Lighthouse Baptist Church began as a “Street Missions” ministry. Pastor Bannister and his father reached out to the addicts and the people on the streets of Utica, New York. Meeting in an old broken down abandoned house on Elm St., that was bought from the city for $1. Having services and then cooking hotdogs for all in attendance.
After a few months the Lord pressed upon Pastor Bannister’s heart to start a church. Lighthouse Baptist Church was established in May of 1996. Lighthouse Baptist Church’s name had special meaning to Pastor Bannister. The Bible College he graduated from, which was also the affiliated church he attended, in San Diego, Ca., was named Lighthouse Baptist Church, under Pastor Doug Fisher. This is where he was ordained to preach.
That old broken down building that had no heat or water, obviously did not have restrooms. Solution, between Sunday School and Church services, everyone would take a walk to Burger King for restrooms and maybe grab a cup of coffee to warm up.
Sleeves were pulled up and much elbow grease was used in fixing up the broken down building and by summer, 30 people were faithfully attending. Three years later, God opened the door to purchase the old Gold Top Bakery on South Street. God showed up in amazing ways regarding the purchase of that building. Many memories and growth happened in that building: 30 day revivals, lots of big bus days and sweet fellowships. But we were running out of room.
So, after 10 years the Lord showed and orchestrated a miraculous move to Kossuth Ave. The former Catholic buildings of St Agnes’s Church, a total of four buildings: the Sanctuary, the Rectory, Convent and the school. God grew our church families faith tremendously, in order to buy and maintain such a large property.
Lighthouse Baptist Church has now been at 701 Kossuth Ave for 12 Amazing years. The Lord has been so good to us, sending faithful workers and givers. This year of 2021 celebrates 25 years as Lighthouse Baptist Church.
Through the next 25 years, if the Lord tarries, we at Lighthouse will continue to Serve our Community with Truth, Grace & Love! "We love him, because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19
