Danville Baptist Church History

Some time in the year 1820 a group began meeting and called themselves the Free Will Baptist Society. Thirteen years later, on March 15, 1832, construction began and a meeting house on the corner of what is now Kingston Rd. and Main St. was erected. The project was complete 8 months later in November of 1832.

Construction was headed up and personally financed by Thomas Colby, a deacon who is said to have had a passionate love for the Lord. He hired workers to assist him at a wage of $.67 per day. When the project was complete he was allowed to sell the pews for reimbursement.

Several things about the building have changed over the years. In 1846 the steeple and entryway were added. In 1851 the pulpit was lowered and the pew doors removed. The first pipe organ was installed in 1919. Probably the greatest physical change to the building took place in 1983 when it was moved from its original location to a plot of land containing 15.5 acres, just up the street. Since then several other changes have taken place including the construction of a Christian education addition, a redesign of the front entryway to include a handicapped ramp, the addition of a sound room and the removal of the old organ pipes behind the stage area. In 2005 the circular area directly in front of the church was redesigned to include a flagpole and a new walkway.

Changes have also taken place within the leadership of the church. The Danville Baptist Church has called 33 pastors to serve over the years.

Although change has been constant throughout the history of this church, the Word of God has been faithfully preached on a weekly basis for almost 175 years. The church building has been and will remain a place where God’s people come together to worship and serve Him.