Early Beginnings
Our church history is very unique in that it grew out
of a seven-night-a-week ministry to servicemen during World War II.
Our founding pastor, George P. Atkins (at left) became involved in this ministry with his brother-in-law, Gilbert Howe (right). It was called Gi's for Christ, and it was held in a tabernacle-like structure on the farm of Clarence M. Shuey at Harpers, PA, just off the Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, now known as
Fort Indiantown Gap.
At first, George was involved with transporting soldiers from the reservation to the meeting place. During this time his dedication to the Lord and to the ministry grew.
It was at these meetings that he became acquainted with the piano player, Betty Emrich from Ono, PA. After a happy courtship, the two were married on July 3, 1943.
A similar type of ministry started at Great Lakes, IL and Gilbert and George traveled back and forth from Illinois and Pennsylvania so that both ministries could continue. In 1944, Gilbert decided to stay in Illinois, so he gave the Pennsylvania ministry over to George.
He and Betty were able to purchase used taxicabs from New York City to transport soldiers to and from the meetings.
As the Gospel was preached, the Lord blessed. Many soldiers would come forward after the message to make public confessions of faith.
Soon after the war ended, this unique ministry with the soldiers stopped.
However, the ministry at the Gospel Center kept right on going.
This included Sunday School, Sunday morning and evening services, and a Wednesday evening prayer service. In addition, there were often week long special services where special speakers were highlighted.
Next, a weekly radio ministry was started entitled “The Gospel in Song.”
It was packed with beautiful music and eventually included a television broadcast as well.
Mrs. Shirley Glick, "Aunt Shirley" and some of the young people that assisted her.
There were many various musical groups who performed live from the WLBR studio.
All of the musicians were either friends or family,
and they performed free of charge as a ministry to the Lord.
Doris Ulrich, Organist and Russ Atkins, Soloist
Rev. George P. Atkins
The Gospel was given by both word and music.
A New Vision
In l956, the people at the Gospel Center desired a more traditional type of church. After months of prayer, counsel, and the study of the Scripture, the decision to build became a reality.
Following ground the breaking ceremony, construction began.
Many hands and many hours of manual labor were involved moving materials into the job site.
A basement and first floor was constructed. Steel beams were lined up and placed with a truck crane.
Finally the building took shape.
Due to the generous consideration of a local businessman, the grounds near the cloverleaf of PA routes 22 & 72 were purchased and became the site of the church building.
The building was dedicated on November 24, 1957. The Lord provided the work of many godly men and women to not only build the church, but to be actively involved in the ministry.
George Atkins became the first pastor of the Jonestown Bible Church.
Sunday, November 24, began a week of nightly services as this program depicts.
Soon there were discussions regarding the growing need for more space. A concept drawing shows a possible design.
In 1966 a Sunday School wing was added to the original building which included a basement and first floor.
This expansion provided space needed for the growth of the ministry.
This arial photo shows the congregation and guests on the grounds for special meetings outdoors.
Vision Expansion
God placed a great burden on George’s heart to assist missionaries.
To this end he led many a work team to a foreign country to help build churches, and do whatever work needed done.
In l966 Pastor George came up with a unique idea for helping missionaries while they were on furlough. The idea was to have the church provide cars for them to use
to visit supporting churches and friends.
As word got out about this ministry, Christians began donating good used cars to the church.
When the ministry was at its peak, the fleet of cars numbered 123.
Eventually, the number of cars had to be drastically cut because of the rising cost of insurance.
George and Betty were blessed with 8 children consisting of 2 boys and 6 girls.
As the church family also grew, it was decided to add an assistant pastor. In October of 1971, Joseph and Janet Catani came to work along side the founders George and Betty Atkins.
A Trial by Fire
Through the early 1970's church life continued with weddings, funerals, baby dedications, baptismal services and church anniversaries.
From the very beginning the church’s motto has been “To God Be The Glory.”
Tragedy struck in the year of 1974 when a fire destroyed the church building
late Saturday night on November 9th.
Arson was suspected but it was never actually determined. One possibility mentioned in the newspaper was that the furnace was the cause.
Pastor George continued to encourage the people during this time.
Pastor Atkins was ready when on the Mickey Hains WLBR radio program the next morning he gently corrected her when she announced that "Last night the Jonestown Bible Church had burned!"
He was often reminding them that the real church was not the building, but God’s people who were saved by grace and bound together in Christian love.
He stated on the air that, "No Mickey, the building burned, not the church."
Four days after the fire the old remains began to be torn down to make way for the new building.
​Many people donated their time, talents and equipment to help with the rebuilding of the church.
Richard Blessing brought in his backhoe to assist in preparation of the site.
Beauty From Ashes
The program and photo from November 24, following the fire on November 9, 1974. (Editor's Note: newspaper photo caption and article had fire on Nov. 11 in error)
The chapel and adjacent barracks which were used for Sunday school.
Meanwhile, back at the church site, the new building preparations were underway.
Over $70,000 in donations came in as people heard about the fire through the many JBC radio and missionary outreaches going around the world.
Pastor Atkins addresses the congregation gathered for the ground-breaking ceremony.
Guy Krill, Pastor Atkins, Pastor Catani and Gleason Ritchie perform the ground-breaking for the new church building on Easter Sunday, March 30, 1975.
The new Sunday School wing is put under roof.
The beautiful, laminated, wood arched beams are placed for the sanctuary.
Church Builders Associates and the Weaber Construction Co., from Fleetwood, PA, were contracted to plan and build the new structure.
The construction company provided a supervisor and one worker.
Many from the congregation came out during the week to help and even more on Saturdays.
Paul Howard, Betty Atkins, June Gingrich and Kathy Lightner working at the construction site.
Saturdays, food, beverages and deserts were provided by many of the congregation for the workers.
A large portion of the construction was performed in-house by the congregation.
The building was constucted and move-in-ready in 8 months time.
The main entrance to the building was completed.
One year after the fire, the present building was designed and built.
The dedication took place on the 18th anniversary, November 23, 1975.
A New Begining
Pastor George and Betty Atkins with Pastor Joe and Janet Catani.
Special Guest Speaker Robert Lightner and Special Music and Songwriter Alfred B. Smith.
All is ready for the 18th Anniversary and new building Dedication Services.
Betty Atkins at the grand piano
Doris Ulrich at the Hammond organ
Pastor Joe and Janet Catani
Betty Atkins and Pastor George Atkins