About Woodlawn
Woodlawn Baptist Church History
Woodlawn had its beginnings as Baptists of the area gathered in the Woodlawn Firehouse in the spring of 1945 to discuss ways of organizing a Baptist Church in the community. A definite interest was expressed and on Sunday, August 26, 1945, a group of Baptist met with Rev. G. Bartow Harris, pastor of First Baptist Church, Hopewell, to organize Woodlawn Baptist Church with 62 charter members.
The new church met in the Community House of the Woodlawn School area while 14 lots were purchased for the new church building. Three years later, on August 22, 1948, the church held its first service in the new building.
The original building was followed by a pastorium in March 1940. This was later called the annex and a new parsonage was purchased at 3306 Clay Street in 1965.
As the church continued to grow, there was need for more educational space. On June 1, 1958, there was a groundbreaking service for an educational building. This building was completed on April 19, 1959.
For the next several years the church experienced a steady increase in progress and Christian service. In 1982 because of a tremendous increase in church membership and attendance, a decision was made to build a new sanctuary and additional education space. The membership voted to build the new sanctuary and educational building on faith, without incurring debt. The church entered into "Partners in Progress”, a capital fund raising campaign. By July 1983, sufficient funds had been raised to begin construction. The ground breaking was held on July 17, 1983, with 12 charter members participating in the service.
The first service in the new sanctuary was held January 20, 1985. In extreme cold, snow and blizzard-like conditions 317 people braved the elements and attended the service.
A concern for children motivated the establishment of the Parents Out Program (POP’s) for preschool children ages 3 and 4 in 1986 and the Woodlawn Christian School in 1988. In 1998 Woodlawn Baptist Church was given a 26,000 sq. ft. building in Prince George and the school moved out of the church building and into their new facility in the fall of 2000. In 2001 Woodlawn Baptist Church was given the twin 26,000 sq. ft. building in Prince George and will begin renovation for Woodlawn Christian High School in the fall. Before and After School care is also provided in Prince George during the school year as a convenience to those parents who work.
Our Pastor, Rev. Kenneth L. Hendricks, began his ministry here in October 1994. Since that time Woodlawn has re-established its Southern Baptist roots with a strong emphasis on evangelism.
