Zanesville First Baptist Church on the Move

The First Baptist Church in downtown Zanesville has a new location. 

Originally, Pastor Joe Seese said the property at 80 E. Main Street in South Zanesville was meant to be a second location, but after being approached by Dutro Ford, the church decided to sell the property in downtown where the church has had worship for nearly two centuries. 

"There’s a lot of mixed feelings," Seese said. "A lot of memories connected with this place and the ministries we’ve had here. Last Sunday we had a celebrating our legacy type of celebration, and we tried to emphasize that this is a celebration of what we’ve done here for all these years and also see those years as preparation for what we’ll be doing in the future."

Seese said while the church is moving locations, it’s not to separate from the church’s history but rather to continue the growth of its family. 

"One thing we always try to communicate is we’re a family," Seese said. "We try to do everything together. We may not all see eye to eye, but we do things together as a family, just like you have a family, everyone has family. We may not see eye to eye, but we’re committed to one another and being able to incorporate everybody. It’s just a way of affirming the fact that we’re in this together."

The service Sunday morning will begin downtown, and half way through the service, members will carry the alter pieces out and lead a procession to the new location in South Zanesville where the service will conclude.