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“And on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
Matthew 16:18
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Arlington Boulevard BAPTIST C H U R C H
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Arlington Boulevard Baptist Church was constituted as a church on June 3, 1956. From its beginning the church has been missionary in its attitude and practice. The vision of those forming the church was for it to be an expansion of the work of Baptist in the Greenville area. The mission was to share the love of Christ through establishing a local Baptist congregation, as a means of reaching out to the local community, and to others through missions. |
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The Memorial and Immanuel Baptist Churches provided the core support for the new church including a volunteer group of members to help begin the work. The name of the church has changed from Hillsdale Baptist Mission, to Arlington Street Baptist Church, and now to Arlington Boulevard Baptist Church. Yet its mission and vision have remained the same. |
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The first services of this new congregation were held on June 5, 1955. The first pastor, Reverend Mark Owens was called February 5, 1956. The new church began to take shape and the first building program was undertaken in early 1957. Much of the labor was provided by church members and friends. The first service was held in the new building on October 6, 1957. |
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A disastrous fire on January 19, 1960, destroyed the sanctuary half of the church building, with the rest of the building being badly damaged by water and smoke. With God’s leadership and strength the people of the church began the rebuilding process. By June 9, 1974, plans for the current sanctuary were well underway. The first worship services were held in the current sanctuary on May 30, 1976. Over the years Arlington Boulevard Baptist Church, like the community of which it is a part, has undergone many changes. Some of them have been easier to deal with than others. All of them have in one way or another enhanced the church’s ability to be a beacon to draw others to the love of Christ. |
