High Street Baptist Church, pastored by Eddie Lyons, marked a significant milestone on Sunday, April 19, as the congregation celebrated 90 years of ministry and God’s faithfulness while also looking ahead to the future through a groundbreaking ceremony for a major building project, including an addition and renovation.
Founded in 1936, High Street has been a longstanding Gospel witness in Springfield and around the world. Over nine decades, the church has developed a legacy of biblical preaching, missions involvement, discipleship, and multigenerational ministry.
The 90th anniversary celebration centered on the theme, “Together We Celebrate,” reflecting gratitude for the church’s past and anticipation for the opportunities ahead. Special guests included original member Tootie Britton, along with former pastors Bill Rogers and Otis Nixdorf.
The celebration also included the baptism of 18 individuals during the church’s unified worship service, providing a powerful reminder that while High Street honored its past, God is still changing lives in the present.
Lyons said the day highlighted two defining truths in the church’s history, the unwavering faithfulness of God and a continued passion to share the Gospel locally and around the world.
“We are deeply grateful for all God has done through High Street these past ninety years,” Lyons said. “As we celebrate His goodness in the past, we are also excited about what He has prepared for the future.”
Church leaders noted that recent growth among young families and especially children has created a need for expanded ministry space. In response, the church launched the “Together We Build” campaign in late 2025, reviving the same theme used when the congregation moved into its current facility in 1978.
The upcoming project will include expanded children’s ministry space, a new atrium entrance area, and renovations designed to update and unify the church’s existing facilities.
Following the morning service, former chairmen of the deacons and members of the missions committee joined Lyons for a ceremonial groundbreaking. While preliminary work has already begun, leaders said the event symbolized the congregation’s commitment to move forward in obedience to the Lord’s leading.
Logan Counts, an associate pastor and long-time member of the church, said the church desired to honor its heritage while preparing for future ministry.
“For ninety years, High Street has been a place where people have heard the good news of Jesus Christ,” Counts said. “We believe the next chapter will continue that mission as we make room for the generations to come.”
As High Street Church celebrates its rich history, the congregation now looks ahead with renewed vision, trusting God to continue His work in the years to come.
Click here to watch a video shown during the worship service highlighting 90 years.
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