Our Story

A Brief History and Ministry Overview of Parkway Baptist

Parkway Baptist, established in 1975, traces its roots back to Park City Baptist Church, a missional project initiated by Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN. This mission began in a military Quonset hut on Park City Road in Fort Oglethorpe, GA, and grew steadily in membership and spiritual development. The church organized as an Independent Baptist Church on July 31, 1949, with Reverend Paul Norris as its first pastor and Archie Johnson as the first choir director (see photo below to the left). The deacons elected were Jim James, J.B. Cannon, J.C. Holsomback, Otis Brown, Wade Hampton, J.C. Payne, W.I. Lee, and Warren Krayiskey.

The congregation, under the leadership of these men, embarked on an ambitious journey of faith. In 1964, the church acquired property in Fort Oglethorpe, and on February 12, 1975, the congregation voted to construct a new church building. The new structure was dedicated on September 14, 1975, and later that year, the church adopted the name Parkway Baptist Temple. In 2014, under the leadership of Dr. David Sampson, the church simplified its name to Parkway Baptist. Since its inception, Parkway Baptist has been led by nine pastors, with Dr. Sampson serving as Senior Pastor since 2003.

The city of Fort Oglethorpe, home to Parkway Baptist, began to develop after World War II when the U.S. Army decommissioned its base there. Incorporated as a city in 1949, Fort Oglethorpe prioritized infrastructure development, including schools, churches, and economic opportunities, supported by strategic road connections that facilitated growth. Catoosa County gained additional recognition when Walt Disney’s movie The Great Locomotive Chase, which features events in the area, premiered. Parkway Baptist was founded to seize the expanding opportunities for spreading the gospel within this growing community.

On March 9, 1966, the church held a pivotal vote to approve the construction of a new building. Utilizing a secret ballot, 115 members cast their votes, with 87 in favor and 28 opposed. This decision marked the beginning of a significant phase in the church's growth. On August 20, 1969, the church elected Rev. James Tate as its fourth pastor. By 1970, the church had acquired a split-level house adjacent to the new property, which, as seen in the background of the newspaper article below, was designated as the church parsonage.

A pivotal change took shape when on March 20, 1977, Rev. Glenn Boatner was called as the church's sixth pastor. Pastor Boatner's ministry over the next 18 years set the church on a path to growth and development. In the years moving forward, the church began to grow substantially, particularly in its Sunday school program. The increasing attendance highlighted the need for additional space, leading to the dedication of a new Sunday school building in April 1985, coinciding with Pastor Glenn Boatner’s eighth anniversary as senior pastor. By April 17, 1987, the Sunday school ministry had achieved an enrollment of 350 members attending weekly. The church’s rapid growth continued into the 1990s, prompting plans for a new sanctuary. Although initially budgeted at $800,000, the final construction costs reached $1 million, reflecting the congregation’s commitment to supporting the needs of their expanding membership. These developments illustrate the church’s steady progression and dedication to fostering its ministry.

Dr. David Sampson has served as the pastor of Parkway Baptist for an impressive 22 years, a tenure exceeding that of all his predecessors combined. His leadership has been marked by a commitment to both the physical and spiritual growth of the church. Under his guidance, a new children’s building was constructed and formally dedicated on April 7, 2012, providing a significant enhancement to the church’s facilities. Dr. Sampson’s vision extended beyond infrastructure to innovative ministry programs. In collaboration with the deacons and children's director, Robin Flanagan, he proposed the establishment of a Mom’s Day Out (MDO) program designed to utilize the new children’s building. This vision came to fruition on August 26, 2013, with the launch of the MDO program, aptly named Lively Stones. The initiative focused on early childhood development while creating opportunities to engage and connect with families in the surrounding community. In addition to advancing ministry initiatives, Dr. Sampson has led significant improvements to Parkway Baptist’s sound and media department, ensuring the church stays at the forefront of technological innovation. He has also spearheaded the development of a robust online presence, allowing the church to reach a broader audience and enhance its outreach. Furthermore, under his leadership, the church property has undergone multiple upgrades, creating a more welcoming and functional environment for worship, fellowship, and ministry activities. These include remodeling the existing facilities and introducing a coffee house to foster fellowship among members. His leadership has been instrumental in transforming Parkway Baptist into a vibrant, intergenerational community of faith, reflecting his dedication to cultivating both personal connections and spiritual growth among all generations.

Missions play a central role in the church’s identity, exemplified by a church plant in Los Montones, Dominican Republic. Dr. Sampson spearheaded Parkway Baptist's first overseas mission trip and mission church plant, resulting in the establishment of a church in Los Montones, Dominican Republic. This significant endeavor reflected his deep commitment to spreading the gospel beyond local boundaries and leading hundreds of individuals on short-term missions trips. His passion for missions has profoundly influenced Parkway Baptist, inspiring the church to embody the principles of Acts 1:8—"ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Under his leadership, missions have become a cornerstone of the church’s identity, uniting members in their shared purpose of advancing God’s kingdom both locally and globally. Parkway Baptist continues to support this community and other local and global areas through discipleship and humanitarian outreach.

Parkway Baptist embraces a traditional Baptist paradigm, placing a strong emphasis on expository preaching, discipleship, and biblical worship. Its ministry programs serve all age groups, offering nursery care, student ministries, and fellowship opportunities for young adults and seniors. Over the years, Parkway Baptist has embraced innovative ministry and outreach ideas while remaining grounded in conservative and traditional Baptist principles. The pastoral staff, teachers, and leaders of Parkway Baptist affirm that the Bible is the full and final revelation of the Living God to humanity. This conviction undergirds all ministries, which are deeply committed to studying and teaching the Scriptures. In 2011, Dr. Sampson introduced the church’s motto, “Changing Lives, ONE Verse at a Time,” to highlight this focus. Consequently, most of the church’s preaching and teaching centers on expository preaching rather than topical presentations.

With the Lord’s continued blessings and guidance, Parkway Baptist remains steadfast in its mission to glorify God and reach others for Christ. The church looks to the future with faith-filled anticipation, trusting that its most impactful years of ministry and service are yet to come. Through prayer, dedication, and unity, Parkway Baptist is poised to continue advancing the Kingdom of God in ever greater ways.