Church History

South Baptist Church began as a mission work of North Baptist Church on November 1, 1922. Services were initially conducted at the Lincoln School building. The name of the church at the time was the Baptist Evangelistic Church. Reverend Clyde Baldwin was the first pastor of the church.

In May of 1923, a new building was erected on Belvidere Street. The following business item was recorded on the official church minutes of November 7, 1927: "Moved and supported that we change the name of our church, Baptist Evangelistic, to the South Baptist Church." Pastors who served at this location included Rev. Guy Harris, Rev. Clyde Baldwin, Rev. Fred Smith, Rev. Ralph Montague, Rev. Oscar Smith, Rev. A. M. Gibson, and Rev. Ewing Walters.

Outgrowing the facilities on Belvidere Street, South Baptist erected a new building on South Saginaw Street in 1946 with the dedication services being held on January 26, 1947. Reverend Ewing Walters was the pastor during this expansion period. Reverend Charles Paulsley succeeded Rev. Walters in 1954 and served until 1960. Reverend Kenneth Elgena began his ministry in March of 1961.

Experiencing continued growth, South Baptist Church engaged in a new building project and moved to its present location on Van Slyke Road in 1967. A new Sunday School wing was added in 1968 and the gymnasium was added in 1978. Other pastors who served during this time were Rev. Gordon Shipp, Rev. Leland Hufhand, and Rev. James Collins. Associate pastors included Tim Vermilyea, Irv Van Hooser, and Lee Kliewer as Ministers of Music; Gary Moosey, Russ Howard, Stan Manus, Mark Sigmon, Terry Madigan, and Wade Yocum as Youth Pastors; and Leo Griffin, Jim Collins, Sr., and Brad Pellish as Pastor of Outreach and Visitation.

Pastor Larry Burk joined our staff in 1990, overseeing the music and worship ministries. In July of 1995, Dr. Jim Vogel answered the call to serve as Lead Pastor. He served in that capacity until July 2007. In December of 2001, we completed the first phase of our Facility Expansion Program — a new Worship Center, lobby, and storage areas. Pastor Don Chapin was called to be our Student Ministries Pastor in November 2002. The most recent addition to our staff is Will Payne, who gives leadership to our evangelism, discipleship, and assimilation ministries. The new Children's Ministry Center was completed in September 2005.