Church History

For over 150 years, Second Baptist Church has provided a place for the people of Liberty to worship. The congregation was founded on the idea of missions and ministering to others locally, as well as throughout our nation and world. Second Baptist Church was organized in May of 1843, with twelve charter members. Prior to this date all of the Baptist churches in the area north of the Missouri River were anti-missionary. These twelve charter members believed strongly in missions both at home and overseas. Accordingly, they withdrew from several area churches and formed an organization where they could engage in missionary work. They called themselves the Second Baptist Church to differentiate themselves from the existing Baptist church in town.

By the mid-1800's the anti-missionary Baptist church in Liberty had ceased to exist. Another Baptist church was later founded in Liberty and took the name "First Baptist." Second Baptist Church has maintained both the name and the strong missions emphasis throughout its long history. The first meeting place was in the County Court House. In 1847 a lot was purchased on what is now the site of 210 North Water Street. A two story brick building had been erected there by 1849. William Jewell College began holding its classes in the basement of the church in 1850. Ministry to the students of William Jewell College, Missouri's oldest Baptist college, has been a vital and important part of the church's mission ever since.

That first building was destroyed by a tornado on June 17, 1882. By the end of 1883, the church of 220 members met for the first time in its new building located on the southeast corner of Franklin and Leonard streets. This location is the northwest corner of the current church block. The 1883 building was completely remodeled and enlarged as the "third building" in 1902 (photo above). This building burned during Sunday School on March 21, 1920. Much of the furniture was saved, but the building was a total loss. Plans were made immediately, "even while the fire was raging," to erect another building. The church purchased the rest of the city block, and construction soon began on a new and larger facility. The church moved into the Sunday School part of the new building in 1923, and the finished building was dedicated January 11, 1925. There have been two major additions to the building since then; an educational building in 1958-59 and a three-story building extended to the north in 1993. An elevator was also added at that time. (photo below). In 2008, the church completed and additional major renovation, when they redesigned the south (Kansas Street) entrance and first level to accommodate a Welcome Center and new Entrance Plaza that is handicap accessible. Additionally the beloved Second Baptist Church Sanctuary was full renovated in 2008 to include new worship platform, pews, lighting, audio and video capture system, and complete new interior finishes.

In 1953 Miss Judy Knox became the first full time Minister of Education. This was the first time the church had more than one full time minister. The church now has  a ministry team of four full-time members and three part-time members. (More about church staff) The church has had twenty-nine pastors. Until the thirty-four year pastorate of Dr. W.C. Link, Jr., 1947 - 1981, the longest had been for nine years. Dr. Link retired on December 31, 1981. The Reverend George W. Steincross pastored from January 1983 until his retirement on March 7, 1999. On January 16, 2000, the church called  Dr. Stephen D. Graham who served until 2007. On January 25, 2009 Second Baptist Church called Jason Edwards to serve as pastor. Jason joined Second Baptist Church this year as the thirtieth pastor of Second Baptist Church.