Welcome Message from Pastor Dr. Stephen D. Jones
I welcome you to the website of Second Baptist Church of Greater St. Louis. Members of this church are descendants of the first Protestant church in St. Louis, known as “The Baptist Church of St. Louis” founded in 1818 by one of St. Louis’ most illustrious early pioneers, John Mason Peck. Rev. Peck served as interim pastor of Second Baptist Church on two early occasions. He pioneered a literate, ecumenical, inclusive and socially engaged approach to Baptist life that members of Second Baptist still try to emulate. It has been said of Peck that he was “the greatest of the pioneers who set foot in early St. Louis.”
Our actual founding was on January 8, 1833 and our 175th anniversary is this year, 2008.
I began as pastor of Second Baptist Church on August 15, 2007 following a year-long search by the church. I am the first permanent pastor to begin at Second Baptist following the completion of the church’s beautiful campus at Clayton and McKnight Roads. We worship on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. in “The Sanctuary of the Beatitudes” named for the artistically significant stained glass windows by the highly acclaimed artist, Siegfried Reinhardt. You can learn more about these windows in this website.
Second Baptist Church might not fit your stereotype of Baptists. You will find in this historic congregation a feisty tenacity toward original thinking, freedom of belief, love of questions and tolerance toward everyone. A theologically progressive congregation, we seek through our worship, fellowship and service an enlightened, intelligent, and spiritually liberating approach to living out one’s faith.
I want to extend a sincere invitation to you to worship with us. We are in a “Season of New Beginnings” at Second Baptist Church and it is a wonderful time to join with us. A warm and genuine welcome awaits you.
--Dr. Stephen D. Jones, Pastor
Posted by Linda Novak on Jun 16, 2008 at 11:18:5 | Article Path:
