Our Story

How it all started...

West Pines Baptist Church began under our first name Bible Baptist Fellowship, soon to be known as Bible Baptist Church of Lake Worth, Florida.

Twenty nine charter members met in the home of Captain and Mrs. Albert Warren, in West Palm Beach, Florida.  Rev. Kenneth Muck served as Missionary Pastor until a permanent pastor could be found.  Under his guidance the constitution and articles of faith were put into place.

On June 3, 1959, Rev. Stanley Smith was called by a vote of the congregation to be Missionary Pastor for Bible Baptist Church of Lake Worth.  He was given $500 for a down payment on a home in the Lake Worth area.

Expanding the vision...

In February of 1960, an offer  was made and accepted on the property known as Barton Road, and Bible Baptist Church came to be known as Barton Road Baptist.  Ground breaking was held on Sunday, October 16,1960.  The first service of Barton Road Baptist Church was held on New Year's Eve, Saturday, December 31, 1960, from 9pm till midnight.  The first Lord's Day service was held on January 1, 1961.  The building consisted of four walls, a partially completed roof and a cement floor.   Our dedication service was held in the completed building on April 23, 1961.
Pastor Stan Smith remained the Missionary Pastor of Barton Road until October 15, 1962.  The church then called Rev. William Moser to the senior pastorate.  Pastor Moser served until 1967, when Pastor Kenneth Houser was called.  Pastor Houser held the position of senior pastor through May, 1969.  At that time Rev. Robert Morris was called who led our congregation until 1972.  Rev. Kennneth Smelser was invited to accept the call as senior pastor in November of 1972.  Under Pastor Smelser, in 1975, we were able to add on to the original structure of Barton Road Baptist Church with a 500 seat auditorium.  Pastor Smelser retired in 1981.  Rev. Richard Shorr served as pastor from 1981 until 1987.  The church purchased 10 acres of property on Melaleuca Lane in 1984 with a vision toward future relocation of the church facility and ministry.  Rev. Frank Snyder came as pastor in 1988.  The church began the Discovering Life in Giving stewardship program in 1991, with a goal of eliminating its entire debt on the Melaleuca property.  This goal was accomplished in September, 1995, and a mortgage burning ceremony was held on November 5, 1995.  In July, 1994, Rev. Lee Kliewer became the eighth pastor of the church.  The church voted at their annual business meeting on January 13, 1995, to begin marketing the Barton Road property for sale.

Where we are now...

The Palm Beach County School District signed a contract to purchase the Barton Road property on September 6, 1995.  Ground breaking for West Pines Baptist Church was held on Sunday, November 24, 1996, and site clearing began in June of 1998.  It was during that time, our current pastor Rev. Paul Sorber was called to the senior pastorate.

We have been blessed with a number of youth, music and interim pastors/workers over the years.  God has seen fit to always supply us with a shepherd.  The following pastors have served in one of these capacities: Barton Case, Don Yost, Richard Harrington, Carl Sexton, Roger Cousineau, Tim Haines, Greg Douglas, Joe Miller, Dave Bunyan, Frank Bunyan, David Snyder, Jeff Nilius, Sam Jay, Chris Herrick, Michael Dawson, Scott Conner....

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