HOW WE STARTED

 From 1888 to 1890, concerned Christians in the area saw the need to organize a Sunday School. There were so many children in the neighborhood and no church in the community. Services were held in the Lane Avenue School located at 2263 Lisle Pike (now Kenny Road).

  

1891

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• The same Christians relocated to the one-room schoolhouse, Clinton Township School, on Queen Avenue (now Virginia Avenue). The school was known as the "Polka Dot" School due to its diverse enrollment of black and white children from the surrounding community of Sellsville, the winter home of the Sells Brothers Circus employees.

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On May 18, 1893, a Council Meeting of four Negro/Colored Baptist Churches and seven community members resulted in the official organization of Antioch Baptist Church. Reverend Isaac A. Thornton serves as the first pastor.

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June 15, 1894

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• Reverend Stewart S. Cochran became the pastor of Antioch Baptist Church.

 

October 14, 1894

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• The cornerstone for a church edifice at 1013 Flennekin Pike (now Chambers Road) is laid, with support from the Sells Brothers Circus. The co-owner of the circus, Ephriam Sells, donates chairs for the new church.

 

1905-1908

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• Under the pastorate of Reverend George Washington Walker, a parsonage is built east of the "Old Antioch" church.

 

1963

 

Following a fifty-five-year period where Antioch had several pastors Reverend Ervin Lewis Brogsdale was called to serve the congregation. A new spiritual awakening occurred and the membership began to grow. Antioch had outgrown the little church by the side of the road.​​

 

May 26, 1968

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• After a service at Kingswood School, the old church building and parsonage are demolished by fire. The property is cleared, and construction of the present edifice begins.

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On November 16, 1969, the first Worship Service in the new edifice, with a new address, 1015 Chambers Road.

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January 11, 1970

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• The newly built house of prayer is dedicated.

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September 19, 1971

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• The cornerstone of the new edifice is laid.

 

1971-1972

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• Antioch Baptist Church goes without a pastor for fourteen months after Reverend Ervin Lewis Brogsdale accepts another call.

 

On the First Sunday in January of 1980, Pastor James Frazier assumed his duties as the pastor of Antioch. He adopted a theme, “Evangelism”, and organized an Evangelistic Committee​

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• A Church Constitution and By-laws are instituted.

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• Various ministries are organized, including the Youth and Young Adult Fellowship Ministry, Women's Fellowship Ministry, The Brotherhood, Nurses' Corp, and the Pastor's Class.

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June 12, 1988:

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•  Antioch's Mortgage celebrated the burning of the mortgage on the new edifice.

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• A Capital Campaign Fund is initiated by Pastor James Frazier and the Executive Board to address the needs of a growing congregation. Various additions and upgrades are made to the existing facility, including remodeling, new lighting, air conditioning units, and audio equipment.

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In May of 2016, Reverend James Frazier retired after thirty-seven years of service.

 

​After a fourteen-month pastor search, In July of 2018, Reverend Charles Eugene Newman was called to serve as the twenty-second shepherd of Antioch Baptist Church.

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• Under Pastor Newman, Antioch continues its long history of Biblical teaching and evangelism.

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• Various ministries have been instituted to ensure Antioch is a  relevant ministry to continue to build the Kingdom.