Our History
Ridgewood is a progressive community of faith that believes all people are beloved children of God no matter their age, gender, race, ethnicity, or sexuality. All are equally capable and worthy of serving in all leadership facets of the Church.
Ridgewood Baptist Church started in 1952 as a plant of Beechland Baptist Church's Chapel service. Since the early days, the members and ministers of Ridgewood have always lived on the edge of the Southern Baptist Convention until they decided to leave it completely a few decades ago. Since then, Ridgewood has aligned with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, which has typically taken a more moderate stance on female leadership and LGBTQIA+ acceptance; and the American Baptist Church, which shares similar theological traits.
In 2009, Ridgewood partnered with Highland Baptist Church in Louisville, KY after several years of searching for identity. After 9 years of varying degrees of staff and financial support, Ridgewood and Highland officially ended their partnership prior to 2018, but remain supportive of each other's ministries and proud of the historical partnership.
In December of 2019, Ridgewood called their first female Pastor, Rev. Molly Shoulta Tucker, who began on January 1, 2020.