Our History

In 1988 a group of Baptist Christians gathered to form a faith community that recognizes and celebrates the value of every individual, and empowers all people to become all that God calls them to be. From its beginning, Broadus has been a church committed to ‘congregational polity’-everyone has a voice and role to play in worship, leadership, and service.The church met at Jack Jouett Middle School for several years under the pastoral and musical leadership of Bob Wheeler before acquiring the property on which we are now located. The current building was constructed in 1993.

The first full-time pastor to team with Bob to provide pastoral leadership of Broadus was Eddie Freeman. Eddie was a committed pastor, who sadly and tragically died on a Sunday morning from a heart attack. Eddie’s memory is honored in the many lives he touched by his enthusiasm for the church and service to Christ. His memory is also cherished through the Eddie Freeman Fund, now over $50,000 strong, that supports short-term misison projects.

Why the unusual name? Broadus Memorial is named for John Broadus, who was pastor of First Baptist Charlottesville from 1854-1859. Rev. Broadus was respected as an outstanding preacher, scholar, and pastor. When he left Charlottesville, he helped found the Southern Baptist Seminary-the first school of higher education for Baptists in America.

The congregation voted in 1988 to adopt the name Broadus Memorial to honor his ministry and to be a reminder of Jesus’ call to love God with all our minds, our strength, and our hearts. The church is still committed to these values.

Click here to read more about the life of “perhaps the greatest man Baptists have produced.”