Young members of Vienna Baptist Church attend youth service in the sanctuary of the church. (Photo Provided)

VIENNA — For the past century, Vienna Baptist Church has been a beacon of faith and service in the community of Vienna.

Founded in 1924, the congregation has weathered the test of time, adapting to the changing needs of its community while staying true to its mission.

“We were founded with the mission of fulfilling the Great Commission, go make disciples of all peoples,” Reverend Dr. William “Bill” Brown said. “And that has continued to be our mission.”

Over the decades, Vienna Baptist has seen remarkable growth and transformation. From its humble beginnings with just 77 members, the church flourished under the leadership of pastors like Reverend F. M. Tolbert, who oversaw over 600 baptisms during his 31-year tenure.

“In 100 years, there have only been seven pastors, which is really uncommon in churches today,” Brown said. “I think that stability of leadership has helped the church be healthier than average.”

An aerial view of Vienna Baptist Church shows the original building built in 1952 in the front with the white steeple and the other additions added over its 100 years of service. (Photo Provided)

In 1954, the congregation moved to its current location on 34th Street, building a new sanctuary that would serve the community for generations to come.

“We are here to serve a community, not just for ourselves,” said Brown. “That vision of building for people we don’t even know yet has been a guiding principle for Vienna Baptist.”

That commitment to the community is evident in the church’s many outreach programs. For the past 15 years, Vienna Baptist has partnered with Vienna Elementary through the Kids Hope USA mentoring initiative, providing positive adult role models for at-risk children. The church also runs a weekend food program, delivering around 80 bags of groceries per week to students in need at local schools.

“It’s not about proselytizing; it’s about having a positive presence in the lives of these kids,” Brown explained. “We want to meet the real needs of our community, not just the ones we think they have.”

This spirit of service extends to the church’s annual Christmas Eve offering, which has generated over $120,000 in grants for other local churches and nonprofits over the past six years.

Vienna Baptist Church Reverend Dr. William “Bill” Brown has been the church’s senior pastor for the past 17 years. Brown said he doesn’t know why he was called to Vienna Baptist, but he is the beneficiary of the “hard work and vision” of the long-tenured members like Barbara Norman and Phyllis Perkins. (Photo Provided)

As Vienna Baptist celebrates its centennial, the focus is on honoring the past while preparing for the future. The church has planned a month-long series of events, including a night of laughter, an ice cream social, and a concert by Christian artist Josiah Queen.

“Some of this, like the Josiah Queen concert and the night of laughter, those are things we’ve never done before,” Brown said. “That was an idea from our 20-30 somethings.”

Beyond the festivities, the congregation is looking to the next generation of leaders to carry on the mission. As they celebrate 100 years, the congregation looks forward to the next century of changing lives and making a difference in the community.

“We’re trying to be good stewards of what God has given us, so that we can help the generations behind us continue the work we’ve been called to do,” Brown said. “It’s not about what we’re going to build or start, but about who we’re becoming and how we can invest in others.”

Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newandsentinel.com

Members of the Vienna Baptist Church congregational choir, under the guidance of director of music Cathy Grewe-Engle, perform. (Photo Provided)