Hubbard Lake Baptist Church History

In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s there were a number of people in the Hubbard Lake area praying for a Bible teaching, Gospel preaching church to be established in Hubbard Lake.

On June 12, 1981, the Alpena News featured an article and an advertisement introducing Thunder Bay Baptist Chapel and its Pastor, Jim Murphy.  It read:

“Pastor Jim Murphy, former minister of Marine City Baptist Chapel, is starting a new church in Alpena.  Meetings of the Thunder Bay Baptist Chapel are set Sundays at Van Lare Hall on the Alpena Community College campus, beginning June 28th at 8:30am.  Bible study follows at 9:45am.  The new church is sponsored by Onaway Baptist Chapel and is part of the Southern Baptist denomination.  ‘The primary ministries of the church will be Bible teaching, training and equipping, family life, and evangelistic outreach,’ Murphy said.  He, his wife and two children have purchased a home in Herron.”

A number of the individuals that had been praying for a church in Hubbard Lake attended the first service of Thunder Bay Baptist Chapel.  In time, since a large number of people came from the Hubbard Lake area, services commenced in Hubbard Lake at the Community Center, with Pastor Murphy serving both Chapels.

By the spring of 1983 it was clear to members of both Chapels that the Lord was raising up a church to proclaim His Gospel and His Word in Hubbard Lake.  The Chapel in Alpena closed with all the members joining the work in Hubbard Lake.  Land was purchased and dedicated with thanksgiving for answered prayers.  In the coming months a building was raised and a sign put out in front announcing the arrival of Hubbard Lake Baptist Church.  In addition to local funds and volunteer labor, teams of volunteers came from Southern Baptist Churches in Tennessee to provide labor and funds for the new building.  By December 1983 the congregation celebrated its first Christmas in the new church building.

The church has been served by the following pastors:

James Murphy      June 1981 – December 1983
Brian Becker      June 1984 – January 1997
Roger Bodary      November 1997 – August 2000
Paul Roberts      July 2001 – January 2006
Michael Wigle      July 2006 - present