Grace Reformed Baptist Church’s origin dates to 1963, when a small group of believers purchased land on Buckhorn Road in Mebane, North Carolina. There they built a new church building with seating for approximately 175 people. It opened its doors as Community Baptist Church in October, 1965.
In 1970, the pastor became ill, and requested that Piedmont Bible College send someone to fill the pulpit. The vice-president of the college recommended that one of his students, Gary Hendrix, be sent. Gary’s preaching, especially the message of God’s sovereignty and free grace was warmly received by many of the church’s leaders. When the original pastor of Community Baptist Church resigned in June due to illness, the leadership soon issued a call to Gary in September 1970. The church was soon given a new name—Free Grace Tabernacle—to reflect the emphasis of the preaching. Several years later, the church once again changed its name, this time to Grace Reformed Baptist Church.