Harrison Hills ^{Baptist Church}

Harrison Hills Baptist Church began meeting as a group in the summer of 1974.  We met at the Faske's home for devotions on Thursday evenings.  Later that summer we asked Dr James Ryan, President of Boyce College, to help lead us.  In December of that year it was decided to form a new church.

In January 1975 we began meeting in the basement of the Love's home for Sunday School and Worship.  In February, the church called Jerry Owens to become our first pastor.  Later that spring, four (4) acres of land was purchased just north of Lanesville, Indiana.  Construction of the first building was started in May, with the first service held there on July 6th.  Though we were sponsored by Sellersburg Baptist Church, no outside financial help was needed.  The church was officially founded and dedicated on July 27, 1975.  And in 1977, six Sunday School classrooms were added. 

Throughout the years, we have been supported and led by many men working bi-vocationally (part-time) while students at The Southern Seminary in Louisville.  The church called Lee McGone as pastor in the summer of 1978.  In the summer of 1981, David Farmer was called as pastor.  Dr Sam Isgett was called as pastor in the summer of 1985.  Ron Burgess was called as the next pastor in the summer of 1990.  Then in 1994, a baptistry was added onto the south end of the sanctuary.  Mike Talbert was called as pastor in the summer of 1995.  We also added the steeple that year.  In 1996 we called Brian Anderson as our pastor.  A picnic shelter was built in 1997 and the parking lot was paved in 1998. 

Jon Elliff was called as pastor in the summer of 2000.  He became our first full-time/vocational pastor in the summer of 2002 upon his graduation from seminary.  We also added a lobby, classrooms, and offices, and expanded the sanctuary that year, which was completed without any debt through the help of "Campers on Mission." 

In the summer of 2003, Jim Fisher was called to fill a full-time role as our senior pastor.  The kitchen was also completed that summer.  Because of a growth explosion, the parking lot was expanded in the spring of 2004 and we began holding two morning services that fall.  Then in the summer of 2005, we added a fellowship hall with several classrooms, again without any debt through the help of "Campers on Mission."

Gary Yochum was called as our full-time senior pastor in February 2008.  We had returned to holding a single morning service at that time.  And in January of 2010 we installed and began using a new projection system for our worship services.  Then in that July we celebrated our 35th anniversary.

As we move forward past our first 35 years, we reflect on the blessings brought by the service and generosity of those who have been part of Harrison Hills.  The ultimate blessing has been to experience the faithfulness of God in all things.  We are especially honored to reflect upon Him - for our good, and for His glory.

• Summer 1974 - Mentored by Dr James Ryan

• February 1975 to April 1978 - Jerry Owens

• August 1978 to January 1981 - Lee McGlone

• May 1981 to Summer 1984 - David Farmer

• May 1985 to August 1990 - Dr. Sam Isgett

• August 1990 to July 1995 - Ron Burgess

• July 1995 to 1996 - Mike Talbert

• October 1996 to Apr 2000 - Brian Anderson

• May 2000 to May 2003 - Jon Elliff

• August 2003 to April 2007 - Dr. Jim Fisher

• February 2008 to Present - Gary Yochum

• Spring 1975 - Four (4) acres of property purchased (current location)

• May 1975 - Initial building erected

• 1977 - Additional Sunday School rooms added

• 1983 - Brick exterior put on the building

• 1994 - Baptistry addition added

• 1995 - Steeple erected

• 1997 - Picnic Shelter built

• 1998 - Parking lot paved

• 2002 - Classrooms, Lobby, and Offices added and Sanctuary expanded

• 2003 - Kitchen completed

• 2004 - Parking lot expanded

• 2005 - Classrooms and Fellowship Hall added

• 2010 - Projection system installed in Sanctuary