Who We Are   » Our Purpose » Our Promise » Our Profession » Our Staff » Our History   Our History 1963 A group of 13 people meeting in various homes established Birmingham Bible Church. The first gathering was held the first Sunday in March. 1966 The church called its first full-time pastor, Howard "Mickey" Park. 1968 The church secured the current property of 5 ½ acres which was near I-65 under construction. 1970 Upon completion of the building (current Fellowship Hall) the first service was held the first Sunday in March as Shades Mountain Bible Church. 1974 The two story connecting building (current 4-5 year old classes, Junior High Ministry, and Target Teams office area) was added 1979 An adult educational building (bottom floor of Kids' Place) was added. 1985 On January 13, a vote to proceed with a building program for a new sanctuary and educational space was proposed. 1986 On April 20, the church family participated in a ground breaking ceremony to mark the beginning of the new construction phase. 1987 March 1, the church family occupied and dedicated to the glory of God the new sanctuary and educational space. 1990 The Kids' Place was completed. 1995 Pastor Mickey Park retired after 29 years as Senior Pastor. 1996 In January, Dr. Gary S. Cramer, Jr. was called as Senior Pastor of Shades Mountain Bible Church. 1998 Having "paid in full" the LightHouse mortgage in January, an "IF" Campaign scheduled forthree years was begun on March 15 to eliminate mortgage indebtedness on the Kids' Place and Sanctuary. On May 1 the mortgage on the Kids' Place was fulfilled. 1999 March 7, the 36th Anniversary of Shades Mountain Bible Church, the family celebrated the mortgage retirement on the sanctuary making SMBC totally debt free! 2001 The new children's playground was dedicated March 4, 2001. 2002 Dr. Gary Cramer announced his resignation and call to Fellowship of Christian Athletes in August, 2002. 2003 Pastor Mickey Park resumes the role of Interim Senior Pastor in January. March 2, 2003 marks the 40th Anniversary of SMBC. 2003 Dr. Ronald A Gannett is installed as the Senior Pastor on September 7, 2003.