History of BBC

The Ballardsville Baptist Church was constituted in the old Lick Branch Meeting House, vacated by the body of believers who moved to LaGrange. This building was located on Fible Lane and it was here on September 26, 1827 that the elders John Dale, Joel Hulsey, Benjamin Allen, G. Carpenter and George Bridges along with thirty-five members agreed to go into a constitution, which was drawn up and unanimously adopted. The church at first was called Hopewell and joined Long Run Association: then later joined the Sulphur Fork Association of Baptists. The church moved to Ballardsville in 1837.

The first preachers called were Brother Wesley Alexander, E.G. Berry, John Dale, A.M. Ragsdale and D.N. Porter.

In 1837, when the church body moved to a building in Ballardsville the name was changed from Hopewell to the Baptist Church of Ballardsville. After considering the building of a new house of worship for about eight years on May 5, 1872 Bro. S.L. Helm of Louisville preached the dedication sermon, morning and evening in a new church to a very large congregation.

On April 1, 1882 the church decided to organize a Sabbath school. Trustees of the church at this time served as housekeepers with twelve to twenty dollars for a year of service.

Ballardsville Christians knew trials of many kinds, sometimes being without a pastor; many times dismissing services because of inclement weather. They experienced depressions and even Smallpox in 1861.

On Sunday morning March 17, 1946 the 74-year-old frame church building was completely destroyed by fire. The Oldham County Board of Education granted the use of the school building where worship services were held for a year.

In January 1947 services were held in the basement of the new building and continued there until the church was ready for use. Owen Whitehouse, Sr., a contractor and member of the church was the builder. In the spring of 1952 the church purchased a home for the pastor.

Other pastors in addition to the first five were A.B. Hunter, Garland Williams in 1869, J.F. Martin 1872, D.T. Yates, C. Van Arsdale 1885, S.B. Grumble, C.S. Bratcher, N.C. Range, H.G.M. Hatler, E.L. Veech, George Baker, Omar Graves, J.E. Dillard Jr., Maurice Barnes, Dr. Henry Turlington, C.C. McCain, Roy Wyatt, Virgil Kearney, Charles Davis, Paul Justice, Clyde Tilley, Ken Roberts, Bobbie Helton, James Day, Wayne Dozier, Mark Waters, Dr. Tommy Purvis and Dr. Gary French.

In April of 1969 the church, under the leadership of Rev. Clyde Tilley, entered into a building program to provide much needed space for educational growth. The new addition was built with the assistance of Owen Whitehouse, Sr., and was dedicated June 4, 1967.

Ballardsville Baptist has an outstanding tradition of excellence in music and worship. Music minister's serving since 1970 include:

Dwayne toole, Larry Mayo, Bob Sheffy, Phil Rector, Donna Thomas, and David Gregory.

In 1971, under the leadership of Bro. Bobbie Helton, a program for our young people was started with Ernie Fyler, serving as Youth Minister. Others serving as Youth Minister are: Dwayne Toole, Lynn Paschall, Steve Huff, Jim Swedenberg, Larry Mayo, Roger Peadro, Jennie Day, Paula Peak, Victor Angulo, Brad Rumer, Don Wright and Greg Schwab.

The church has been active in all types of mission work. In 1964 Bro. Clyde Tilley started the Mountain Missionary Bible School with the youth taking an active part. This Mountain Mission work was continued by Bro. Bobbie Helton during his pastorship at Ballardsville.

With the arrival of Steve Huff to serve as youth minister, a new type of mission work (for us) was started. This was the holding of Back Yard Bible Clubs during the summer months.

After Bro. James Day came to Ballardsville as Pastor in 1974, a monthly visit and service was started at the Smithfield Nursing Home. These visits continued each month until the nursing home closed in 1979. At about the same time a similar program was conducted at the Friendship Manor Nursing Home in Pewee Valley.

In 1978 members of our church, Hobart and Christine Powell went with 9 people from other area churches to the Southern Baptist Mission field of Honduras. This mission group built churches there during a two-week stay. This annual Honduras Mission activity continues today. The Honduras Mission Group departs usually in February or March.

In 1980 a group of men from our church went to the Oneida Baptist Institute to help restore a one-room school building, which had been moved to the campus. That marked the beginning of the Oneida Mission Project, which became an annual activity for our church. Many members have worked at construction, repairing, painting and cleaning. This mission has grown through the years and continues at this time.

In 1993 a new parsonage was added to the 22-acre site located at the intersection of highways 22 and 53 at the north end of Ballardsville. In the spring of 1998 work began on a new church building at this location. The work was started by members of the church body and was greatly enhanced by the arrival of 100 men, who came for one week, representing the Carpenters for Christ and the carpenters from the Sulphur Fork Association. April 16, 2000 services were held in the new building.

The church body continued to grow and a family life center was added to the property in 2002. This building houses Sunday school rooms, a gym/multi-purpose room and kitchen. Shortly after that a missions building was added to the property which houses the “Devine Deliveries” food distribution mission, the infant resource center and the church vans.

In 2004, the church called Mrs. Stuart Clem to serve as Children's Minister. Mrs. Gigi Wheeler began serving in this ministry and providing leadership for the Children's Ministry in 2008.

In July, 2007 Don Wright was named as our Associate Pastor. Rev. Greg Schwab became our Youth Minister; Greg previously attended Southern Seminary and served as an intern at Ballardsville Baptist. Greg had worked with Don Wright for more than a year as an intern to the Youth Ministry. On August 17, 2008 Dr. David Gregory resigned his position as Music/Worship Minister.

In September, 2008 Tony Wolfenbarger was called to serve as Senior Pastor at Ballardsville Baptist Church. The church is currently under his leadership, and serving with him, the staff includes: Associate Pastor, Don Wright; Student Minister, Greg Schwab; Children's Minister, Gigi Wheeler; and Ministry Assistant, Darlene Blackford. In June, 2009 Peggy Rumer was called to serve as interim Music/Worship Minister.

History researched and written by: Mary Bruce Caldwell

Updated by: Judith Trapp

Steve Jones

Darlene Blackford

Internet version last updated on April, 2009 by Darlene Blackford.

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