About Us
Life at KBC: Remembering our past
Celebrating our Future
Kilmarnock Baptist Church Culture
The history of Kilmarnock Baptist Church dates back to 1909 when the members were actively involved in spreading the message of Christ in their community. They were open to working with other denominations and even shared a parking lot, combined choirs, and Vacation Bible School with the Methodist Church. They sponsored a county youth choir, performed the Christian folk musical “Good News,” and started radio broadcasts of worship services. They also supported the “Open Doors Ministry” of Missionary and KBC member Dr. Judith Beane, locally and nationally. In the 1960s, Pastor John Houghton and an Episcopal priest devised a plan for weekly community interdenominational Lenten services, which KBC has graciously hosted for over sixty years.
Kilmarnock Baptist has witnessed the calling and ordination of several pastors throughout its history. In 1987, the church hosted and participated in the Service of Ordination for Dr. Barbara M. Filling, one of the state’s first women pastors. In October 1988, Mrs. Lillian Moore became the first woman deacon to be ordained. The co-pastors, William and Mary Dell Sigler, were called to the church in 1995, and they were the first couple from Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond to co-pastor a church.
The church’s spirit of faithful discipleship and evangelism is still alive today. Before the worship service begins, visitors are warmly greeted, and members inquire about each other’s families and health. At Kilmarnock Baptist, everyone is welcome and made to feel at home, as we recognize that everyone is God’s child. The positive atmosphere in the sanctuary is palpable, and the energy is contagious. The 11:00 chimes signify the start of the service, and we prepare our hearts and minds for music, meditation, prayer, scripture reading, the message, and the invitation. Every week, we are renewed in our commitment to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We also have frequent potlucks and coffee hours after worship, where we can continue our visits with one another and build friendships in a social setting.
There are many opportunities to grow in faith and spread Jesus’s love to others in Kilmarnock Baptist Church. The deacons visit the sick and shut-ins and also call members regularly to ensure their well-being. The Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) is an active and vibrant group that organizes several annual local and international mission projects. The Sunday School and Men’s Bible Study offer additional opportunities to build faith and form friendships. The Prayer Shawl Group visits and blesses the ill with a shawl and prayer, while the monthly Food Pantry reaches out to the less fortunate in the community with kindness, prayer, and food. The workers often leave feeling as blessed as the clients that are served. Furthermore, the church services are broadcast weekly on radio and YouTube, catering to those who may be unable to attend church services on Sundays.
Kilmarnock Baptist members are always happy to serve on the numerous committees required to run the church. They are problem-solvers who think outside the box and are open to considering unusual or unorthodox methods that may not have been tried previously. Communication is vital within the church family, and members are kept informed through bulletin announcements, emails,
Our congregation may be considered “mature”, but our passion and zeal for advancing God’s kingdom are still very much alive and evident. We rely on our pastors to lead us toward a deeper understanding of God’s word as written in the scriptures. As a congregation, we cherish the blessings we receive from God and give Him all the glory. We follow Jesus’ teachings and pray earnestly that our actions may reflect His love and draw others closer to Him. Above all, we look forward to the promise of eternal life in heaven when our time here on earth is complete.