In 1964 Rev. Leonard Holloway and a few faithful people were led by the Lord to plant a new church in the north hills of Meridian. Northcrest Baptist Mission opened its doors in a storefront building in the North Hills Shopping Center on 35th Avenue in 1964. This new mission was co-sponsored by Eastview Baptist Church and Eighth Avenue Baptist Church. Rev. Leonard Holloway was called as the first pastor. Northcrest Baptist Church was constituted on June 20, 1965, and officially accepted as a member of the Lauderdale Baptist Association.

From the time the tiny congregation began meeting in the shopping center, there were plans to build a permanent structure across the “hollow” and up on the hill on North Hills Street. Just six months after becoming a church, Northcrest voted on Feb. 17, 1966, to construct its first building, a 260-seat Worship Center at 3412 North Hills St. When completed this building was virtually the only structure on North Hills Street, besides an occasional house and the bowling alley.

In 1973 Rev. C. B. Roberson was called as pastor and served until 1975. Rev. Chris Cornelius was called as pastor in 1975 and served until 1982. Rev. Malcolm Lewis served as pastor from November 1982 until Aug. 31, 2007. Dr. Dan Lanier became the fifth pastor in January 2009 and continues to serve in that capacity.

Northcrest has seen much growth since the 32 members that were present on Dr. Lewis’ first Sunday in 1982 and Northcrest has expanded and built new buildings on the campus since that time. Northcrest averages more than 1,000 weekly in worship.

About the church:

Name: Northcrest Baptist.

Pastor: Dr. Dan Lanier, 8 years.

Denomination: Southern Baptist.

Founded: 1965.

Members: 3,295 reported in 2015.

Address: 3412 North Hills St.

Contact Info: northcrestbaptist.com (601) 482-3498.

Service Times:

Sunday – 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Wednesday – 6:30 p.m.

Weekly Programs:

LifeGroups, AWANA, children’s choir, student worship, missions.

Special upcoming events:

Chonda Pierce, Awesome August.

Annual event special to our church:

Love Out Loud (every July).

Fall Festival.

Vacation Bible School.

Cheryl Owens coordinates the Worship Site Profile, which is published Saturdays in The Meridian Star. Recommend your site to cowens@themeridianstar.com.