(Grand Valley West Advance, April 10, 2007)

Jenison Bible Church was formed in 1969 as a missionary outreach of the Independent Bible Mission of Michigan, meeting at Jenison’s Bursley School. It was officially established Mart 28, 1917, with 35 charter members. The church purchased the present property and began the current building in June, 1972.

Since that time, the church has undertaken several building projects. In 1981, the auditorium was expanded and four classrooms added, along with a narthex, coat room, and barrier-free ramp. In 1984, the church again expanded the auditorium, classroom space, nursery, fellowship hall, and kitchen areas. Office space and classrooms were added in 1987, along with stained glass windows and a bell. More classrooms and an elevator were added between 1996 and 2000. Five more acres also were purchased, making the campus about 11 acres. Attendance averages about 650.

Georgetown Township in January signed of on plans for an addition to Jenison Bible Church, located at the corner of 12th Avenue and 44^th Street, but the final endorsement came from the congregation. The church voted March 27 to proceed with the work.

A groundbreaking celebration was scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight (Tuesday), with construction to begin on Wednesday. The 21,257-square-foot addition will be bigger than the approximately 25,000-square-foot existing building and will house a 600-seat multi-purpose worship and activity center, classrooms, nursery, and kitchen.

Office manager Trinka Jeffery said plans call for the construction to be enclosed by August 1, and to be ready for use by February 8, 2008. The general contractor is Bauer Construction. W. L. Perry is the architect.