The History of Southland Baptist Church

On July 11, 1956, the Race Street Baptist Mission, being led by the Lord to organize into a Church, called upon the Bible Baptist Church for authority to organize the Southland Missionary Baptist Church. The church met at 1822 Race St. in Cincinnati, Ohio. James Roberts was officially voted in as pastor on August 4, 1956. The charter members were: James Roberts, Clyde Brasel, Harold Rolison, Harold Roberts, Herman Rolison, Dorothy Roberts, Maye.

1959, when Bro. L. B. Huskey was elected pastor for the following year Bro. Huskey resigned in 1961. Bro. Buford Earls was voted in as pastor on August 5 ,1961, where he remained so until September of 1962 when Bro. James Roberts was voted back in as pastor until March of Brasel, & Beulah Rolison. Bro. Roberts served as pastor of SMBC until August 1, 1979. Having outgrown its current location, the church moved to the corner of Westwood & Grand Avenue, 1701 Westwood Ave., in March 1964.

The Lord continued to bless & they soon needed a new building. The Southland Missionary Baptist Church moved to 2394 Grant Street, Cincinnati, OH, in September 1972. Eventually they purchased the adjacent lot for further expansion.

On August 4, 1979 the church voted Sam Hall as pastor. In the spring of 1988 some men noticed a piece of property for sale not far from the current location. Feeling led by the Lord, the church purchased the land & began building. The SMBC started meeting at 2485 Springdale Rd, Cincinnati, OH, in August 1990. Pastor Sam Hall retired in February 2000, after 21 yrs as pastor.

On March 26, 2000, James R. Love began as pastor of SMBC. The Lord blessed and the church mortgage was paid off in January 2001. Pastor Love continues to serve as pastor of SMBC.