According to a spokesman for the church, the hope is to commence construction on a new facility, in the next two years, and it will be located in the Lime Kiln Development district in West Basseterre, close to the headquarters of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.
The spokesman said that, they are seeking to complete the necessary plans that will create a more contemporary facility, consistent with today’s needs and demands.
The disclosure of this new project was made on Sunday 6th March, during an anniversary service held at the current Infirmary Road location of the church.
It was on March 5th, 1963, that the Baptist religious movement was launched by the late Reverend Dr. William Manasseh Connor, O.B.E.
Two months after, on 19th May 1963, Brother William M Connor was ordained at the Calvary Baptist Church in St Thomas, USVI thus becoming the first pastor of the Antioch Baptist Church, in St. Kitts.
On that date, 22 born-again believers followed the Lord in Believers’ Baptism and the same evening united with the Antioch Baptist Church of St Kitts (the first established Baptist Church in the Federation). The church began without the services of a Board of Directors, a committee, or a convention; it did not have a blue print, no program, no building. All it had was a man with a vision, a love for God, a bible, a big stick and the leadership of the Holy Spirit, said Brother Keithley Phillip, while outlining the history of the Baptist faith on the island, at Sunday’s morning service.
In 1964, the Antioch Baptist Church started a new mission station in Lodge Village. This new mission was later placed in the care of Pastor Kelvin Jones and in 1976 was organised into the Mount Carmel Baptist Church.
In the providence of God, the Antioch Baptist Church started a second mission station on the island, this time in the village of St. Paul’s in August of 1965. Antioch, the mother church, administered the Calvary Baptist Church for fifteen years from 1965 to 1980 when the church was handed over to Pastor Calvin Hazel at the beginning of 1981.
In 1966, after worshipping at the Unity Friendly Society Hall, for three years, Antioch Baptist Church built its place of worship on Infirmary Road. Also in 1966, the Antioch Baptist Church introduced Vacation Bible School to the Federation.
In 1986, the church purchased the property adjacent to the existing structure.
In 1990 after robbing hell and exalting Jesus for 27 years as pastor of the Antioch Baptist Church, Brother William Connor was called home to glory. Pastor Kelvin Jones was then called as the pastor of the Antioch Baptist Church and served faithfully as pastor for 12 years.
In 1996 the Church completed the construction of the Baptist Academy, which today houses Sunday school classes and is a welcomed extension of the sanctuary.
On Sunday 26 May 2002, the present pastor, Brother Lincoln Connor was ordained and installed as the third pastor of Antioch Baptist Church.
Over the years the Antioch Baptist Church has produced over 15 pastors who are pastoring churches across the world. Today the church continues a vibrant tradition which is integrated with modern methodology for the proclamation of the gospel.
In two short years the Antioch Baptist Church will celebrate its 50th year of service and begin construction of its new sanctuary at Lime Kiln Commercial Development.
Last Sunday Antioch was joined in service by members of ZIZ Radio, as the station celebrates if 50th Anniversary. ZIZ radio was established on Sunday 5th March, 1961, thus reaching its ‘golden anniversary’ on Saturday 5th March, 2011.
Last Sunday’s service also incorporated presentations from the Ministry of Gender Affairs, which itself was embarking on a week-long program of celebration of the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day, (Tuesday 8th March).