It had previously been a Sunday school mission of Fountain Street Baptist Church started in 1875.

Van Osdel had pastored the church years before, but when the congregation refused to follow his lead and erect a new building, he had left for Spokane, Washington.

It was the birthplace to Grand Rapids Baptist College, a predecessor to what is now called Cornerstone University, and served as its home from 1941 to 1964.

During his 14 years of ministry he and his wife renewed the heart of the church, stabilizing its membership, as well as shaping the congregation into a close family of believers.

[3] The remaining members, under the leadership of Pastor William J. Swem, felt led of the Lord to start over completely, and planted a new independent Baptist church in Plainfield Township, meeting for several months in a school building before finally settling in to a new location on Woodworth St, just off of Plainfield Avenue.