A Brief History of Westside Baptist Church

The Church's Founding

Early in 1979, Pastor Greg Kaminski and his wife, Janie, came to Eugene from Greenville, South Carolina, with a desire to start and Independent, Fundamental church for the Lord. The first service was held on April 29, 1979, in a classroom at Willamette High School. There were 22 people present. In September of 1979, Westside Baptist Church was organized with 28 charter members.

Our Building

During the next two years, the church continued to meet at Willamette High School on Sundays and in the garage at the Kaminski home on Wednesday evenings. In April of 1981, the Lord blessed this church by making available a piece of property at 1310 Echo Hollow Road. On the property was an old farm house which was converted into classroom, auditorium, and office space.

The church continued to grow and a building program for a new auditorium was begun in August of 1982. The new building is located just to the south of the original building, and it was built as the funds were available. The first service in the new building was in April of 1983. The original building continues to house classrooms, offices, kitchen, and the prophet's chamber.

Over the years, God has continued to bless this church. In April of 1990, ten years ahead of schedule, the original mortgage for the property was paid off. This left the church completely debt free.

Current and Future Opportunities

God has also seen fit to allow this church to have a ministry to young people throughout the Northwest. Under the direction of Pastor Kaminski, August, 1979, was the first year of operation for Camp Northwest. Over the years, the camp has grown so that now several hundred young people take part in the camping program each summer. This has been a life changing experience for many young people.

Other ministries of the church also include a discount bookstore, a support group for home schoolers, a tape ministry, a visitation program, a children's church, a teen program, a senior fellowship for those 55 years of age and older, and an active music ministry.

It is the desire of Westside Baptist Church to have worship services and other programs that will draw all people to the Lord for salvation and that will encourage believers to be the men, women, and children that God would have them to be.