About Us

How did Overland Baptist Church get its name?
Overland Baptist Church has a St. Louis address; but our church is actually located in the city of Overland, Missouri, one of more than ninety small suburban St. Louis County municipalities surrounding the city of St. Louis. Overland was originally called “Overland Park” because it was a popular “park” or overnight stopping point for pioneers traveling west on the Overland Trail.  The name was shortened in 1919 to avoid post office confusion with the city of Overland Park, Kansas.  Overland is located approximately sixteen miles from the St. Louis riverfront, roughly a one-day journey from St. Louis by Conestoga wagon on the Overland Trail. 

How is Overland Baptist Church different from other Baptist churches?
As Baptists we have a lot more in common with former President Jimmy Carter than we do with Jerry Falwell. 

Women are not second class Christians in our church.  They serve equally with the men.

We believe in the separation of church and state.  We don’t get involved in politics, participate in religious boycotts or pass out “voter guides.”

We think Christians under the guidance of the Holy Spirit can interpret the Bible for themselves.  We practice good scholarship and when there is more than one way of interpreting a Bible passage we’ll present all of the various views and let people make up their own minds.

We are not threatened by honest inquiry.  We encourage people to ask questions because it helps them grow spiritually.

Everyone is welcome in our church.  You don’t have to “clean up your act” before coming here.

What We Believe
Overland Baptist Church does not have a religious creed that people are required to embrace as a condition for membership.  However, we have adopted The New Hampshire Confession of Faith as a statement of doctrinal beliefs generally representative of those held by most members in our church.  The Bible is our sole authority for all matters of faith and practice and the criterion by which we interpret the Bible is Jesus Christ, whose will is revealed in Holy Scripture.

Our Church Staff
Pastor: David W. Johnson 
Music Minister:  Charlie Lee 
Organist: Kathy Lee
Pianists:  Sherree Hutcherson and Mary Galambos
Financial Secretary:  Frada Anderson 
Maintenance:  Bob Knarr
Housekeeping: Betty Speicher