The Journey From Evanston To Kenwood
The Beginning
In 1908, a group of ladies felt called to begin a Sunday school in the Evanston Community of Cincinnati. With the help of the Mt. Auburn Baptist Church, these consecrated women met one Saturday in the old Sewer Pipe Building on Montgomery Road. Most recently the room had been a saloon. The room was renovated, and the following Sunday children gathered and songs of Jesus’ love were heard. Dr. Crane of the Mt. Auburn Baptist Church gave a message on the joys of serving Jesus and spoke of the happiness gained in starting a mission in the community.
Three years later in 1911, thirty five persons with vision and faith organized the Evanston Baptist Church. The group purchased a small white frame house on Dana Avenue. Later they purchased a lot on Rutland Avenue and moved their little white church house to that site.
Over the next ten years, many men served as part-time pastors of the Evanston church. The work was slow and difficult. Seeking a place to serve his Master, J.S. Mathews, his wife Margret and their two children, Paul and Lois, began attending the Evanston Church. The Mathews quickly became involved in the ministry work of the Church. Three years later he received the call to be Senior Pastor of the Evanston Church. He accepted the call and began attending Lane Theological Seminary graduating in 1924.
The church grew so rapidly that plans were made for the construction of a new building. A red brick church was dedicated on September 7, 1924. Under the leadership of Rev. Mathews and many dedicated men and women, the church outgrew their building space. A new sanctuary and education wing were built on the site of the little white church house. On May 7, 1950 the new church was dedicated.
The Move
By 1959, many members had moved to the suburbs. At this time, it was thought advisable to seek new fields of endeavor. The church on Rutland Avenue was sold to St. Andrew Episcopal Church.
Ten acres of property were purchased on Kenwood Road in Kenwood, a suburb of Cincinnati. Ground was broken in May of 1959 for our present sanctuary. Kenwood Baptist Church held its first service on Mothers Day, 1961 in a wet and unfinished building. A beautiful chapel was added in 1968.
On October 1, 1968 the Rev. Richard Lyons was called as Pastor of Kenwood Baptist. Lyons carried on all traditions fruitfully. After 14 years as pastor, he retired in November of 1982.
Dr. George McBurney Gray was called to be pastor on December 1, 1982. Dr. Gray was an excellent preacher and teacher. He started the television ministry at Kenwood Baptist. He left the Church in December of 1984. Over 100 members also left the church at this time, and started another church. It was a heartbreaking event in the life of the church. However, God blessed both congregations numerically and spiritually.
The Rev. Bill Wright was called as interim pastor in February 1985. He served until September, 1985. Under his pastorate, a miracle of healing happened in our congregation.
In September of 1985 Dr. Alex Aronis was called to pastor Kenwood Baptist Church. Under his leadership, a church growth plan was adopted. A worship and ministry service was begun on Wednesday night, which grew to 180 in attendance. Evangelism Explosion ministry was started. Great growth occurred with close to 500 people attending Sunday morning service. A second service was added to accommodate attendance and allow for future growth. In 1989 an educational wing and office complex was added. A small group ministry was started around 1990. Dr. Aronis retired in October, 1997 after 12 great years of ministry.The Rev. Sam Young served as interim from April of 1998 to June of 1999. This bagpipe-playing Scotsman brought peace and comfort during his tenure.
In April of 1999, the Rev. David Hansen was called to be Senior Pastor of Kenwood Baptist Church. He began his ministry at Kenwood the first Sunday in July, 1999. Pastor Hansen preached Bible-based sermons and used unique verbal illustrations to make his point. He was truly a pastor to the people of Kenwood Baptist. He visited the sick and shut-ins. He was a great listener and willingly prayed and counseled those in need. Pastor Hansen had long dreamed of creating a Sabbath House, a place where pastors who needed time to rest and be refreshed could come and live for a time. Pastor Hansen led a fundraiser to buy the house and maintain it. We paid cash for the house. We also had a campaign to repair, refurbish and update the current facilities with Hansen’s leading. We raised almost $400,000
and completed the projects. After experiencing health problems for about one year Pastor Hansen felt led to resign,effective September 21, 2008.
In September 2009, we welcomed our sixth senior Pastor, Rev. Vic Gordon.
Kenwood Baptist Church is grounded in faith, with a praying and loving congregation. We have a strong staff: A senior pastor, Vic Gordon; Associate Pastor David Palmer; Director of Worship, Geary Randall, Student Ministries Pastor, Jeremy Taylor and Pastor of Children and Families, Lou Cha.