experience life at west bradenton

The Beginning

January 10, 1954, after sensing a need to plant a new church in the West Bradenton area, First Baptist Church of Bradenton, Florida, commissioned 66 visionaries to meet for the first worship service at Jessie P. Miller School.  In 1956, the "West Bradenton Baptist Chapel" relocated to her existing location.  March 3, 1957, West Bradenton Baptist Church was organized with a charter membership of 276 people.

Expanding Ministry

The ministry of West Bradenton Baptist Church has been led by a group of caring and gifted pastors, who have shaped our church to be characterized by Biblical preaching, personal evangelism, and caring relationships.  West Bradenton Baptist Church has launched two other vibrant churches in Manatee County (The Bridge at Palma Sola - 1977; Woodland - the Community Church - 1983).

Former Pastors include:
  • Rev. Ted M. Jones (1954-1956)
  • Rev. John C. Howell (1956-1957)
  • Rev. William L. Self (1957-1964)
  • Rev. T. E. Robinett (1964-1968)
  • Dr. David H. Hause (1969-1977)
  • Rev. Robert A. Allen, Jr. (1978-2007)

Rev. Robert A. Allen, Jr. (Bro. Bob), launched many exciting ministries and experienced God's hand upon his ministry as our Pastor.  Under his leadership, the church launched a Television ministry in 1980, a ministry to those who are deaf, and a strategic ministry to senior adults.  Also the church began to move beyond Bradenton and mobilized short term mission trips to places like Korea, Guatemala, Haiti, Ukraine, and more.  Bro. Bob and Mrs. Patty also established a camp ministry to children and youth alike that impacted hundreds with the gospel throughout the years.  Bro. Bob, after nearly 30 years of faithful service, announced his retirement sensing the Lord preparing to provide a new pastor for West Bradenton Baptist Church.

What Next?

Upon Bro. Bob's retirement, the church commissioned a Pastor Search Committee with the task of prayerfully and carefully finding God's person to pastor our church for this particular time in history.  After months of prayer and discovery, in May 2008, the Pastor Search Committee recommended the church call Rev. Allen R. James as Pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church.

Pastor Allen began his ministry on Sunday, June 8, 2008.  Allen is married to Nova and they have one daughter, Abbie (born in 1996).  His ministry is characterized by a commitment to teach God's Word and inspire generations to pursue Christ.