This year, 2020, marks the 169th anniversary of the founding of Virginia Street Baptist Church, which was organized in 1851. The origin of the church can be traced back to New Providence Baptist Church (now First Baptist) of Hopkinsville, to June 6, 1818. That church was constituted at the log home of John and Grace Pursley, one mile west of the Courthouse on the Princeton Road (now West 7th Street) on a site opposite the Senior Citizens Center.
Virginia Street members worshiped jointly with white members at three locations for about thirty-five years. The Christian County Court House was used during the winters, while the first building was under construction. The brick church on West Thirteenth was occupied for over twenty years and the old brick church at Eleventh and Main, where African-American members met in the ground floor assembly room, was used for about ten years.
On May 4, 1854, the white church trustees, John P. Campbell, E. R. Richardson, Alpheus Palmer, John Buckner, and James Ware bought an old brick building located on the northwest corner of 14th and Virginia to be held in trust for the benefit of "coloured" members of the Baptist Church.
The Kentucky New Era on October 23, 1874, reported "The congregation of the colored Baptist church in this city have torn down their old brick church building on Virginia Street and erected in its stead a much handsomer and more commodious edifice.
The brick church, constructed on a lot 65' x 54' facing 14th Street consisted of double front doors, one for men and one for women, four windows on both sides and a louvered belfry above the roof. The building was heated by two large coal fired stoves.
It was in 1892 that the First Baptist Church (white) decided they would move from 11th and Main Streets to 14th and Main Streets, it not being practical for a colored and a white church to be in such close proximity to each other. Also, a consideration in the decision to move was that the congregation had no Title to the ground where their Church stood. Consequently, the White Church proposed to purchase or pay them outright for their property and allow them to move all improvements.
On June 1, 1892, trustees of the white baptist church paid $2,500 to the colored church trustees for the old church in order to assist them in the construction of a new house of worship.
The site for a new location was selected when Trustees of Virginia Street Colored Baptist Church bought a lot 84' x 131' on the northwest corner of Third and Virginia Streets on May 31, 1892.
Sunday, September 11, 1892, the cornerstone was laid, the Hopkinsville Kentuckian article stated.
The church basement was complete by December 9, 1892. It had been painted and papered and was furnished for use. The church moved to its present location under the leadership of Reverend E. Williams. Within four months of the relocation, the church was worshiping in the basement of its new church, and in six months had built to a minimum value of $15,000.00. The job from the foundation to the tower with few exceptions was done by the church's members.
A great day of celebration and Thanksgiving was observed on Sunday, July 16, 1893, when the new church was dedicated. The Hopkinsville Kentuckian announcement reported.
Ministers from 1851 until 1938 included: Reverend Billie Hubbard as the First Pastor. He was followed by the Reverends Stephen Watt, William Howell, E. Ritchie, E. Williams, M. M. D. Perdue, and T. Timberlake. The Reverend Williams served more than forty years, retiring voluntarily in 1925. The next longest service of any pastor was Reverend T. Timberlake who gave seven years of constructive service.
According to the earliest available records, the first Deacon Board was organized by Reverend Stephen Watt.
The organization of the Sunday School was one of the important developments in the early church history. Its founders are considered to be the Reverend Allen Allensworth, Reverend J. F. Thomas (one of the two colored coroners that Christian County has had in its history), Wyatt Watt, Brother A. C. Brent, Sr., and A. H. Payne. Mr. Payne, who was then Superintendent of the City Schools, was made Superintendent of the Sunday School in 1890.
The Deaconess Board was organized under the Administration of Reverend M. M. D. Perdue.
The B.Y.P.U. of Virginia Street Baptist was organized in 1894 by Brother A. C. Brent, Sr. The first literature was secured from National Publishing Board, Nashville, Tennessee by Bro. Brent.
Reverend C. C. Ellis pastored from September 1939 to May 1942. The Reverend M. P. Manson served as acting Pastor from 1942 to 1944. The Rev. A. R. Lasley began his service on the first Sunday in June 1944 and retired April 3, 1994 as Pastor after serving 50 years. During his Pastorate, the Rev. Amos R. Lasley was instrumental in improving the general outlay at a cost of more than $1,671,191.
>>1992 - Erected another building which contains six class rooms, kitchen, restrooms, and a dining room with seating capacity of 300 at a cost of $298,368
Rev. Lasley organized many choirs, clubs, and auxiliaries in his fifty years as pastor of Virginia Street Baptist Church. Rev. Norris Mills served as Interim Pastor from September 1994 through March 1995. The present Pastor is Rev. Mitchell O. Fort who was called to the Pastorate on April 2, 1995.
>>2001 - Renovations to the activities building were completed and dedication services were held in May. Weekly aerobic classes were the first regular activities hosted in the newly renovated center. In March and August the church hosted special services in preparation for our 150th Church Anniversary. Choir robes were purchased and worn the first time on the 150th Church Anniversary.
>>2006 - In May, purchased Moss-Heltsley & Frankel Burley Tobacco Floor Warehouse at 210 S. Virginia Street.
>>2008 - The library was renovated, a 15-passenger van was purchased, and removed the carpet from the A. R. Lasley Fellowship Hall.
>>2013 - Sunday, September 29th a ground breaking ceremony was held for a new facility that will be constructed across the street from the existing building on Virginia between second and third streets. Guests in attendance included, Hopkinsville Mayor Dan Kemp; Christian County Judge Executive Steve Tribble; Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, Carter Hendricks; Jim Denton, the architect; Michael Downey, the builder; etc were on hand to participate in the ceremony. Rev. Robert Rogers read the Bible verse, Matthew 16:18 and Rev. Charles Brown offered the opening prayer. Including, the guests, there were one hundred and ninety-five individuals in attendance to witness the history making event.
>>2014 - The new church construction began in March/April.
>>2015 - The new church building at 210 S. Virginia Street, was completed in September, with Crossing Over Services from old building, taking place at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 13th.
The Ribbon Cutting and Dedication Service was held two weeks later, on Sunday, September 27th with Rev. Dr. Clarence Cheatham, Pastor, Woodlawn Elizabeth Church, Woodlawn, TN, delivering the Dedication Sermon. Rev. Norris Mills, Pastor, Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Hopkinsville, KY, delivered the Prayer of Dedication. There were approximately 289 people in attendance, including Christian County Judge Executive Steve Tribble; and Hopkinsville Mayor Carter Hendrick presenting a proclamation.
HISTORY OF THE OFFICERS, GROUPS, AUXILIARIES, AND CHOIRS
WE THANK GOD FOR THE PAST YEARS AND PRAY FOR STRENGTH AND GUIDANCE TO MOVE THE CHURCH FORWARD AND UPWARD. We give God all the praise for He is good. He has done and is still doing great things for Virginia Street Baptist Church.