PORTAGE COMMUNITY CHAPEL
Church History

Portage Community Chapel’s ministry began in 1966 with the vision a group of people had to reach their neighbors, coworkers, family, friends, and the world for Christ. They first met in members’ homes to worship and by 1967 were able to hold services in the newly constructed First Baptist Church of Ravenna building. The founders dedicated themselves to financing and constructing the building. The local newspaper reported, “Everyone at one time or another during the year has taken time out of their lives to do a few hours work. The young people of the church also did their share... Other contributions of time and talent were made...” To those core members, the church was not just a nice-looking building, “but a building dedicated to the Lord, to be used by the Lord, for the Lord’s work.”
That dedication and vision carried through the years of ministry as the church grew and changed. Pastor Barry Shahan, the current Senior Pastor, became the sole full-time minister in 1976, 10 years after its beginning. The church started an AWANA program in 1983 and committed to expanding support of various missionaries worldwide. As the church family and ministry needs grew, the building was renovated to create more classrooms and update the nursery facility and sanctuary. Soon, the church had grown once again, holding two Sunday morning services because the sanctuary couldn’t accommodate everyone who attended. So, in 1985 the church family committed their finances, labor, and skills to construct a larger sanctuary and add much-needed educational space. As in the construction of the first building, everyone pitched in to help on the actual construction, whether they were skilled or just able to follow directions.
As it reached out and grew, the church became a group of people who lived not just in Ravenna but all over Portage county, so in 1987 the members voted to change their name to Portage Community Baptist to more accurately reflect both the membership and ministry. A full-time youth pastor was brought on in 1988. This move was another step of faith for the congregation, who saw the need for youth-directed ministry but who also had to financially commit to support another staff member. God rewarded their demonstration of faith as the youth ministry grew and more new ministries were begun. The church also expanded its global outreach by taking groups on short-term mission trips and by sending one of our own families as full-time missionaries to Paris, France.
The church changed its name once again, this time to Portage Community Chapel, clarifying its identity as a church not formally affiliated with a specific denomination. In the past five years our pastoral staff has grown to three: a Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor, and Youth/Worship Pastor. Our part-time staff also includes a Minister of Christian Education and a Minister of Missions.
God has blessed the vision and dedication of the church founders and those believers who have been part of building this church family during its 40 years. We are currently growing again – building a greatly expanded facility and gymnasium on the original building site. We look forward to seeing God grow our ministry in new and exciting ways as we serve Christ, representing Him to our community, our nation, and the world.