Our History

HISTORY OF WEST COVINGTON BAPTIST CHURCH

  • In 1939, the Third and Crescent Mission was started in Covington Kentucky, with a group no larger than a Bible class in most churches.
  • In 1947, the Ludlow Baptist Church assisted the mission under the leadership of  Bro. Thomas H. Shelton.
  • Bro. Chase Jennings assumed leadership of the mission in 1952.
  • The First Baptist Church of Covington sponsored the mission work at the Third and Crescent location. The mission started with Sunday School, then added a worship service.
  • Bro. Robert Campbell was called as pastor in 1957, and served until 1959. The First Baptist Church of Covington ended their support in 1960. A group of Christians met on June 26, 1960, and after much prayer felt it was God’s will to carry on with the mission.
  • Bro. Luther Fox was called as pastor and a building fund was started. In 1961, Bro. Fox resigned.
  • On January 1, 1962 the mission moved to 1001 Highway Ave., and became the West Covington Baptist Chapel. Bro. Chase Jennings, Bro. William Smith, and Bro. Wayne Byland served during this time.
  • On March 18, 1964 Bro. Richard Rand was called as pastor. In February of 1965 Bro. Ralph Jones became Associate Pastor of the chapel. First Baptist Church of Walton and First Baptist Church of Cold Spring became sponsors and assisted the pastors and their people.
  • On April 9, 1965 plans were completed to purchase the frame residence at 1003 Highway Ave. The building was remodeled in 1966 to provide an auditorium and classrooms.
  • The first worship service was held on November 20, 1965 in the building at 1003 Highway Ave.
  • The West Covington Baptist Chapel became the West Covington Baptist Church on January 15, 1967. Attendance at this time had grown to over one hundred in Sunday School, and income was close to $400.00 each week. Serving as pastor at this time was Bro. Rand.
  • Bro. Rand resigned in 1967 and Bro. Ralph Jones was called as pastor and served faithfully until 1973 when he resigned.
  • Bro. Lucien Hornsby was called as pastor in 1973 and under his leadership a new building was started at 1003 Highway Ave. The church was able to hold services in the basement of the new building in August of 1975. The beautiful brick structure was dedicated on October 12, 1975.
  • Bro. Lucien Hornsby resigned in 1976.
  • Bro. Steve Cummins, Bro. Dan Lane, and Bro. Charles Mitchell served as pastors between 1976 and 1985.
  • Bro. Ralph Jones was called as interim pastor and was called as pastor once again on September 1, 1985.
  • On August 7, 1991 at the monthly business meeting, the attending members of the West Covington Baptist Church voted unanimously to direct Pam Northcutt, Church Treasurer, to transfer $2,681.74 from the building fund reserve to pay the remaining debt on our church building.
  • The vision of so many for so long, had now become a reality. Following the business meeting the people sang ” To God Be The Glory, Great Things He Hath Done!”
  • Immediate preparation began for a note burning service at our annual church Homecoming on October 27, 1991.
  • Bro. Ralph Jones resigned in 1994.
  • Bro. Arnold Rider was called as Interim Pastor in 1995.
  • Bro. Ernest Harris is called as pastor in 1995.
  • Bro. Ernest Harris resigned in 1999.
  • Bro. Terry Leap is called as pastor in 2000.
  • Bro. Terry Leap resigned in 2002.
  • Bro. Chuck Overton was called as pastor in 2003.

A Brief History of the Chapel

Otherwise Known as the Third and Crescent Baptist Mission

At the January 1960 business meeting of First Baptist Church, Covington, the Mission or Chapel asked for additional services. Summarily, the matter was referred to the Board of Deacons and the church voted at its’ February Business meeting ( on recommendation from the Deacons ) to await the calling of a Pastor before again considering the matter.

The owners of the property at Third and Crescent having suggested an increase in our rent if we continue to use both floors, at our April 6 business meeting it was decided to continue to rent the building, using the first floor only, and to continue our Sunday School and morning worship service.

Following the calling of Dr. Sherrill Stevens, his considered option as well as the consensus of opinion of the Deacons was that the morning worship service at the chapel should be discontinued and such recommendation was presented to the church at the June 8 business meeting. The proposal meet with defeat being voted down by a vote of 64 – 60 and on recount 66 – 58. Before the meeting adjourned Dr. Stevens served notice that there would be a call meeting for June 15 to again consider the matter; however, the meeting was not held until June 22 at which time the recommendation from the Deacons was “that the chapel be released from its connections with the church” ( extract from Dr. Stevens’ pastoral letter of June 20, 1960).

At the June 22 call meeting, by standing vote, the body concurred in the recommendation of the Deacons that the chapel be released from its’ connections with the church, effective midnight June 26, 1960, with all property of First Baptist Church to be removed from the mission on or after June 30, 1960.

(Thus after 7and 1/2 years First Baptist Church disannulled its sponsorship of the Third and Crescent Baptist Mission.)

THE CHAPEL ACTS - 6/26/1960 - MEETING AT 3:00P.M.

  • Evelyn Rapier
  • Josie Morrow
  • Evelyn Witt
  • Lucy Fryman
  • Evelyn Smith
  • Rubie Fox
  • Carl Fryman
  • Mrs. Nelson F. Campbell
  • Mrs. Emmet H. Maphet
  • Mrs. Jean Jones
  • Mrs. Thes Jones
  • Mrs. Christine Reams
  • Mrs. Allene Thomas
  • Mr. Elmer Kuhn
  • Mrs. Donna French
  • Billy French
  • Herman Sloan
  • Ancil Jones
  • Arthur L. Jones
  • Conley C. Reams
  • Herman Rapier
  • Gene Thomas
  • Arnold Smith
  • Lois M. Lee
  • Edward P. Lee Jr.
  • Mrs. Arnold Smith
  • Luther E. Fox

altogether 27 present plus 2 children

At 3:00 p.m. Sunday, June 26, 1960 a meeting convened on the second floor, Third and Crescent, to determine what to do since First Baptist Church had withdrawn its sponsorship of the chapel. Twenty – five votes were cast in favor of continuing the work and expanding the program with the hope that in time a church will evolve and come to be recognized as a Southern Baptist Church and a member church of North Bend Association of Kentucky Baptist.

Provision was announced for any who join the work on Profession of Faith, Promise of Letter, By Statement, or ant other ways Baptist receive individuals into their fellowship.

Rev. Luther Fox was called at a salary of $60 per week  when it was ascertained by secret vote of the twenty – five individuals present that a weekly budget of $88.50 had been pledged.

Gene Thomas
Church Clerk

vote 25 to 2