Salem Baptist Church — History
Salem Baptist Church is a member church of the Great Lakes Baptist Conference which is affiliated with the Baptist General Conference, a multi-ethnic fellowship of believers in over 1000 churches in the United States and the Caribbean Islands.
The early roots of the BGC extend back to Swedish immigrants coming to the United States in the 1850s. Today the BGC is made up of 14 geographical districts and world class missionary agency of over 200 missionaries serving in 14 countries around the world.
Rev. Elmer Johnson, Church Extension Director of the Great Lakes District, provided the early vision of Salem Baptist Church. Through his encouragement a small core group started services on April 29, 1962. By 1965 Salem had outgrown its rented facilities and needed a full-time pastor. In the years that followed, Salem experienced building programs, membership growth, and the beginning of several significant ministries in the Chippewa Valley.