Charity Baptist Church - Dayton, Ohio |

Charity Baptist Church was founded on Mother's Day, 1977 by Dr. Greg Estep. He started it as a Bible study with some of the customers from his Christian bookstore, and the first service was held in the garage at his Beavercreek home. The church bought the North Fairfield Road building later that year, and new members came from all over the Dayton area.

Ministries grew to include prison work, a bible institute, campmeetings, a shipping ministry, mission support, public evangelism, and more. The bookstore became a part of the church, and books, music, and thousands of sermons were made available by a mail-order catalog. The media ministry continues to grow with the development of our newest website, www.CharityBaptistMedia.com.

Dr. Thomas Gresham succeeded Dr. Estep after his retirement in 2001. Additional ministries were started, including a deaf ministry. The church moved from its previous location to a more suitable facility to accommodate the expansion of the church's attendance and ministries.

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Part of the newspaper advertisement for Charity Baptist, 1977

Ad for Charity Baptist Bible Institute

The original N. Fairfield German Baptist building, c. 1977

North end of the building. The kids would go out after evening services and play Kick the Can here in the yard.

June 1978, after paint, shutters and church sign

South end

The two entrances to the right were built by the German Baptists - one door for men, the other for the ladies

Dr. Greg Estep, 1978

Congregation, c. 1978

Sign repainted, 1983

"Dearly beloved..."

Men singing, 1983. Dr. Michael Haunstein is in the wheelchair, with then-assistant Rick Hall on his right. Evangelist Jack Shuler is playing the guitar.