About us
Our Mission
The mission of the West End Baptist Church is given by our Lord in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Our church adheres to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. For a complete view of this, you may read it here.
Core Principles
Our ministries at West End Baptist Church are driven by 4 core principles to develop a Christ-like culture:
Biblically Driven
Christ-Centered
Gospel Filled
Others Focused
Our Story
The history of the West End Baptist Church demonstrates what God can do through a few faithful, obedient, and determined believers. In the late 1970s, God began working in the hearts of a few committed local Baptist believers. He impressed upon them for a need for a Southern Baptist witness in the west end of Austin County.
This impress became a full-blown vision, and on July 6, 1980, the vision became a reality when the West End Baptist Mission Church met for worship in the home of John and Judy Winship. The First Baptist Church of Bellville sponsored this new mission work and Earl Meyers was called as the first mission pastor. These determined, faithful few continued to meet and reach out into the community. Growth was slow but steady. The Lord continued to encourage this new church family for the blessings always outnumbered the struggles.
Then, on August 24, 1980, the church moved its meeting site from the Winship home to the West End Elementary School Cafeteria, and on November 13, the church purchased three acres of land. The property was located on Highway 109, approximately one-half mile south of Highway 159 in Industry, Texas. This land site would eventually become the permanent home for the West End Baptist Church family.
By February 1983, a building fund was established and in July, approximately 50 men and women from the church, the community, and the San Felipe Baptist Association, began work on a new building. By November, the church started meeting in their new home, and substantial numerical growth was experienced. On May 20, 1984, the church left its mission status and became an independent local body of believers associated with the Southern Baptist Convention. In November, 1984, Dennis C. Keen was called as Pastor of the West End Baptist Church.
This was only the beginning, for in the next few years, the church experienced rapid growth and was soon outgrowing her building. Again, the Lord called His people to enlarge the building facility. The church answered the call sacrificially supporting the addition of a new worship center, a fellowship hall, and additional education space. This time, the church received the help of the Texas Baptist Retiree Builders. These men and their families, not only constructed the new facility, but made the building project a time of revival and spiritual renewal for the entire church family. On September 24, 1989, the new facility was dedicated to the Lord with a commitment from her members to continue building His Church on the foundation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of all.
Since that time, the Church has continued to grow and diligently seeks to ready the West End community for Jesus. We grew so rapidly, that in March 1999, additional educational-recreational space was approved with groundbreaking ceremonies in May. God continued to show His faithfulness to the church through the 2000s, as God worked in the hearts and lives of the His people here. Missionaries were sent out from this church, spanning different parts of the globe. It is amazing to realize how this church is influencing the world in this way!
A new children’s wing was added in 2019. This is key as the church looks to see a new generation turn to Christ. Pastor Dennis Keen retired after nearly 40 years at West End Baptist Church, a testimony of God’s faithfulness!
Today, our new building is in use, as we continue to go about our Father’s business, as commanded, by making disciples and baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is so good! He, alone, is worthy of our worship and praise! God continues to bless us with His presence and continues to bless our efforts to reach the community. To God be the glory!