Ballwin Baptist Church

On September 14, 1952, at 2:30 in the afternoon a group of Christians that included Rev. C. J. Ketchum, Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Rev, O. E. Johnson, Pastor of Meramec Heights Baptist Church, and Rev. O. A. Winscott, Pastor of Rock Hill Baptist Church, met together in the old Post Office in Ballwin for the purpose of organizing a mission in Ballwin, Missouri. After a proper discussion, it was determined that a mission was needed in Ballwin, and Rock Hill Baptist Church was asked to sponsor and mother the new work. Work was begun and for a time the new mission continued to meet in the old Post Office building in Ballwin. (this building was on the North side of Manchester Road, just east of Holloway Road. It has since been torn down)

Brother George Throgmorton was called to pastor the new mission and the mission soon outgrew the old Post Office building. A move was made to larger quarters above a hardware store in Manchester, just west of the intersection of Highway 141 and Manchester Road. This historic building still stands in the heart of Manchester, Missouri and is now the Manchester City Hall. Brother Throgmorton resigned in July, 1953, and Brother William E. Woodson was called to pastor the mission.

Ground breaking ceremonies were held at 535 Manchester Road (now 15101 Manchester Road) on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1955. The new building was occupied on March 11, 1956. Ballwin Baptist Church was formally constituted on March 18, 1956 with Brother Woodson as Pastor. The church was dedicated on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1956. Rev. O.R. Shields, Pastor of Lafayette Park Baptist Church, was the dedication speaker. During Brother Woodson's leadership, the church purchased 108 Shirley Lane for future Sunday School space. Brother Woodson resigned in March, 1957, Brother Bob Smith became Pastor on March 24, 1957. During his ministry, the church continued to grow and maintained it's vision for the future by purchasing 111 Shirley Lane. A building expansion was added to the first building during Brother Smith's tenure. Brother Smith served as Pastor until July, 1960. At that time, he and Mrs. Smith were accepted by the Foreign Mission Board as missionaries to Brazil.

Ballwin continued to grow under the able leadership of Brother Robert Capra.

1960's 

During the ministry of Robert Capra, the church purchased 113 Shirley Lane to be used as the pastor's home. Brother Capra served from August 1960 to November 1961.  Brother R. Frank Branson became the next Pastor in February, 1962. On September 23, 1962, ground breaking services for the third building unit of the church were conducted. This unit (now the Youth/Children's Wing) included an air-conditioned auditorium with seating for 500 and Sunday School space in the basement. This unit was occupied on July 14, 1963. The old auditorium was remodeled for educational and office space. The completion of this unit gave Ballwin a total Sunday School capacity of 600. Sunday School enrollment at that time was 845, and the Church membership was 580. Brother Branson resigned during the Summer of 1965.

Brother Gene Crewse became Pastor in December, 1965. Under his able leadership the church continued to grow. In February, 1968, the church purchased 344 Cherry Hill Drive as a new Pastor's home.

1970's 

The church purchased 115 and 117 Shirley Lane in May, 1970. In June, 1969, the church called Ray Taylor as it's first Minister of Music and Youth. He led the way for Ballwin to have multiple staff, a tradition that has continued to this day. It was during his pastorate that a ministry to the deaf was begun. He resigned in July, 1975.

Brother Dan Springfield became Pastor on January 4, 1976. During his ministry, Ballwin began to show rapid growth, and required a fourth building unit to be constructed. The ground was broken in 1976 for the latest building addition, our current auditorium and fellowship hall. The new 900+ seat Auditorium and Fellowship Hall was dedicated and occupied in 1977. During Brother Springfield's pastorate, the church called Jim Grayson as Minister of Music and Youth. The church also called Brother Ken Ballard as Associate Pastor with the major responsibility for the flourishing bus ministry. Brother Jim Grayson resigned in 1977 and Brother Ken Ballard assumed responsibility for the Youth Ministry. Brother Dan and his wife, Sandy, left Ballwin in May, 1978, for service in full-time evangelism.

Brother Ken Ballard was called as Pastor in 1978. During his ministry, the church called Rev. Jerry Jessen as Minister of Music and Youth. The church continued to show slow but steady growth during this period. The decision was made to sell the pastor's home at 344 Cherry Hill Drive and to assist the current and future pastors with a housing allowance. Brother Ballard resigned in the Summer of 1979.

1980's 

Brother Bob Alexander was called as Pastor in January, 1980. Under his leadership, the church called it's first Minister of Education, Brother Jim Brent. He served from 1981 to 1982. In 1981, the church called Brother Jeff Purvis as Minister of Youth and Outreach. Brother Eddie Lee was called as Minister of Education and Administration in 1982. Brother Lee resigned in 1984. The church called Dr. Bruce Morrison as Minister of Education and Family Ministry in 1986. Brother Bob Alexander resigned in October, 1988, and Brother Purvis resigned in December, 1988. Dr. Bob Curtis, began his ministry at Ballwin in July, 1989, and has provided able and Godly leadership to move Ballwin Baptist Church thru the 90's and into the new millennium.

1990's 

During the anniversary celebration in 1991, the church burned it's note, signifying being debt free. In 1994 a master site plan was developed. As a first step in this plan, the buildings at 115 and 117 Shirley Lane were razed to make way for a new, expanded parking area and provide for future expansion. In 1996, adjacent land on Mark Twain Drive was acquired. Rev. Mike Hubbard was called in 1993 to be Youth Minister. In 1998, Christy Nance was called to be Director of Children's Ministries. Chris Harmon was called in 1999 to be Singles Minister. His resignation was accepted in 2000.

2000's 

Following Bruce Morrison's retirement, Christy Nance was called to add to her position as Director of Children's ministries and assume the role of Church Administrator.  Then, following Jerry Jessen's retirement, Greg Judd was called to serve as Minister of Music and Media in August, 2002, and served until the summer of 2005.
In 2004, Steve Solstad was called to serve as Associate Pastor: College/Singles Minister from Oklahoma.   In 2005, Rev. Mike Hubbard left Ballwin to start Genisis church in the Eureka area.   In the fall of 2006, Chris Greenhagen was called to lead as Associate Pastor: Youth and Education from Green Valley Church outside Kansas City.  In February of 2007, Ballwin welcomed its newest member to the staff.  Bill Pauley began his ministry at Associate Pastor: Worship & Media after a 17 year placement in Louisville, KY.  In the fall of 2007, Dr. Bob Curtis, was called to a ministry in Mississippi after 18 years at Ballwin.   Steve Solstad has assumed the role of Interim Pastor.