Church History

The church started with a prayer meeting held in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Gene Standard on March 16, 1962. The first Sunday, there were 82 people in Sunday School. The following week, the church rented a building at the corner of Lumpkin Road and Peach Orchard Road. Services were held there for approximately the next nine months.

Rev. Jim Oates was called as the first pastor on June 17, 1962. The original name of the church was Bible Baptist Church.

On February 20, 1963, the church voted to purchase approximately 3 acres of land on Lumpkin Road (our present location). In October of that same year, the members voted to change the name to Lumpkin Road Baptist Church. Five months later, in March of 1964, the first service was held in the new building, which is currently the fellowship hall and Sunday School area.

Construction on the existing auditorium began in January 1972, and the first service was held in the new building on August 20, 1972. The new auditorium was dedicated on August 30, 1972, with then Lt. Governor Lester Maddox in attendance.

The following men have served as pastor of Lumpkin Road:

Rev. Jim Oates (1962-1966)

Rev. John Sparks (1966-1968)

Rev. Bob Liedy (1968-1970)

Rev. Taylor Osment (1970-1976)

Rev. Lenard Chavis (1976-2008)

Rev. Don Stone (2008-present)

Pastor Taylor L. Osment

1970 - 1975

Pastor Taylor L. Osment was called as pastor of Lumpkin Road in 1970. The early 70's were a very turbulent time in Augusta, for the Richmond County school system was in the process of implementing forced busing in order to fully racially integrate the schools. Many pastors in the area were concerned about the effect this forced integration would have on children, and private schools sprang up all over the county. Lumpkin Road was no exception, and opened its doors to children who were being forced to switch schools from Fleming Elementary to Southside Elementary against their parents' wishes. The school opened in 1972, meeting in various Sunday school classrooms. Pastor Osment continued to pastor the church and lead the school until 1975. He subsequently pastored Temple Baptist Church of Augusta, and passed away in 1990 at the age of 61.

Church Pictorial Directory from 1971

Church Pictorial Directory from 1974

Pastor Len Chavis

1976 - 2008

Pastor Len Chavis was called on to assist Lumpkin Road during a time of transition in the church. After consulting with the church for several months, he accepted a call to become pastor in April of 1976, and served faithfully in that capacity until his retirement in January 2008. Prior to his coming to Lumpkin Road, Pastor Chavis served as a music director, pastored four other churches, and served a term as Associate Missions Director of the Baptist Bible Fellowship.

Pastor Chavis brought to Lumpkin Road a vast array of talents - singing, preaching, chalk art, experience in teaching at Baptist Bible College, graphics design, radio broadcasting, and periodical publishing, among others.

When Pastor Chavis came to Lumpkin Road, the church was in financial difficulty due to some administrative errors regarding the Christian school. Under his leadership, the church paid off all indebtedness, and was set on sound financial ground.

Pastor Chavis oversaw two renovations of the sanctuary - the first in 1981, and the second in the early 90's. He also began the Light From Lumpkin newsletter.

Pastor Chavis stepped down in January of 2008, retiring from the pastorate in his 50th year of full-time ministry, and 32 years as pastor of Lumpkin Road Baptist Church.