Crofton Baptist Church was organized in 1850 at the log home of Bro. Matthew Armstrong under the name of Liberty Baptist. In 1884 there was a division; the church was divided into West Liberty Baptist Church (West Grove) and North Liberty Baptist Church (Crofton). It was not until 1889 that the church changed its name to Crofton Baptist Church.
In 1885 the Baptists in Crofton were strong enough to build their building and move out of the Union Church House and the Crofton Academy. Bro. John Walton organized the first Sunday School in 1898, with services occurring once a month with Pastor Alex McCord.
The church started a mission in Empire, Kentucky, in 1905. Five years later a new building in Crofton was erected that served the church until 1951. In 1924 a piano was added to accompany the reed organ for worship.
The church organized a Baptist Young People’s Union (Training Union) and moved to half-time services in 1925. WMU was formed a year earlier with Mrs. Lillie Clark as its first president.
The church continued in its growth and with revivals as an integral part of the strategy, with baptisms occurring at Crofton Mill Pond, Dripping Springs Creek, and Railroad Lake. During the first 100 years, only two men were called to preach from the congregation, E L Pendley and Benjamin Lawther.
In 1949 the church called Porter Cole as pastor, and under his leadership, the church went to full-time services, 2-week VBS, and a 10-day revival each year.
The church would build an educational wing and fellowship hall during his five years as pastor. 1954 brought about the remodeling of the auditorium and the purchase of the first parsonage. The following year the Brotherhood would be started along with RA’s/
In 1963, a heating and cooling system was added to the building, with the following year extending an invitation for Bro. Don Mathis to serve his first pastorate. Bro. Don would serve for two years, preach five revivals, and serve a 1-year interim pastorate (2022) at CBC. Bro. Truman Luther was called to serve in 1971, and during his pastorate, a new auditorium was built in 1974.
Bro. Rick Haley was to follow. During his tenure, a family life center was constructed and dedicated in his memory when he passed Feb. 1st, 2022.
In 2023, the church called its 35th Pastor, Jim Gifford.
Under the leadership of the pastors, deacons, lay leaders, and members of Crofton Baptist from 1980 to the present there has been 512 baptisms. The church has also given $475,000 for mission causes in that same time frame. To God be the Glory!
