Broadway Christian Church began on May 1, 1870 and belongs to the Restoration Movement of Churches. These churches have three criteria that set them apart: (1) they desire to adhere to the faith and practices of the New Testament Church, and believe, therefore, in Biblical authority, (2) they strive for unity within the body of Christ, and (3) they are autonomous, meaning they do not associate with a denominational headquarters and are, therefore, independent. Additionally, since keeping membership records around the turn of the twentieth century, approximately 9400 people have joined this church. Four elements have defined the work of Broadway Christian Church throughout her history: innovation, devotion to God’s Word, ministry through Christian Service and the starting of other churches.

Broadway has also been known for its prowess in the area of Bible Study. Traditionally, this church has excelled in the area of Sunday School, a.k.a. Bible School. Over the years many classes have been formed for the purposes of deeper study into God’s Word and to enhance fellowship among fellow believers. Two of our additions, the Annex behind our Worship Auditorium in 1951, and the Education Building parallel to North Broadway in 1960, were created for the express purpose of creating room for more Sunday School Classes. Broadway also has numerous Life Groups which are Bible Studies that meet in the homes at other times during the week.

Innovation is an adjective which aptly describes Broadway. In 1902, Broadway instituted a pipe organ in its worship. At the time, this caused an uproar. Some churches within the Restoration Movement believe that the Bible does not permit the use of instrumental music in worship. Broadway maintains that while the New Testament does not expressly say anything “for” or “against” the subject, God did not regard this to be a serious doctrinal matter and it was therefore a matter of preference. A pipe organ still remains in our Auditorium and it, as well as a variety of other instruments, are used to supplement our voices in the praise and worship of God on Sunday mornings. Today, we strive for a “blended” worship in hopes of attracting people across generational lines. In 1976, Broadway saw the completion of its Activities Building. This structure helps provide the opportunity for members to fellowship together through sports and games.

Broadway has also sought to give strong support of missions both near and far. In the late 1940s a group of men from Broadway, along with a few from other area churches worked to acquire a property along Boone Creek, the divide between Fayette and Clark counties, for the purpose of creating a Christian Service Camp for youth. Today Blue Grass Christian Camp has been used by God to call many to Him. In the middle 1980s the dream of a Christian retirement facility became a reality. Broadway was one of the major contributors to the establishment of Sayre Christian Village. In 1998, we gave the bottom floor of our activities building to be used as a venue to help feed the hungry of downtown Lexington. God’s Pantry has operated its largest satellite outlet from that location ever since. Our Members are the primary staffers during the weeknights. The Blue Grass Men’s Fellowship had had the inkling to start an Ethnically Hispanic Church for the growing immigrant population in the Lexington Area. In 2003, Everybody’s Church, the occupant of the former Centenary United Methodist building which is adjacent to Broadway, closed its doors and deeded their property over to us. Rather than choose to sell the property to help vanquish the debt owed for renovation projects of its own, the leadership of Broadway stepped out on faith in hopes that the need for the Hispanic speaking congregation could be begun. Broadway, in partnership with three other congregations and with the assistance of the Men’s Fellowship, started Iglesia del Senor Jesucristo. That same year, Broadway was the primary catalyst for the establishment of the CenterPointe Christian Church on Lexington’s fast-growing Westside. Additionally, the church supports 20 missions through its General Fund on a consistent financial basis.

Perhaps Broadway’s greatest contribution to God’s Kingdom has been the establishment of other churches in the greater-Lexington area. Throughout its history Broadway has sacrificially given of its own membership to start several churches that God still uses to do his work today. God has used the people of Broadway Christian Church to start the following churches:

Broadway has been here for almost 137 years. Thirteen men have served as its preachers. Countless Elders and Deacons have served this congregation over the years. It is still going strong because it has been devoted to God’s Word, innovative in its ministry, supportive of other missions/ministries and has given of its membership and offerings to start other churches in the Central Kentucky Area.