Court Street Baptist Church
Court Street Baptist Church
AI Summary
The church, established September 7, 1789, is the oldest Baptist congregation in Portsmouth and Norfolk and served as the mother church for several other congregations; its Romanesque Revival sanctuary, designed by Reuben H. Hunt, was completed in 1903. Describing itself as an inclusive, Bible-based community, it welcomed Rev. Steve Shaw as its 24th pastor in 2024, with Dr. L. Wilbur Kersey serving as Pastor Emeritus. Visitors are invited to come forward during the last hymn to declare faith (the pastor will invite follow-up after the service), and membership is accepted by public declaration or by transfer for those with prior baptism (believer’s baptism or infant baptism plus confirmation); baptisms are scheduled on a separate Sunday. The church welcomes prayers and financial support, offers online giving through Tithe.ly, and lists a public office phone at (757) 393-2312 with links on Google Places, Facebook, and Instagram; its website is hosted on Wix.
Worship Style
Traditional/Hymns
⛪Church Details
🙏Ministries
📜Version History
Changes:
- Name:Court Street Baptist Church
- Street Address:447 Court St.
- Address Line 2:(removed)
- +7 more changes
Added location: Court Street Baptist Church
Changes:
- Name:Court Street Baptist Church
- Website URL:https://www.courtstreetbaptist.com
- Summary:The church, established September 7, 1789, is the oldest Baptist congregation in Portsmouth and Norfolk and served as the mother church for several other congregations; its Romanesque Revival sanctuary, designed by Reuben H. Hunt, was completed in 1903. Describing itself as an inclusive, Bible-based community, it welcomed Rev. Steve Shaw as its 24th pastor in 2024, with Dr. L. Wilbur Kersey serving as Pastor Emeritus. Visitors are invited to come forward during the last hymn to declare faith (the pastor will invite follow-up after the service), and membership is accepted by public declaration or by transfer for those with prior baptism (believer’s baptism or infant baptism plus confirmation); baptisms are scheduled on a separate Sunday. The church welcomes prayers and financial support, offers online giving through Tithe.ly, and lists a public office phone at (757) 393-2312 with links on Google Places, Facebook, and Instagram; its website is hosted on Wix.
- +8 more changes
Initial church data
Last updated: 3/19/2026