28 Years of History

In July of 1978, Hyles Baptist Church was started in the home of Bill & Margaret May. By the end of 1978, the Lord was really blessing and services were moved to a Holiday Inn, where Sunday School was taught by Bill May and preaching was heard on cassette tapes by Dr. Jack Hyles. In 1979, HBC moved to the old red barn on Hull Street Road that today is a housing development. There a graduate of Hyles-Anderson College became the pastor for 7 years. After his resignation in 1985, it took one year to find another Pastor, which resulted in the unfortunate loss of members. But thank God in August of 1986, Bill May was led by the Lord to call Ron Talley to become the Pastor. A handful of people met in what would be the first service for the newly organized Hyles Baptist Church. Little did Pastor Talley or the people with him realize the impact this refuge would have on literally thousands of people. 

God began to bless Hyles Baptist Church in a great way. In the 1990’s, our church experienced steady, solid growth. People were being saved, families were being reached, and new ministries were being started. One of these was the bus ministry. God mightily used a group of laymen and women who were willing to work and sacrifice so that multitudes could be reached through the buses. Names such as Lacks, May and Wright led the way in establishing this great outreach to Richmond and the surrounding area.

Growth continued as God gave Pastor Talley the vision of relocating the church facility to eleven acres of property on Courthouse Road. In 1990, Pastor Talley’s vision became a reality as the church moved to our present location. The year 2002 brought the birth of Freedom Christian Academy. 

 
The hand of God upon this place has been evident from the first day in the old red barn to this day. On September 17, 2006, Hyles Baptist Church celebrated twenty years with Pastor Talley and Associate Pastor, Jim Lacks. As we look back, we must say "To God be the Glory, great things He hath done." But the members of Hyles Baptist Church are not satisfied with resting on the blessings of the past. As we look to the future, we ask, "Lord, plant my feet on higher ground!"