A Legacy of Faith Since 1903
From a one-room chapel to a global Gospel mission, Bellevue has shared the love of Christ for over 120 years.
In 1903, Dr. Thomas Potts of Central Baptist Church led his congregation to plant a mission church, later to be known as Bellevue Baptist Church, on the outskirts of Memphis. Adding to $1,000 donated by member Fannie Jobe, Central built a one-room stone chapel and dedicated it debt-free on July 12.
At the first worship service, Bellevue’s first pastor, Henry Hurt, said he hoped the new church would become one of the greatest powers for good the city of Memphis had ever seen.
Thirty-two founding members signed the charter on August 9.
After Dr. Hurt resigned because of poor health, Dr. Richard M. Inlow served as pastor from 1915 to 1921.
Bellevue’s third pastor, Dr. William Bostick, led the congregation to build a 1,000-seat auditorium to replace the stone chapel.
From 1927 to 1960, Pastor Robert G. Lee preached the “inspired, inerrant, infallible” Word of God from Bellevue’s pulpit.
The first annual Love Offering was taken during the Great Depression when Dr. Lee asked the people to give sacrificially toward paying off the church’s debt. In December 1934, the congregation rejoiced when God miraculously provided $34,000—exceeding the goal of $30,000.
A beautiful 3,000-seat sanctuary at 70 North Bellevue Avenue was dedicated to God on April 27, 1952.
“For 40 years this building has been a dream,” said Dr. Robert G. Lee. “Since I began preaching, I have always wanted to have an adequate place to preach the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
On January 5, 1958, Bellevue became the first church in the world to broadcast services using its own television equipment. As a result of this step of faith, many more people heard the Gospel and were saved.
After Dr. Lee retired, Dr. Ramsey Pollard served as pastor from 1960 to 1972. Under his wise, caring leadership, Bellevue continued sharing Jesus with the community and the world.
In September 1972, a unanimous congregation voted to call Dr. Adrian Rogers as pastor. During his 32 years of bold Bible preaching, Bellevue’s membership grew exponentially. The light and truth of the Gospel were broadcast around the globe, while presentations like the Singing Christmas Tree and the Memphis Passion Play led thousands more to faith in Jesus Christ.
After voting to relocate the church to northeastern Shelby County, groundbreaking for a new church building was held in July 1987. On November 19, 1989, nearly 14,000 attended the first worship service at 2000 Appling Road in Cordova.
On January 1, 2000, Bellevue dedicated three landmark crosses that are visible from Interstate 40.
After Dr. Rogers’ retirement in 2005, the church enthusiastically voted to call Dr. Steve Gaines as Bellevue’s seventh pastor. Bro. Steve preached his first sermon as Pastor in September of 2005. A man of God’s Word, prayer, and vision, he has led Bellevue forward in the new millennium, focusing on loving God, loving people, sharing Jesus, and making disciples.
In 2007, Bro. Steve unveiled Bellevue Loves Memphis— an ongoing churchwide ministry that seeks to meet the physical and spiritual needs of hurting people in our city through quarterly workdays. This was followed in 2008 by the state-of-the-art Christian Mobile Dental Clinic that meets the pressing need for dental care throughout Memphis.
In the fall of 2013, Bro. Steve unveiled a bold vision for Bellevue Baptist Church—to be a catalyst for spiritual awakening in Memphis and beyond.
After Steve Gaines announced his retirement in 2024, a search committee was established to prayerfully find God’s chosen man to lead the church into the future. Members officially voted to extend the call for Ben Mandrell to be the new Senior Pastor of Bellevue on July 13, 2025.
A Legacy of Leadership
Four Bellevue pastors have served as President of the Southern Baptist Convention, guiding millions through pivotal moments of faith and leadership.
Dr. Robert G. Lee
SBC President:
1948-1949
1949-1950
1950-1951
Dr. Ramsey Pollard
SBC President:
1960-1961
Dr. Adrian Rogers
SBC President:
1979–1980
1986–1987
1987–1988
Dr. Steve Gaines
SBC President:
2016-2017
2017-2018