Why does Mayfield Road Baptist Church stand here today? It started with a small group. They gathered with a shared vision in mind.
Let’s explore the story of Mayfield Road Baptist Church together. Its journey is one of faith community and growth. In November 1972 Mayfield Road Baptist Mission began. Seventy-three people attended Sunday school. They met at Amos Elementary School. Rev Bill Hamilton served as mission pastor.
Soon they began work on a new building. It was located at 1701 E Mayfield Road. On June 10 1973 the congregation worshipped in the new building for the first time. Rev Hamilton resigned. Dr Jimmie Nelson became interim pastor in August.
Rev Bennie Slack became the first full-time pastor on December 2 1973. Bill Grisham began as part-time minister of music and youth. The church became self-supporting after one year. On September 8 1974 it concluded its mission status.
The growing mission became Mayfield Road Baptist Church. This happened with an unanimous vote. They adopted a constitution and bylaws. Space became a pressing need as the church grew. On March 17 1976 they launched a Together We Build campaign. They aimed to raise funds for a new educational building. Construction began in June. It was completed on February 20 1977.
Bonds were issued for a new 500-seat auditorium. Construction started in October 1979. The congregation first worshipped in the new auditorium on May 3 1981. Rev Slack resigned on January 24 1982. He had a very successful ministry at Mayfield Road. Dr Nelson was called as interim pastor again.
Dr Bob Maddox became pastor in April 1982. He began on June 27 1982. After nineteen months Dr Maddox resigned. He accepted a position with Americans United for Separation of Church and State. It was in Washington D.C.
For the third time Dr Nelson served as interim pastor. On August 1 1983 Rev Frank Ashby took the field as pastor. Mayfield Road Baptist Church celebrated its tenth anniversary. This was on September 10 1984. Dr Ashby resigned in November 1987. Rev Chuck Reynolds was called as interim pastor.
Dr Gary Baldwin became the fifth pastor on August 8 1988. The church called him on June 26 1988. Mayfield Road Baptist Church began two worship services. They also started two Sunday school sessions in October 1992. In the spring of 1993 they returned to one worship service and one Sunday school.
Later that year the bonds were paid off. These bonds were issued to build the new sanctuary. Dr Baldwin resigned on February 16 1994. He served for over five years. Dr Harold Freeman was called as interim pastor.
In May work began to make Mayfield Rd a four-lane divided parkway. Mayfield Road Baptist Church celebrated its twentieth anniversary on September 11 1994. Robert Stewart was called as pastor in May 1995. A Gold is Old sanctuary remodeling campaign began in 1996. By September 1997 the remodeling was done. In August 1998 Mr Stewart resigned. Dr Nelson became interim pastor for a fourth time.
On June 6 1999 Bobby Bridges became the pastor. Mayfield Road Baptist Church celebrated twenty-five years on September 26 1999.
Today Mayfield Road Baptist Church continues to be a place of faith. It is a place of community. It is a place where people from all walks of life can come together. They share the good news of Jesus Christ. The church wants to lead people to become obedient disciples.