Ridgecrest Baptist Church began in 1965 in the unoccupied Travis School building on the corner of Wesley and O'Neal. The first service was Sunday, March 14. On that day, 354 became members and 497 enrolled for Sunday School. As the church grew, additional space was rented from the Greenville Medical Clinic and a two story house across the street.

 

The minutes from an early business meeting stated that "we purpose to have a Baptist witness for the glory of God and to meet the spiritual needs of our city in growing southern Greenville."

 

On September 27, 1965, the formal service of organization and dedication was held with a total charter membership of 446, making it the largest Baptist church to be constituted in the state.

 

After studying projected growth patterns for the city, the Site Selection Committee found and ideal 7.2 acres at 6801 Wesley where the church is still located today.

 

The church broke ground on a new 29,000 square feet facility which would care for 600 in worship and 700 in educational ministries. It was a big step of faith for the church but Ridgecrest paid off the note in ten years. This would be the first of four building projects at Ridgecrest. The current activities building was built in 1972, an educational wing in 1976, and the current worship center in 1987 seating 1,200.

 

In August of 1981, a Spanish language church was started and in December 1983 became "Mission Bautista Ridgecrest".

 

Ridgecrest Baptist Church has been served by six pastors:

 

William M Pratt   1965-1967

James D McGinlay  1968-1975

Dr. Bob E. Hamilton 1976-1990

Dr. David Stubblefield 1991- 2001

Dr. Sam Douglass 2002 - 2005

Kevin Herbert  2006 - present

 

The church has also been served by many other wonderful ministers and support staff.

 

In all of the varied ministries, Ridgecrest believes the promise, "I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people, and I will be their God; for they shall return unto me with their whole heart" Jer 24:7. Ridgecrest's commitment is to teach the Word of God so that God may be truly known. By continuing to do that, a spiritual house of "living stones" is being built -- a house for His name.