New Highland Baptist Church began in 1945 as East Highland Park Baptist Church and was the first Baptist church organized in Richmond in 25 years. The church was located in the East Highland Park neighborhood in Henrico County.
In 1997, after much prayer, thought, study, input, and guidance from many, including the Dover Baptist Association, the congregation felt the Lord leading them to Hanover County. In the spring of 1998, the church entered into a covenant with Dover Association to purchase from them a beautiful wooded ten-acre tract on New Ashcake Road and to grow a neighborhood church.
The former facilities were sold and the congregation began to meet at Pearson’s Corner Elementary School. The church grew in spirit and number, broke ground for a building in 1999, and held the first worship service in the new facility on October 1, 2000. By 2001, increasing Sunday School growth led to the need for expansion of the educational wing which was completed in January 2002.
God continued to bless the ministry of New Highland and continued growth resulted in the need for additional space within the facility. The facilities were enlarged by over 13,000 square feet including the Christian Life Center, a large kitchen, and additional classrooms. Dedication of the new addition was held on September 11, 2005. In January 2008, the church held a note burning service to burn the 15 year note for $600,000 on phase 1 of the church only 7 years after building was completed.
Mission outreach at the community, state, national, and even international level has been a priority of the church and individual members. Adults and youth have made mission trips to Mississippi and Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina devastated the region and the church has an on going relationship with the Myrtle Beach Christian Retreat in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Both youth and adults have made trips to MBCR.
Individuals (including the Pastor) went on missions to Panama, Indonesia, and Honduras. Local mission work included Upward Basketball, Vacation Bible School, CARITAS, and sponsorship for Scouting programs and food drives for Central Virginia Food Bank.
In September 2006, the Church began a Day School for children 2 ½ – 4 years with a Christian ministry to children of church members and in the community.
New Highland has Sunday School and a vibrant music ministry. A Wednesday night mid-week encounter gives families an opportunity to gather for a meal and youth and adults to attend classes on varied topics while children attend mission groups and choirs.
Since 2000, the Church has faithfully sought to serve The Lord in our community on New Ashcake Road and He has, in turn, blessed New Highland Baptist Church. We look forward to serving God in increasingly greater measure.
