The History of

Rittenhouse Baptist Church

The early days of the 1950’s saw an expansion of the city of Houston. People were moving to the newly formed suburbs.  As the city limits and population expanded so did the need for churches to help meet the spiritual needs of the growing city.

Baptist Temple Baptist Church located in the Heights, decided to help meet this growing need by starting a mission on what would soon become known as the "near north side."  In the summer of August 1951 the Rittenhouse Baptist Chapel began in a small building located on Shepherd Drive with Dick Klepper serving as the missionary pastor.  The church quickly grew to 57 and in 1952 six acres of land was purchased at 513 W. Rittenhouse Road.  On September 27, 1953 at 3:30 p.m.  Rittenhouse Baptist Church was formally constituted with 170 charter members.  As best can be determined, as of November 2006 Harlan Yetter and Barbara Sharp are on the only charter members currently worshiping at RBC.

In 1957 the church expanded its facilities by adding additional classroom and nursery space behind what was once the original sanctuary.  On May 22, 1959 Rittenhouse Baptist Church purchased an additional nine and three-quarters acres, making it at the time the second largest church, land wise, in the city of Houston. 

As Rittenhouse Baptist Church acquired land it also acquired a vision to establish daughter churches in the city of Houston.  On June 1, 1959 Rittenhouse Baptist Church established the Mangum Oaks Baptist Church.  On September 27, 1959 they established the Mangum Road Baptist Church and on September 29, 1962 they began the Gulfgate Baptist Church.

In September of 1970 the church sold off the nine and three-quarter acres previously purchased in order to build a new 400 seat sanctuary.  The current sanctuary was dedicated on November 14, 1971. 

In the last 50 years the "near north side" has seen a lot of change.  Churches that once graced the community are no longer in existence.  One thing that remains constant is that people, regardless of color or culture, need to hear about the saving love of Jesus Christ.  Rittenhouse Baptist Church is committed to the north side and it is committed to sharing the love of Jesus Christ to everyone in our community regardless of race or culture.  We invite you to come and see.  We invite you to come and help reach a community that needs the love of Jesus Christ.