Ashland Avenue Baptist Church was organized on January 30, 1916, by the first Baptist Church, J. W. Porter then pastor. Thirty numbers of the First Baptist Church composed the charter membership: C.S. Vermillion, Mrs. C. S. Vermillion, G. C. Thompson, Mrs. G. C. Thompson, Ott Miller, Mrs. Ott Miller, Dr. E. P. Beard, Mrs. E. F. Beard, J. R. Wilcoxson, Mrs. J. R. Wilcoxson, Wilson S. Hunt, Mrs. Wilson S. Hunt, Susie Hunt, Bessie Hunt, Mrs. J. Q. Compton, D. M. Case, Mrs. S. A. Williams, J. B. Stine, Mrs. J. B. Stine, Mrs. Annie Coil, Jessie T. Coil, Miss Lucy Munday, Mrs. Emma Darnaby, S. C. Eubank, Mrs. S. C. Eubank, Mrs. Sallie E. Branaman, Mrs. Nonie Hubbard, Mrs. Chester Lowry, Mrs. Sidney Delaney and Sidney Delaney.February 6, 1916 W. H. Mahaffy was called as first pastor. He continued as pastor until July 16, 1916.
September 6, 1916 The church made application and was received into membership of the Elkhorn Baptist Association.
November 5, 1916 Pastor Clarence Walker of Wilmore conducted morning and evening services. At the close of the evening service was extended a unanimous call to become pastor.
November 12, 1916 Pastor Clarence Walker accepted the pastorate of Ashland Avenue Baptist Church.
April 19, 1917 Plans for new church building was adopted.
July 8-22, 1917 First tent meeting of church held by Pastor Walker and J. W. Porter. There were eight additions.
January 1, 1921 Church membership had grown to 235.
1921 Average Sunday School attendance was 189.
January 22, 1922 - First service held in new auditorium.
July 30, 1922 "Ashland Avenue Baptist" began publication on a weekly basis. By 1936 it had a subscription list of 1,900. Today our subscription mailing list is approximately 66,000.
April 1, 1923 Pastor preaches first sermon to go out from Lexington on radio.
Summer, 1927 First Daily Vacation Bible School was held.
Summer, 1931 - First tent meeting held at Harp's Corner.
January 10, 1932 First unit of new Sunday School building occupied by Junior Dept.
August 23, 1938 Walter Walker called to be with the Lord.
1944 Howard Davis came to help in work of paper and church.
September, 1950 Lexington Baptist Bible Institute opened its doors to its first class. Eleven students composed the first day classes. In 1952 the name was changed to Lexington Baptist College.
1961 Bro. Walker was stricken on March 4. He came to church the first time after his stroke May 14.
January 21, 1966 Ground was broken for the new building of Lexington Baptist College on Walton Ave.
November 6, 1966 Bro. Clarence Walker completed fifty years as pastor of Ashland Avenue Baptist Church. The church had only been organized about six months when he preached his first sermon here to an audience of only 33. The church owned no property but held its meeting in a small frame building located on the site of the present church, which was formerly used as a school house.
November 6, 1966 Bro. Clarence Walker resigned as pastor.
January 15, 1967 Pastor Ross L. Range was called as pastor to become effective, March 5, 1967. Membership 1,557.
October, 1967 Ground broken for new auditorium.
June 1, 1968 Lexington Baptist College moved into new building.
August 11, 1968 Bro. Clarence Walker went home to be with the Lord.
First Sunday of November, 1968 moved into new auditorium.
November 11, 1970 withdrew from Elkhorn Baptist Association because of alien baptism & liberalism.
April, 1972 bought additional house & parking lot.
November 28, 1976 note burning day.
1977-1979 remodeled Sunday School building.
August 24, 1980 Bro. Hershael York began his ministry with us.
1980-1982 remodeled Family Center.
We have started several new missions and churches.
At least 20 young men have surrendered to the gospel ministry.
Mission budget (1967 ) $46,715.15
Mission budget (1986) $320,988.00
Additions (1967-1985) 2,327
Membership: 2,164
============= [This document provided by Kenneth and Wanda Robbins White, Richmond, KY.]
Kentucky Baptist Church Histories
Baptist History Homepage
