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. In December of 2001, we completed the first phase of our Facility Expansion Program — a new Worship Center, lobby, and storage areas. The new Children’s Ministry Center was completed in September 2005.

Lead pastors who served during this time were Rev. Gordon Shipp, Rev. Leland Hufhand, Rev. James Collins, and Dr. Jim Vogel. 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, Wade Yocum, Don Chapin, and Brandon Barnes as Youth Pastors; and Leo Griffin, Jim Collins, Sr., Brad Pellish and William Payne as Pastor of Outreach and Visitation. Cindy Johns and Stephanie Black, and Matt Dieterle have served as Children’s Ministry Director. Stephanie is the current Family Ministries Director. Pastor Larry Burk joined our staff in 1990, overseeing the music and worship ministries. He served at South for 29 years, concluding his ministry here mid-July.   Pastor Scott Snyder became our Lead Pastor in August 2010.