About Us

Who We Are

Longville Bible Chapel is a Northwoods community of faith firmly grounded in the truth of the Bible, God’s Holy Word. We are a connected group of believers, united not only by our shared faith in Christ but also by genuine relationships. In that sense, we are more than a congregation. We are family.

Those who gather here are not simply people who attend a church down the street. We are a family of believers who love and care for one another, support one another, and seek to encourage each other as we walk together in our daily spiritual journey.

As believers, we are all part of the universal Body of Christ. Here in Longville, we live that out as a local body of believers, committed to growing in faith together and caring for one another as family.

Our Story

Longville Bible Chapel began in 1954, when Northern Gospel Mission launched a new church in the city of Longville. What started with about a dozen people meeting in homes soon became a growing community of faith. Walter Davis served as the Bible Chapel’s first pastor, and early gatherings took place in a simple room built over tree stumps. These were people with vision and a heart to serve the Lord in whatever way they could.

After six years of faithful service, Walter Davis was called to another church in 1960. That same year, Bill Payne was called to serve as pastor. Bill, along with his wife Margaret and their family, faithfully served the Bible Chapel for 38 years, from 1960 until his retirement in 1998. There was a brief exception from 1963 to 1964, when Bill pursued ministry in missionary aviation. During that time, Bob Bowers and his wife, Darlene, served as pastor. Bill returned to the Bible Chapel in 1964 and continued his long and fruitful ministry.

Throughout Bill Payne’s tenure, the church experienced steady growth. It grew in the number of people in the congregation, in its ministry to the local community, and in its support of foreign missions. Following Bill’s retirement, the church called Levi Durfey to serve as pastor in 1999. As a young man fresh out of seminary, Levi came with enthusiasm and a desire to serve. He and his wife, Tami, along with their children, served the church faithfully for six years. In the fall of 2005, the Lord called Pastor Levi to a church in Montana.

In the fall of 2006, Longville Bible Chapel called Mike Partch to serve as pastor. Mike and his wife Carrie are natives of Colorado and had spent the previous 16 years living, working, and completing college and seminary studies in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Longville Bible Chapel has long been known for its commitment to the Bible as God’s Word. Scripture is held as the supreme authority for the believer’s life, and the church’s members desire to learn the Bible and live in obedience to it. The Bible Chapel is also committed to supporting gospel-preaching missionaries and partners with several missionaries serving around the world.

One thing has remained especially clear throughout the church’s history: the people of Longville Bible Chapel are family. Buildings may come and go, but it is the ministry of the people that remains. The church is not defined by its buildings, but by the people who make up the body of believers and carry the ministry forward today.