History of Southside

In the year of 1953, Second Baptist Church of Princeton felt the need for a mission in the Shirt Factory Addition of the city. A vacant house was secured and Services began with Sunday School at 11:00 A.M. and preaching at 10:00 A.M. This was in order that the pastor, Bro. H.D. Knight could carry on services at the Mission as well as services at Second Baptist.

Later, other young ministers came and worked with the Mission. Second Baptist was sponsor of this work until 1955. At that time, the property was sold to First Baptist.

Bro. H.G.M. Hatler, pastor of first Baptist continued the work started by Second Baptist.
The Lord blessed in many ways and after much prayer, they saw the need for an organized church to carry on the work in the community. with this purpose in mind, the Mission on Nichols street became South Side Baptist Church.

On the Sunday of February 5, 1956, in an afternoon service beginning at 2 o'clock, the South Side Baptist Church was organized with 74 members coming from First Baptist and eight members from other local churches for a total of 82 charter members.

On March 11, 1956, Rev Gates Bowman was called to be the first pastor. Bro. Bowman Accepted the call and began his ministry on April 15, 1956. On that same date, the name of the church was changed to "Southside" instead of "South Side". Bro. Gates Bowman served as pastor until November 14, 1959.

Rev. Wallis Gray served as Interim Pastor until Rev Deward Hurst became pastor on February 14, 1960.

Rev. Don Moore served as Pastor June 1, 1960 - January 31, 1968.

Rev. HGM Hatler again served as Interim Pastor.

Rev. Don Mathis served as pastor May 26, 1968 - October 14, 1979.

David Ezell served as the first full-time Minister of Music.

Rev. Thomas Shelton served as Interim Pastor October 1979 - August 1980.

Rev. Bob Noffsinger served as pastor September 21, 1980 - December 1990.

Phil Newcom was the first full-time Minister of Music and Youth.

The church moved into a new sanctuary, office complex, nursery and music facilities in April 1981.

Rev. J.Bill Jones served as Interim Pastor January-June 1991.

Rev. Ronnie Sivells began his pastorate on July 1, 1991.

In November 1988, the church called Ron Green to serve as Minister of Music and Youth.

In August 1992, the church called John Benton as its first Associate Pastor.

In November 1999, Ron Green resigned to go to Central Baptist, Corbin.

Steve Bristow would serve as interim and later Ron Sholar. During this time, it was decided that the position of Minister of Music and Youth should be split.

On May 8, 2000, Gerald Cannon was called as the first Minister of Youth and Children.

On January 7, 2002, David Scott was called as the Minister of Music.

In June 2004 Ronnie Sivells resigned as Pastor and assumed responsibilities with the Kentucky Baptist Convention working with churches in Western Kentucky.

Rev. J. Bill Jones served as Interim Pastor from July of 2004 to September of 2005.

Rev. Delton Beall from Virginia was called as Pastor on September 15, 2005.

Rev. Delton Beall left in September 2008 and assumed responsibilities with the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists.

Staff and guest speakers filled the pulpit from September 2008 - June 2009.

Rev. Bruce Hodge was called as Transitional Pastor in July of 2009.