Welcome to the Sanctuary of the Beatitudes, inspired by the blessings of Jesus in the

Sermon on the Mount. Our ministry focus is on a loving God emphasizing acceptance

and grace rather than conformity and judgment.  ALL are welcome without exception.

Sunday worship is an uplifting and friendly gathering.  Sermons by Pastor Steve

Mechem are relevant, challenging, and encouraging.  Our amazing choir enriches

worship by sharing an array of inspirational music from traditional to classical to

contemporary.  The unique mid-century Sanctuary of the Beatitudes with superior

acoustics is a space to reflect, connect and enjoy the presence of God.

Sunday School classes focus on adult Bible study, living our faith, and children and

youth education.  Individuals are encouraged to question and explore, to study and

interpret scripture as their journey guides them.

Our theology is progressive in thought and action, and is affiliated with American

Baptists USA, a “different kind of Baptist”.  This includes the leadership and ordination

of women and welcoming all people without regard to ethnicity, gender identity, sexual

orientation or any other status that might be a perceived barrier to acceptance.

Our community is a friendly and safe place, with special outreach for those who have

recently experienced grief, disappointment or hurt by other religious experiences, for

LGBTQ+ individuals and their families and friends, and for immigrants from

Burma/Myanmar who speak the Karen language.

Through hands-on projects and monetary gifts, we support the missions of worthy

organizations both local and world-wide.  Learn more about our ongoing social

justice and outreach ministries in other pages of this website.

Sharing our facilities with community groups is another form of ministry.  Our church

is the headquarters of the Community Gospel Choir and a meeting place for Al-Anon

Family Group and others.

Join us as we discover grace and faith together at the Sanctuary of the Beatitudes,

Second Baptist Church, located at the crossroads of Richmond Heights, Clayton and

Ladue in Greater St. Louis.

Did you know that there are dozens of denominations that call themselves "Baptist"?  During the Civil War era Baptists split into Southern Baptists and Northern Baptists.  In 1950, the Northern Baptists became the American Baptist Convention, and in 1972 American Baptist Churches USA.  While most prevalent in northern states, there are 5,000 congregations with 1.3 million members across the US.

Among the American Baptist beliefs cherished at Second Baptist are:

• The right of individuals to discover their own path of faith,
• Each person can be in a relationship with God,
• The freedom to interpret scripture for oneself,
• Separation of Church and State,
• Local church autonomy,
• Believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper (Communion).

Throughout history American Baptists have been active in promoting holistic and healing change in society.  The tradition of social outreach and ministry extends back to the enfranchisement and education of formerly enslaved people following the Civil War, through frontline advocacy of the Civil Rights Movement, the empowerment of women in church (including ordination) and society, ecological responsibility, and important contemporary issues of justice.  Because of the longstanding commitment to reach out and fellowship with all persons, American Baptist Churches USA today is the most racially inclusive body within Protestantism.