Tucked into the Bainbridge Boulevard corridor of Chesapeake's South Norfolk neighborhood, Southside Baptist Church describes itself in a single phrase: a small and friendly church home. Its tagline, "In the heart of South Norfolk," reflects both its physical setting and its approach to ministry. From a single address at 1200 Bainbridge Boulevard, the congregation gathers for Sunday worship, midweek Bible study, monthly Scripture memorization, seasonal outreach, and the kind of shared meals and memorial services that mark long-standing neighborhood churches.
Sunday Mornings: Sunday School and Worship
The Sunday rhythm at Southside Baptist begins at 9:45 a.m. with Sunday School, followed by a worship service at 11 a.m. The congregation gathers for hymns, prayer, Scripture reading, and a sermon, with bulletins prepared each week. Visitors are welcomed with a "Welcome Visitor" slip found in the pew holders; completed slips are placed in the offering plate. The instruction on those slips is simple: thank you for coming, and please come again.
Bulletins are a regular part of the church's life and are published almost every week. Recent bulletins (available to download) cover services from spring through summer, reflecting a steady, ongoing schedule rather than seasonal gaps. Each bulletin provides the order of worship and announcements for that Sunday.
Wednesday Evenings Begin with Prayer
On Wednesday nights, the church hosts a Prayer and Bible Study from 6 to 7 p.m. The hour opens with intercessory prayer, and the church invites everyone to attend. The meeting place is the same Bainbridge Boulevard address where Sunday services are held. Members and visitors alike are encouraged to come and grow closer to God during this midweek gathering.
A Monthly Memory Verse Tradition
One distinctive practice at Southside Baptist is the Monthly Memory Verse. At the start of each month, a single passage of Scripture is posted for the congregation to learn together. The verses rotate through well-known passages: Psalm 118:24 ("This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it"), Romans 12:12 ("Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer"), 1 Corinthians 13:4, Luke 24:6-7 (the resurrection announcement), John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Luke 2:11 (the Christmas verse), Psalm 100:4, Psalm 51:10, Exodus 20:12, James 1:2-3, and Mark 11:24, among others. The verses come from a range of translations, including NIV, ESV, NASB, and KJV.
Thanksgiving Baskets and School Supplies
Southside Baptist keeps a steady eye on the practical needs of its community. Each November, the congregation collects nonperishable food items for Thanksgiving baskets delivered to families in need. Members are invited to pick up an acorn from the church and fill it with items such as gravy, canned milk, instant potatoes, dressing, cake mix, and icing.
The church also organizes a school supplies drive. Donations are distributed to nearby schools and partner organizations, including Rena B. Wright, Truitt, and Carver elementary schools, as well as the ForKids Organization, a regional nonprofit serving children and families experiencing homelessness. The church publicly thanks contributors after each drive, calling it one of several mission projects happening at the same time.
A Family Fun Day has also been part of the church's outreach calendar, drawing church members and families together for a shared afternoon of fellowship.
Friendship Banquet and Christmas Gatherings
Twice a year, the church's hospitality comes into focus. After a Sunday morning worship service, the congregation gathers in what members refer to as the "1200 building" for a Friendship Banquet. Guests are invited to bring a favorite dish, share a meal, and enjoy good food together.
In December, the church hosts two long-standing events. A Churchwide Christmas Social, held on a Saturday afternoon, includes finger foods, festive fellowship, and time together across generations. On Christmas Eve, a Candlelight Service at 5 p.m. closes out the year with a traditional observance marking the birth of Christ.
A Church That Grieves Together
Southside Baptist keeps a public prayer list for members and families who have lost loved ones. Over recent years, the congregation has mourned longtime members including Marion Dailey Delar, described as a "remarkable Woman of God"; Nora Nelms, who served as the church secretary for many years; Helen Ketchem; Patricia Provo, mother of the Romero family; Earline Bowden; and Linwood Nelms Jr., a devoted church member and deacon. Memorial services and visitations have been hosted at the church, with funerals coordinated through Graham Funeral Home in Chesapeake and Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Norfolk.
This practice of noting and praying for those who have died is part of how the church stays close across generations, and the prayer page remains an ongoing record of care for the Southside family.
Practical Details for Visitors
Southside Baptist Church is located at 1200 Bainbridge Boulevard, Chesapeake, Virginia 23324. The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and closed on Saturday. Visitors who want more information can call (757) 545-5532 during office hours or reach out through the contact form on the church's page.
The church maintains an active presence on Facebook under the name Southside Baptist Church (facebook.com/southside23324), where bulletins and announcements are shared alongside the regular monthly memory verse. Sundays feature Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m., and Wednesday evenings feature Prayer and Bible Study from 6 to 7 p.m. All who visit are invited to fill out a Welcome Visitor slip from the pew holder and drop it in the offering plate.
Across its bulletins, memory verses, mission projects, and shared meals, Southside Baptist presents itself the same way its members describe it: a small, friendly church home where everyone is welcome.