ABOUT

Our History

Watts Chapel Baptist Church has a rich history that dates back to 1911. The Church was initially organized in the Watts Chapel School building, which still stands today. Over the years, this building underwent several remodels and served as our meeting place until 1948.

In 1952, following the destruction of Turkey Town Baptist Church by fire, the congregation united with Watts Chapel. That same year, property was purchased to build a parsonage. By 1960, a brick veneer parsonage was completed.

The Church continued to grow throughout the years. In 1970, we expanded with an educational facility, and by 1971, the Church basement was equipped with restrooms and a kitchen, which underwent several renovations over the following years.

In 1981, a new baptismal pool was dedicated, symbolizing the spiritual growth of our Church family. The next year, we transitioned our association from the Rockcastle County Baptist Association to the Lincoln County Baptist Association, solidifying our connections within the broader Baptist community.

In 1984, we expanded further by acquiring additional property adjacent to our existing land. By 1986, the Church was equipped with air conditioning in the auditorium and a steeple was added, marking a significant improvement in both function and appearance.

As the congregation continued to grow, blueprints for a new building were finalized in 1990, which included a sanctuary with double the seating capacity and additional educational space. Groundbreaking for the new building took place in the fall of 1994, and it was completed in the spring of 1995 at a cost of $287,000. Over the years, the parking lot and facilities were expanded to accommodate the growing Church family.

In 1997, we installed a lighted Church sign, making our Church more visible to the community. A year later, in 1998, we began broadcasting our Sunday morning worship services on Wilcop Cable TV, reaching more people with the message of Christ.

The turn of the millennium saw more growth, including the establishment of a Church library in 1999, and the acquisition of an additional two acres of property.

Mission and Outreach

Throughout our history, Watts Chapel has been dedicated to serving both locally and globally. We have been involved in various mission projects, from small construction projects in our community to sending teams abroad to Uganda, Zimbabwe, and El Salvador. At home, we’ve helped local Churches with Vacation Bible School (VBS) and other service initiatives.

God has also blessed us with the calling of three young men from our congregation into vocational ministry in recent years, a testimony to the Church’s dedication to discipleship and developing leaders.

A New Beginning, A God-Given Vision

In May 2024, Rev. Caleb Davis was called to lead Watts Chapel Baptist Church during a time of transition. Though the Church had faced challenges, God clearly led Pastor Caleb to this congregation with a vision for revival and growth. With unwavering faith in God’s direction, Pastor Caleb has embraced the challenge of leading Watts Chapel into a new season of vibrant ministry centered around three core pillars: Disciple, Reach, and Pray.

Our Vision for the Future

At Watts Chapel, we believe that God has a clear and powerful plan for our future. As we move forward, we are committed to:

• Disciple: Making fully committed followers of Jesus Christ who are rooted in Scripture, growing in their faith, and equipped for service.
  
  

• Reach: Expanding the Kingdom of God by reaching those who don’t yet know Christ, through local outreach and global mission efforts.
  
  

• Pray: Building a Church culture that is deeply connected to God through prayer, seeking His guidance, strength, and wisdom as we pursue His vision for our church and community.
  
  

These pillars will guide everything we do as a church, fueling our desire to see God’s Kingdom expanded and His name glorified in Crab Orchard and beyond.

Join Us on the Journey

At Watts Chapel, we invite you to be part of this exciting journey. We are looking forward to what God will do in and through us as we follow His lead. Whether you are new to the area, seeking a Church home, or ready to get involved in serving, we welcome you to join us as we Disciple, Reach, Pray together in faith, hope, and love.

We are a Southern Baptist Church in Crab Orchard, Kentucky We are a Kentucky Baptist Church in Crab Orchard, Kentucky Tags: Baptist, Church, Crab Orchard, KY, Kentucky, Baptist Church, Watts Chape, Church in Crab Orchard, Church in Kentucky