Highland
History

Highland Place Baptist Chapel began December 3, 1950 as a mission of College Avenue Baptist Church. Taylor Pendley pastored the mission with 42 people attending the first service in a laundry on Orlando Avenue and 34^th Street. On June 3, 1951, the mission held its first service in its own building and was organized into a church with 149 charter members. Brother Pendley resigned as pastor in 1952 to work with the Baptist General Convention of Texas as a church/mission developer.

I. D. Walker became pastor in September, 1952, and led the church through five major building programs. Two missions were begun and the church reached its largest enrollment and attendance in Sunday school during the mid-sixties; 1,000+ people attended Sunday School on several occasions. Brother Walker resigned in September 1970, to work in missions in Alaska.

Richard Waters pastored from February, 1971 to September 1985. During those years the current worship center was built, the annex purchased and renovated, the Highland Place Shopping Center was purchased (including the laundry where the church began), and the Safeway building renovated to become the Activity Center. Dr. Waters became Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1985.

Stan Blevins became pastor in January, 1986. He continues to lead Highland today, joined by four other full-time ministerial staff. In the years of Dr. Stan's tenure, all debt has been retired and significant renovation and restoration has been accomplished. In 1991 the church observed its 40th Anniversary and in 2001 its 50th Anniversary.    Highland has transitioned in ministry to accommodate the demographic changes within its ministry area. The church provides space for Lubbock Area Baptist Association and Exodus Prison Ministry. It reaches out to its area through the Baby Closet, Upward Basketball, the Highland Institute of Music and many other innovative ministries. Dr. Blevins led the church into the FAITH Witnessing Strategy in 2000, resulting in over 150 members trained to be effective Christian witnesses.

Highland enjoys a warm and contagious fellowship in Christ, and shares the conviction that "with Jesus, the best is always yet to come."