New church for Chatham

At a time where most churches are experiencing declining congregations, with some facing closure, two new Chatham residents have opted to open a new church.

Pastor Mike and Bernadette Grady have recently opened the Chatham Baptist Chapel on Richmond Street.

It’s big enough to hold services for more than 40 people, but not too big so overhead expenses are overpowering.

After the couple first moved here in early 2023, they attended Ridgetown Baptist Church. The people there ultimately gave their blessing for the Gradys to branch out and open a church in Chatham.

Located at 330 Richmond St., Unit 105, Chatham Baptist Chapel offers services six days a week, including 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Sundays, and perform an evangelism outreach on Saturday afternoons.

Mike said the services are relatively informal.

“We want to give people a time for fellowship. Come in, have a coffee and a donut and talk, have a prayer,” he said.

In terms of outreach, Mike said they’ve been in touch with other outreach groups who provide aid to the homeless.

“We’re going to network with those people for the sharing of resources,” he said.

The Gradys plan on starting by making up “survival” kits, which would include a sleeping bag, some clothing and hygiene products. Mike said sponsors make such efforts possible.

Eventually, they’d like to have a trailer they could set up in the parking lot beside Rotary Park where a homeless encampment exists and hand out food.

The Gradys are no strangers to running outreach churches. In fact, for 24 years, they ran St. Jamestown Community Church in the rough Regent Park section of Toronto.

In Toronto, while running the church, Mike sold real estate in his day job.

“We took no salary or funds from the church. I sold real estate. That helped us to survive and it helped keep the church doors open,” he said.

Selling real estate ultimately helped him find God.

“We were changed by God when we heard the gospel. Jesus saves sinners. I was one big time,” he said.

Bernadette said it has left them with a place in their hearts for “the lost. “We know God can change them.”

Grady said they heard from God, and opted to rent space and open the doors of their Toronto outreach church.

And for two dozen years, they served the community, delivering sermons, Sunday school and food for those in need.

They also worked with people dealing with addiction to get into rehab programs across the province.

But why open a new church in Chatham? The Gradys said they first and foremost moved here to downsize their lives, but saw the need to help others was present here too.

“We knew we were coming to the age of retirement. We wanted to secure a house for ourselves,” Mike said.