BBC's History
The
Broadway Baptist Church had its beginning in the year 1882 in the
Christian home of Brother Adam and Sister Emily Ivey. As the
congregation began to grow, services were moved to a brush harbor.
With the Lord in their midst and other believers in Christ joining
forces with them, they began having prayer services and later
included preaching and Sunday school. Thus a century of building
mankind for the kingdom of God began to unfold.
The growing membership desired and worked toward a more permanent
church home. On October 6, 1893, the church purchased property at
2360 Washington Road (Previously known as the Hicks Place) for the
purpose of building a sanctuary.
Shortly after the beginning of the church, the Broadway Baptist
Church School was opened with grades one through eleven. The church
school continue to serve the community until approximately 1930.
Rev. Berry J Williams was called as pastor on January 21, 1976; He
was officially installed on April 23, 1976. The purchase of thirteen
acres of land at 2323 Barton Chapel Road was made under the
leadership of Rev. Williams to provide for the construction of a new
sanctuary and other facilities.
In September of 1977, the property at 2360 Washington Road was sold
and the building was deconsecrated as a sanctuary on September 25,
1977. Regular services began at the Barton Chapel location on the
first Sunday in October of 1977. The building used was erected to
eventually serve as a community building.
Only seven pastors have led Broadway Baptist Church for 1882 – 1998.
Rev. George Briggs, Rev. Ed. Williams, Rev. Adams, Rev. F.F. Cook,
Rev. Leroy W. Westbrook Sr., Rev. Thomas Hudson, Rev. Berry J.
Williams and Interim Pastor Rev. E. Thomas, laying the foundation
for a pastor to lead Broadway into even greater years.
On January 17, 1999, the Broadway Baptist Church installed Dr. C.
William Joyner, Jr., as Pastor. Shortly after installation of Dr.
Joyner, he developed the following as directional guidelines for the
Church:
Vision Statement: To Build God’s Kingdom One Individual at a Time
Theme: A Church in Recovery
Motto: A Church where Everybody is Somebody
Dr. Joyner also introduced God’s plan for Broadway through the
implementation of the vision given to him from God. The vision was
the construction of a new sanctuary and Family Life Center. On July
20, 2000, the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Family Life Center
was held.
On Sunday, April 9, 2001, Dr. Joyner led the congregation in its
last worship service in the old sanctuary, now the B.J Williams
Education Building. On the following Sunday, April 16 2001, the
Broadway Church Family was led again by Dr. Joyner into the new
Family Life Center for the first worship service in the new
facility. Dr. C. William Joyner, Jr., is truly a man sent by God to
lead the Broadway Baptist Church Family and surround communities in
the new millennium.
