Our Story

Highland Baptist Church is a place where people can meet Jesus, believers can engage in life-giving community, and everyone is welcome. We believe in creating a space where people can have authentic encounters with Christ, discover their gifts and use them for Him. Join us for our Sunday service!

On May 7, 1941, the First Baptist Church of Shelbyville began a mission at Second and Bradshaw Streets called the Baptist Chapel.  By all accounts, it started well.  On February 13, 1949, the mission was organized into the Second Street Baptist Church and called her first pastor.  The church name changed to Second Baptist Church on February 21, 1951, when a lot on U. S. 60 across from the Masonic Home in the Highlands was purchased and the process to construct a new building began.  It was only seven years later – on October 8, 1958 – that the congregation decided to become Highland Baptist Church.  Over time, the church would acquire 9.6 acres on Mt. Eden Road, build worship centers in January 1968 and June 1985, and add a family activity/education center in January 2006.

Our mission is to make disciples by engaging people with the transformative gospel of Jesus Christ.  Our vision is based on developing/strengthening missional connection groups, missional core groups, and church planting.  Part of our plan is to strategically partner with like-minded churches and ministries to advance the gospel in a community where 87% of the people on a given Sunday are not in a church worshipping God.