Burton Memorial Baptist Church
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
Burton Memorial today
Church and congregation in mid-1960s
Mordecai Ham, grandson to Burton's founder Mordecai Ham. This Mordecai Ham pictured was the one that converted Billy Graham.
Billy Graham in 1966
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Burton Memorial Baptist Church (formerly Drakes Creek Baptist Church) is a historic church on Cemetery Road in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Church was organized December 28, 1850 by Mordecai F. Ham Sr., originally under the full name of "The United Baptist Church of Jesus Christ called Drakes Creek". Mordecai Ham Sr. was buried after his death at the Church Cemetery. His grandson, Mordecai F. Ham Jr., who is perhaps best known for leading Billy Graham to Christ, would later be ordained into ministry at then Drakes Creek Baptist Church.
Drakes Creek became Burton Memorial in memory of founding member William Burton and in appreciation to the generous offer to build a new sanctuary by his grandson. The current stone sanctuary was constructed in 1911 and the education wing was added on in 1950.
Burton Memorial is a cooperating church with the Southern Baptist Convention and the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
*From Burton Memorial's website:
"Burton Memorial’s story began when she was constituted in 1850 as Drakes Creek Baptist Church. Her founding pastor was Mordecai Ham. He was the grandfather of the evangelist of the same name who led Billy Graham to Christ.
Drakes Creek became Burton Memorial in memory of founding member William Burton and in appreciation to the generous offer to build a new sanctuary by his grandson. The current stone sanctuary was constructed in 1911 and the education wing was constructed around 1950.
In 1971, our building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2002 Burton Memorial called their most recent pastor, Pastor Kevin Hash, who led the church until December 24th 2013.
In 2004, under the leadership of Ron Nelson, Burton constructed a recreation area that included a full court basketball court, putt-putt course, playground area, and shelter. It was constructed as a gift to the community.
Burton has been recognized both locally and state-wide for its efforts and success in connecting with college age students. For a few years Burton even went to two services when WKU was in session to accommodate the influx of students to our old stone church in the country. Part of the success has been attributed to Burton’s inclusion of college students in all aspects of our ministry (worship, leadership, service). This involved creating internships for students hungry for ministry: pastoral, youth, children, and (most recently) community outreach internships.
In recently years God has opened up a door to serve the Bryant Way Housing Area, where Burton has been loving that community through block parties, parenting seminars, and our three day-a-week after school program.
You would think a 163 year old church would be easy to figure out, but Burton is not defined by tradition, or music styles, or race, or economic status. Burton is defined by a common love for Jesus Christ that draws people from a variety of backgrounds to form one community."