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Portage Community Chapel began as a Baptist church plant in 1966 established as First Baptist of Ravenna. A small group of individuals purchased the property that PCC now stands on and a pole building was built initially to have covered worship services.
In 1976, Barry Shahan accepted the call as lead pastor and helped the church grow to new heights by adding several ministries including AWANA in 1983 as well as physical expansion that included more classrooms, a nursery facility, and an updated sanctuary.
Another expansion came in 1985 to construct what is now the sanctuary, narthex, and children’s wing. Then in 1987, the church was renamed and branded Portage Community Baptist Church to more accurately reflect both the membership and ministry. Soon after Mark Miller was hired as the full-time youth pastor.
In the early 90s, new ministries were beginning to take shape locally and the church began expanding its global ministry by taking groups on summer missions trips and sending out the first full-time PCC missionary to Paris, France.
By 1999, the church decided it needed to move away from the Baptist denomination and became non-denominational.
In 2006, the church was experiencing growth and moved to expand once again by adding a 35,000 square foot facility with classrooms, kitchen, gymnasium, and room to grow. Led by Tim Miller and many people within the church, construction was completed in 2010.
Pastor Barry Shahan reached retirement in 2013 and transitioned the lead pastor position to Pastor Mark. Pastor Barry became Pastor Emeritus after 37 years leading and continues teaching at PCC.
By 2015, the church began a campaign to meet the needs in the county by investing in the creation of a homeless shelter. PCC helped with the founding of the Haven of Portage County as well as the purchase of the current property in Ravenna, OH. The Haven officially opened its doors April 20, 2022.
In 2022, Pastor Mark Miller retired as lead pastor after serving for 33 faithful years at PCC.
With the support of the elder board and former Chapel Pastor Knute Larson, Ray Sigworth was voted in as lead pastor by the congregation on March 20, 2022.
