Our Story

How it all started...

On April 30, 1814 fourteen dedicated people from London Bridge Baptist Church met at Moseley’s Meetinghouse for the purpose of organizing a new church in the rapidly growing section of Princess Anne County known as Kempsville.

Less than a month later, May 21, 1814, James Norris presented a petition from the newly constituted Kempsville Baptist Church for admission into the Baptist Association. Upon examination and being found orderly and orthodox, the church was cordially received and her name enrolled with the Association.

In 1826, the congregation purchased the abandoned courthouse building and used it as their house of worship until 1911, when they moved into a newly erected wood framed church. This building was destroyed by fire in 1963.

To serve the rapidly growing community, the present church was built and dedicated on March 2, 1958. This was the beginning of the ministry of Kempsville Baptist Church. 

Expanding the vision...

Under the leadership of Pastor Kelly J. Burris, the church began to flourish. In May of 1990, the Arise and Build Campaign was held to  develop a new Pre-School and Children’s wing. Five years later in order to serve the growing community, the planning phase for the Family Life Center, a 16,000 foot multipurpose gymnasium and administration offices was established.

In 1998, a bond rally began with $2,000,000 sold in one day and on April 19th a ground breaking ceremony was held. Work was completed one year later in 1999.

In 2011, the church once again came together to support the Mission Himpossible Campaign in order to “tear down” any debt the church owed in order to focus tithes and offerings toward missional work in our community and beyond.

Our church continues to serve the community and recently celebrated its 210th Anniversary by introducing a new Missions Center and Historical Room to commemorate the church’s history and God’s continuing  provision.

Where we are headed...

Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we envision Kempsville Baptist to be a fellowship of Christ followers who are:
+committed to serving the Lord with all their heart (Roman 12:2).
+broken and burdened for those who have not surrendered their lives to Christ (Romans 5:8).
+reaching out to the community around them to meet the needs of others (1 Timothy 6:18).
+loving each other as Christ loved us (John 3:34,35).
+meeting regularly to encourage and uplift one another (Acts 2:46).
+joining together to praise and worship the Lord (Psalm 150).
+committed to being discipled and committed to discipling others (Matthew 28:19,20).

Be a part of our story...

Join us on Sundays as we gather to worship together at 10:30 am.