Who is Hempridge?
Who is Hempridge?
Hempridge Baptist Church is a Baptist congregation with a progressive Christian orientation. We believe that faith is not about having every answer or agreeing with a particular set of doctrines. It is about seeking God faithfully, following the teachings and example of Jesus, and growing together in faith, hope, love, justice, and inclusion.
We value the Bible as a central source for our faith and life together, while recognizing that faithful Christians have always wrestled with Scripture, asked questions, and interpreted difficult passages in different ways. We welcome honest questions and thoughtful conversation, believing that faith can grow stronger through sincere seeking.
We are affiliated with Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Kentucky (CBF Kentucky), a Baptist fellowship that emphasizes the autonomy of local congregations, freedom in biblical interpretation, the priesthood of all believers, religious liberty, missions, and the full participation of women in ministry. Our relationship with CBF Kentucky connects Hempridge with a wider community of Baptist churches and ministries while preserving our congregation’s ability to discern its own calling and ministry together.
Hempridge Baptist Church has been part of the Shelby County community for more than a century. Located east of Shelbyville near Hempridge Road and KY 714, our church has a long history of gathering people together for worship, fellowship, learning, and service.
The Hempridge community itself is connected to Kentucky’s historic hemp-growing tradition. One local tradition tells that the area received its name after Henry Clay was shown an especially large stalk of hemp and suggested the name “Hempridge.” The church building dates to 1916, and Hempridge was already an established Baptist congregation by the middle of the twentieth century. In 1948, the Shelby County Baptist Association held its annual meeting at Hempridge, reflecting the church’s longstanding place within the Baptist community of the region.
Hempridge’s Baptist roots also reach back to Louisville. A deacon from Crescent Hill Baptist Church helped the group that founded Hempridge establish the congregation. For many years, Hempridge was served by pastors who were students or graduates of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, continuing a strong tradition of Baptist preaching, biblical study, and pastoral ministry. The Women’s Missionary Union at Hempridge has a long history of supporting local and foreign missions financially and through special projects.
Today, Hempridge is embracing a new season while honoring the faithfulness of those who came before us. Our mission is simple:
Radical inclusion | We seek to welcome people as they are and make room for people at every stage of their faith journey.
Warm, accepting fellowship | We want church to feel like a community where people know they belong.
Traditional hymn singing | We value the beauty and depth of congregational hymn singing.
Inspirational and thoughtful preaching and Bible study | We engage Scripture seriously while making room for questions, context, interpretation, and conversation.
A place to ask questions | Doubt, curiosity, disagreement, and honest questions have a place here.
Opportunities to serve | We believe faith is lived through loving our neighbors and contributing to the life of our community.
A chance to help shape our future | Hempridge is entering a new season, and we welcome people who want to participate in discerning where God is leading us.
A commitment to the teachings of Jesus | We seek to put Jesus’ teachings of love, mercy, justice, compassion, forgiveness, and care for others into practice.
An environment for authentic faith | We want people to be able to explore what they believe without fear, pressure, or shame.
Instead, we invite you to seek a vital faith together | to worship, question, learn, serve, laugh, struggle, and grow alongside one another.