Our Story

It all started when…

In the spring of 1905, Boulevard Baptist Church began as a mission Sunday School of LaBelle Place Baptist Church in the home of A. P. Taylor on Humber Street and Waldorf Avenue. George W. Sherman would lead in the preaching services. Seventeen members were added to the fellowship during revival services in June of 1905. In the fall of that year, the Sunday School moved to Oakland Avenue School House with C.C. Young preaching.

It was at a tent meeting on a lot adjoining this school on June 10, 1906, that Boulevard Baptist Church was formally organized with twenty-seven charter members. A building site was then secured on the northwest corner of Taylor Street and what is now South Parkway at a cost of $630.00. Construction on the new house of worship began the last week of July 1906 and J. R. Wiggs was called as full-time pastor. The first service in the new church building was held on August 19, 1906, and membership began to grow steadily from twenty-seven to seventy-five in the first twelve months. Offerings amounted to $1,774.06, of which $98.30 went for missions.

Around early 1913, the growing church purchased a lot at Humber and South Parkway to construct a new sanctuary, which was completed and dedicated by J. H. Wright on February 21, 1927. Another new sanctuary was built during Dr. C. M. Pickler’s ministry, and on December 3, 1967, Boulevard Baptist Church moved to 2124 Holmes Road. Boulevard Baptist Church at the location on Holmes road owned approximately twelve acres of land, a sanctuary, educational and fellowship building, and a parsonage, all of which was valued at over one and a half million dollars.

In 1994, a five acre tract of land was purchased on Church Road East in Southaven, MS, and under the leadership of Pastor Lonnie Riley in March 1997 construction was begun on the present 21,000 square foot facility. Boulevard Baptist Church held its first services on August 31, 1997 and dedicated the new building to the Lord, November 16-19, 1997. On July 30, 2000, the funds were raised through the Ready, Lord! campaign to pay off the indebtedness on the new building, with a note burning celebration held on that day.

In May 2001, under the leadership of Pastor Don Coleman, a Long Range Planning Committee brought several recommendations before the church concerning the future of Boulevard Baptist Church. Among the recommendations was an educational building to be attached to the back of the sanctuary building. This educational building was to include a choir room, a youth room, and much needed Sunday School rooms. On May 19, 2002, ground was broken for this educational building, and on March 23, 2003, the new facility was opened and dedicated.

In June, 2006, Boulevard Baptist Church celebrated its 100th anniversary of serving the Lord. In 2008, Boulevard called Al Pihringer to be pastor. In November, 2018, BBC called Eddie Barlow to be pastor, and from there the story continues…