Our History

A Brief History of Ridge Baptist Church

Early records indicate a church (Meeting House) was established on the present church grounds June 1, 1849. A church building was erected between 1851 and 1853, and during the Civil War it was used as a hospital for the sick and wounded by the Confederacy. Window panes from the original building are found in the foyer of the present Sanctuary. Ridge Baptist Church was officially organized in 1878. During the 1920's additional Sunday School rooms were constructed. From 1949 to 1952 a sanctuary basement unit, a church parsonage and a new sanctuary were constructed. During the 1950's tremendous growth began in the community as housing developments and businesses moved further west and towards the church.

By 1957, due to continued growth, two worship services were held eachSunday and all available education space was utilized. This necessitated more construction. In 1962 the Activities Building (now, Creative LivingCenter) was added along with more parking spaces. On May 23, 1965, Milestone Day was celebrated which marked the complete curtailment of indebtedness. The present sanctuary was dedicated on May 7, 1967.

In 1983 women were ordained as deacons for the first time in the historyof the church, and an Arabic-speaking congregation was begun at Ridge.

On May 31, 1987, a note burning service for the retirement of the debton the present sanctuary was held. In the spring of 1988 Ridge sponsoredthe beginning of a mission church, now constituted as Wynbrook BaptistChurch.

Twenty-seven pastors have answered the call to serve Ridge. Reverend Meredith K. Roberson, Pastor Emeritus of Ridge, served the church for 30years, the longest tenure of any pastor. On March 1, 1992, Reverend TimothyT. Brendle assumed the responsibilities of pastor of Ridge Baptist Church.

As the community around Ridge changes, the church attempts to understand and minister to the people in the community in order to maintain a strong Christian witness and respond to the day-to-day needs of the community. Plans are under way for renovations and additions which will allow the church to minister more effectively as it moves into the 21st Century.