Harmony Baptist Church at 746 N Hawkinson Ave Galesburg, IL
Harmony Baptist Church has a rich history dating back to 1956. Our history is intrinsically tied to the history of Bethany Baptist Church of Galesburg, IL.
On November 4, 1956, approximately 65 people from the East Main Street Congregational Church organized a new church called the Bethany Congregational Church to better reflect conservative biblical teaching and practice. They met in a small house on Irwin Street, Galesburg.
The first sermon was given by Missionary Oscar Cunningham.
Dr. Paul Tassell
Ten days later, Oscar and his wife Gladys left Galesburg for Ava, Missouri, as Bethany’s first missionaries. They started and directed Camp Joy in Whitewater, Wisconsin.
Dr. Paul Tassel came as Bethany’s first full-time pastor. In 1961, the church voted to change the name to Bethany Baptist Church. After Dr. Tassel accepted another pastorate in 1965, Dr. George Nulph came as pastor and the church purchased the St. Joseph Academy at 590 South Academy Street.
Pastor John and Anita Carlson
In 1977, John Carlson became the pastor and over the next ten years, a small gymnasium, office area, and a large classroom wing were built. The classrooms housed the Bethany Christian Academy until 1996.
Pastor Bob Eshelman
Harmony Baptist Church of Galesburg began in 1996 with 15 families from Bethany Baptist. Pastor Bob Eshelman pastored Harmony Baptist from 1996-2012.
During that time, Harmony Baptist first met at the Hungry Hobo (now Boxcar Express) and then rented the White Oaks school until the purchase of the building at 1530 Brown Ave. In 2016, the Galesburg Christian school sold the building at 746 N Hawkinson Ave to Harmony Baptist.
Pastor Chris Nissley
Pastor TJ and wife Haley
Pastor Chris Nissley came to serve with us in 2013. Pastor Chris has overseen significant growth at Harmony. With the addition of several younger families, in 2016 Harmony brought on its first full-time youth pastor, Pastor TJ Mechling, to serve their unique spiritual needs.
In 2023, under the leadership of Pastor Greg Bartlett, Bethany Baptist sold 590 S Academy to the Galesburg Christian School and the church voted to join with Harmony Baptist, with Pastor Greg becoming an assistant pastor alongside Pastor Chris and Pastor TJ.
Pastor Greg Bartlett and his wife Ruth and family
With the Lord Jesus Christ as head and leader of Harmony Baptist, we endeavor to serve God and see Him glorified in the Galesburg, IL community.