#you count,
we care

     This church was organized in 1867 in Springfield, Missouri, originally meeting in a building on the southwest corner of Park Central Square.

      In 1872, in conjunction with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a frame structure was built at the corner of Benton Avenue and Water Street, where worship was held for several years.

     In 1884, a lot was purchased at 729 North Washington Avenue and a brick house of worship was erected. In 1892, an annex was added with a cornerstone. Rev. Steven Frost was the first pastor of this church, known as Second Baptist Church.

     In 1904, a new structure at 729 North Washington Avenue was constructed and the church took the name of Washington Avenue Baptist Church. The cornerstone from the former building was placed upside-down in the southwest corner of the building.

     Tragedy visited the church on two separate occasions. On Thanksgiving morning, November 30, 1911, fire destroyed the pews, windows, two organs and most of the pastor’s library. The building was rebuilt and the pews and windows were duplicated. On February 9, 1984, an arsonist set fire to the church annex.

     The congregation moved into its new church home at 1722 North National Avenue on October 8, 2000, debt free! With the purchase of the new house of worship, the historic Washington Avenue Baptist Church building was restored, preserved, and relocated one block to the north by Drury University. It is currently used as a Diversity Center for the university and community. It is also the home of the Springfield Chapter of the NAACP.

     Since moving into this edifice on North National, remodeling and beautification of the sanctuary and grounds have been completed, with the name of the church once changed to Turning Point Church in 2014, denoting the opportunity for a turning point in the lives of those who meet Christ here. On Sunday, March 21, 2023, the church's name was officially returned to Washington Avenue Baptist Church by a vote of members.

     Today, under the leadership of Pastor Terrence J. Tate, we are challenged to be more like Christ by meeting people ‘where they are’ and loving all people regardless of their past, present, or future circumstance.