They concluded that the Bible must be rightly divided and understood dispensationally in order to be fully appreciated. They also became convinced that the rite of water baptism was to be set aside in favor of the one baptism of the Holy Spirit. Because the biblical name for God’s present message is “the gospel of the grace of God,” the church was renamed First Grace Gospel Church in 1947.
In 1948, a permanent brick building was completed at the present location in South Ashtabula. That same year, the national Grace Gospel Fellowship Convention was hosted in the new facility. Many Bible teachers ministered during the conference, and several missionaries were sent to foreign fields as a result.
When Pastor Root moved to Nebraska in 1950, the following men served as pastors: Leonard Walmsley (1950–1955), Vernon Smith (1955–1956), Alfred VanDyke (1956–1959), Edward Martin (1959–1961), and Roy Kelsey (1962–1965). During the ministries of Pastors Walmsley and Kelsey, the church experienced strong numerical growth. Under Pastor Smith’s leadership, a church division occurred, resulting in the formation of Berean Bible Church in Ashtabula. During Pastor Kelsey’s ministry, the rear portion of the present facility was added, including a Fellowship Hall and six additional Sunday School classrooms. Church leaders serving during those years included Ernest Yale, Eino Peaspanen, Gilbert Oles, Carl Njus, Ray Morton, George Deitz, Wade Cudeback, Merle Bishop, and Tom Balog.
Pastor Fred Mitchell served from 1966 until his passing from a heart attack in 1974. He was known for his compassionate ministry, and during his pastorate all church mortgages were paid in full. At the time of Pastor Mitchell’s passing, former missionaries to Africa, David and Marilyn Adams, were living in Ashtabula. Mrs. Adams is the daughter of early members, Eino and Mrs. Peaspanen. The congregation called Pastor David Adams to serve as minister in 1972. He faithfully shepherded the church for many decades, serving until his retirement in 2020. Pastor Adams went home to be with the Lord in October 2021.
In recent years, the congregation has continued to experience steady growth. The parking area has more than doubled in size, and the church maintains an extensive literature outreach ministry along with an active Ladies Missionary Fellowship. Faithful men have continued to serve in leadership roles throughout the years, helping strengthen and guide the ministry of the church.
Strong Bible teaching and preaching continue to be emphasized at First Grace Gospel Church as we seek to uphold the message of God’s grace for this present age.
Submitted by Pastor David Adams in 1983.
Revised for updated dates and clarity in 2026.