 |
| 1889 |
South Church was born
in the hearts of a small group of believers who met to pray at
the home of George Isbell. These members of the First
Baptist Church of Lansing felt the need for a mission work on
the south side of the city. On May 26, 1889 they
organized a Sunday School. By July of that year the
small church met weekly for Sunday School and a midweek prayer
meeting. In October of that year, a small building was
constructed on South Street and named, the South Street
Chapel.
 |
| 1905 |
After the turn of the
century, the South Side Mission Chapel experienced marked growth. In
1905 First Baptist Church hired Frank Currey, whose responsibilities
included the leadership of the Mission Church. Following
an evangelistic outreach sponsored by the fledgling church,
believers at the Wednesday night prayer meeting filled the
chapel. Attendance at regular services dramatically increased.
On May 1, 1906 the growing church purchased property at Washington
Avenue and Moores River Drive, despite the concern of some
who feared that it was too far outside the city. In 1912
the church was incorporated under the name South Washington
Avenue Baptist Church. Some time later the name was shortened
to South Church. In 1909 the church completed
the erection of an impressive brick building with an elegant
porch and stained glass window.
To meet the growing needs of the people on the south side of the
city the church was open seven days a week, unusual for any church
at that time. During the week the Sunday School room was fixed
up and used as a gymnasium and the parlor was used as a reading room.
The expanding congregation flourished under a succession of men,
each of whom performed a special charge. This is a list of
our pastors.
| Frank
Currey |
1905-1910 |
Established first church building |
| George
O'Donald |
1910-1911 |
Developed
youth ministries |
| Albert
D. Werdon |
1911-1915 |
Organized
church policy |
| A.T.
Robinson |
1916-1919 |
Gave
strength during war years |
| C.H.
Heaton |
1919-1924 |
Upheld
Biblical Truth |
| W.F.
Dissette |
1924-1929 |
Increased
attendance, paid mortgage |
| William
S. Ross |
1929-1940 |
Developed
Membership to 960 |
| D.T.
Yaxley |
1941-1947 |
Completed
educational annex |
| Malcolm
Cronk |
1948-1952 |
Directed
vigorous outreach |
| Howard
F. Sugden |
1954-1991 |
Moved church forward spiritually through skillful preaching |
| Rick
Hawks |
1992-1994 |
Provided
transitional leadership |
| Donald
G. Denyes |
1995-present |
|
|
 |
| 1956 |
The
face of the building changed as did the needs of the congregation. In
1937 a new religious education unit was completed. In
1947 the second story of the addition was built. Under
the leadership of Pastor Howard Sugden, five more additions
were made. In 1954 a small unit was built for offices
and classrooms. In 1956 a building program that included
a large auditorium and additional nurseries and classrooms
was completed.
 |
| 1963 |
A three
story educational unit was dedicated in 1963, and in 1967
a multipurpose unit that included a chapel, gymnasium and
departmental classrooms was finished. Another
phase of the building program was completed in 1972 when
the original church building was demolished to make room
for a three story educational wing.
 |
| 2000 |
In July 2000,
South Church moved to a new location and facility on Cornerstone
Drive in Delta Township, just four miles west of its former
location. On 36 acres of land, South has room to
grow and reach the greater Lansing area for Christ.
South Church
now faces future challenges, rooted firmly in the gospel
of Jesus Christ, rejoicing in God's past work in us and joyfully
anticipating His plan for us. Our newly adopted purpose
statement, 'Passion for Christ, Compassion for Others'
aptly describes our continued commitment to the fulfillment
of God's call.
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