The History of
West Broadway Baptist Church

---

West Broadway Baptist Church traces its history back to September 1909. Rev. James A. White, a seminary student, led the group to erect a tent at 40th and Broadway for a meeting place and was then called as pastor. The church was organized under the wing of Broadway Baptist Church. The building was completed in 1916.

In the 1960s, after reaching a peak of 2005 members, the church started a downward trend in the midst of Urban Renewal and changing social conditions. The church, feeling a responsibility to the remaining members, struggled to remain in that location. Eventually the church sold the building to Burch Street Church of Christ in 1967 and purchased the property located in Spring Lake Farm on Six Mile Lane in Jeffersontown. 

Original West Broadway Baptist Church at 40th & Broadway circa. 1937

The first meeting after selling the old church was held in the Kennedy School on Taylorsville Road with 26 present. Ground was broken on November 17, 1968 for the new present sanctuary and the first service was held on June 8, 1969 with 175 present that morning. On June 4, 1978 the church celebrated the burning of the mortgage note less than ten years after it was built.

Three months later an addition to the present building began and was completed in December 1980 adding more Bible Study classroom space.  The latest addition was dedicated on August 12, 2001. The expansion included 26,000 feet, which consists of a gymnasium, elevator, new entrance, a new Fellowship Hall and meeting rooms.

The current pastor, Dr. Timothy Beougher, was called in October 2010.  The church is experiencing steady growth and is continuing the mission for which the church was founded over 100 years ago, honoring God and faithfully serving others in the community of Louisville and the world.