Välkommen! (Welcome!)
We’d love to welcome you to West Side Baptist Church!
Whether you’re new to church or looking for a fresh start, we want your first visit to be stress-free and meaningful. Learn what to expect, explore our ministries, and get all the details—from service times to parking and children’s programs.
Let us know you’re coming so we can greet you with a smile!
LOOKING FOR A CHURCH HOME? YOU’VE FOUND THE RIGHT PLACE!
We’re the Church that LOVES People! About 120 active young adults, blended families, multi-cultural households, children and seniors call West Side Baptist their “church home.” Jesus is building His church – here in Topeka – with fully devoted followers who show love in practical, hands-on ways. We invite you to be our guest! See what God is doing in, through, with, and for us! We would love for you to join us!
NEW TO CHURCH?
Don’t Worry! We’re FRIENDLY and
it’s EASY TO MAKE FRIENDS HERE.
We’re kid-friendly and family-focused!
“Church” is a simple word that means “assembly or gathering.” We are a gathering of Jesus followers who love God and love people – no matter your background, where you’re from, where you live, or what you believe; YOU CAN BELONG HERE. We look forward to meeting you!
WHERE IS THE CHURCH LOCATED? We’re on the corner of 4th and Fillmore Streets in the Ward-Meade neighborhood of Topeka, Kansas. West Side Baptist Church is a Christian church meeting at 1008 SW 4th St, Topeka, Kansas 66606 (Google Maps). We’ve been serving the Ward-Meade Neighborhood in the central north neighborhood of the Capital City for over 100 years. The address is 1008 SW 4th St., Topeka, Kansas 66606. We’re at the corner of 4th Street and Fillmore Avenue.
SERVICE TIME at 10:30 AM
What TIME are Your WORSHIP Services?
SUNDAYS at 10:30 AM
Bible Classes & Sunday School start at 9 AM
Worship starts each Sunday at 10:30 am in the Sanctuary (auditorium). We livestream our 10:30 a.m. service on YouTube.
BEFORE YOU GET HERE:
Helpful Tips!
If going to church isn’t a weekly routine for you or your family, we get it—it can feel a little intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be! At West Side, you’ll find a warm welcome, no pressure, and a place where you can simply show up, breathe, and belong. Come as you are—we’re just glad you’re here.
DO I HAVE TO BE A “CHRISTIAN” TO ATTEND? NO! Church gatherings are for everyone. Some churches focus on teaching Christians and assume you’ll catch the vibe eventually, while others are more deliberate about making church accessible for new people (assuming Christians become better Christians by loving other people). We focus on people asking questions and understanding what they believe. You should definitely come. And ask questions if you don’t understand stuff. And ask more questions. We are loving and friendly – and we want to be friends.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? How should I dress? WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHES! We want you to be YOU, so wear clothes that are comfortable for you – casual, business attire, western, or professional. We’re more interested in who you are and who Jesus wants you to be than what you wear. That being said, please wear clothes!
WHEN SHOULD I GET THERE? Probably better if you arrive 10-15 minutes early to give yourself a chance to meet people, find the restrooms, visit the nursery, get a cup of coffee, and greet the pastor. Yes, Pastor likes to greet people before the service. We don’t embarrass people – so relax! You will not be asked to stand, share your name, or have your name read aloud. A musical prelude begins two to three minutes before the service for people to prepare themselves and become mindful of worship.
IS THERE TRANSPORTATION TO/FROM WORSHIP? Yes! A volunteer drives the Church van on Sunday morning and Wednesday evenings. Call the Church Office BEFORE Friday at Noon to schedule a ride or email our Connection Team.
WHERE SHOULD I PARK? There is plenty of parking off FOURTH and CLAY Streets. Handicapped and Families with Children parking is close to the door on the NORTH side of the church. You can also park on the street along Fillmore, 4th., and Clay.
WHERE DO I ENTER? Any Door – but most people enter the North Door. You can also enter the Church from the front staircase off Fillmore Street. A greeter should welcome you inside the door. Feel free to share that you’re visiting and need directions.
IS THERE A PRINTED ORDER OF SERVICE? Yes! Grab a Bulletin (printed order of service) off the podium inside the sanctuary or download the service bulletin from our website: https://wsbctopeka.org/worship/bulletins-2/
WHERE ARE THE RESTROOMS? Restrooms (including a handicapped family restroom) are on the first-floor hallway. Signs are hanging from the ceiling. There is a diaper changing station on the first floor in the Family / Handicapped restroom.
CAN I BRING MY PHONE? Yes! Phones are welcome – you may use them during worship. We ask that you silence the noise and refrain from checking email and social media during the service.
DO I NEED TO BRING A BIBLE? No, but it’s helpful. Bring your Bible if you have one – don’t worry if you do not own one. We have Bibles in the pews and available for free. We use the New International Version (NIV) but any translation is welcome.
BEFORE THE SERVICE
We LOVE Food and We LOVE to Eat Together! Start your morning by grabbing a donut, fruit, and homemade goods – and some coffee in Holmer Hall (first-floor parlor) before the service.
When you’re ready, head into the sanctuary and find a seat—don’t be shy about saying hello to someone nearby! At West Side, we love meeting new friends and making everyone feel at home. We’re a joyful church that’s very casual — we believe faith should be full of love, laughter, and real life together.
WHERE DO MY KIDS GO? Jesus loves Kids…and so do we! Kids come to the Sanctuary (auditorium) first. We think it is important to worship together as a family before kids head to a class to learn at their level.
- NURSERY – Trained child-care workers lovingly provide nursery care for newborns through age 3. All of our volunteers are screened with a background check – keeping kids safe is the #1 priority!
- YOUNGER CHILDREN (Preschool thru 3rd Grade) – Younger children (Preschool thru 3rd Grade) go to the Children’s Sermon and then to Children’s Church (except the first Sunday).
- OLDER CHILDREN (4th – 5th Grade) and YOUTH – Stay in Worship with their family and friends. We have Activity Bags for each child full of coloring pages, crayons, pencils, puzzles, games, etc.
THE WORSHIP SERVICE
What’s going to happen in the ‘service’?
The service opens with an inspiring welcome and invitation to heartfelt worship led by our Pastor. We worship in a BLENDED STYLE – ancient and modern! The music is a mixture of familiar hymns, gospel songs, and a few contemporary Christian songs led by Worship Leaders, our gifted Piano Accompanist, and a Praise Team.
We aim to make worship focused on God
– that is, inspiring and uplifting!
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A TYPICAL SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE? We worship in a BLENDED STYLE – ancient and modern! The music is a mixture of familiar hymns, gospel songs, and contemporary Christian music led by Song Leaders, our gifted Piano Accompanist, and a Praise Team. The song lyrics and words will appear on the big screen, so you don’t worry about juggling books. There are times of quiet reflection, private and group prayer, scripture readings (always a Gospel), testimonies, singing, special music, and more. Sometimes there might be some other things going on — baptisms and Holy Communion — we will explain as they happen, but they’re not every week.
DO I HAVE TO SHARE MY CONTACT INFORMATION? No! We invite our members and guests to complete a CONNECTION CARD in worship or online to let us know they were in worship, to share prayer requests, or to connect with a church leader or pastor. You can always email the Pastor or call him at (785) 233-4241.
HOW LONG IS THE SERVICE? Typically 55 minutes or less, but some Sundays go longer with baptisms, communion, and special music.
IS THERE A BIBLE BASED MESSAGES?
YES!
Our Pastor or a guest speaker will give a sermon or message, normally twenty (20) minutes in length. The sermons are focused on a Bible passage. The Pastor focuses primarily on exegetical (explanation) of the scripture text, its main point or message, and its relevance – how it gives us practical life skills – for today.
WHEN IS HOLY COMMUNION CELEBRATED? We celebrate Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month – and on special holy days like Christmas and Easter. The Table of the Lord (Holy Communion or The Last Supper) is open to any baptized Christian regardless of faith, affiliation, denomination, or decree.
AFTER THE SERVICE
Don’t be in a hurry to rush out of the Church – instead, shake people’s hands, introduce yourself, and make new friends!
Lots of families and friends go to lunch together. YOU ARE INVITED to be our GUEST!
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER THE SERVICE? Did you like it? TELL SOMEONE. Did you hate it? TELL US THAT TOO – we want feedback. Complete a Worship Survey Feedback Form or Email the Pastor. It would be nice for your friend to know what you thought, they’ll be wondering, and churches like to hear about how you experienced worship.
BE CURIOUS – GOT QUESTIONS? Ask them! If something doesn’t make sense or rubs you the wrong way, don’t be afraid to speak up. Maybe we didn’t explain it well, maybe we used churchy words without realizing it, or maybe we’re just a little quirky. Either way, we welcome honest questions and open conversations. Think of your visit like a traveler exploring a new place—look around, ask questions, and discover what following Jesus looks like here.
GET TO KNOW US – Church isn’t just a Sunday event—it’s a community of people doing life together. If you enjoyed the worship service, felt welcomed by the people, or you’re curious about Jesus (even just one of those is a great place to start!), your next step might be learning more about how to get connected.
JOIN A GROUP – Make New Connections: West Side Baptist Church offers small groups (sometimes called home groups, Bible studies, or life groups) as a safe place to grow in your faith, build friendships, ask questions, and share life together. It can feel a bit intimidating at first, but you’re always invited to join when you feel ready. These groups are where the heart of church really comes to life.
VISIT AGAIN! Visiting a church is a bit like a first coffee date—it’s a chance to see how things feel, without pressure. If you fill out a guest card or share your contact info, someone might follow up with a friendly message or invite. Don’t worry—there’s no hard sell. If you’re not interested, just let us know. If you are, great! Come back next week, join us for coffee, or ask to meet someone who can help you take the next step at your own pace. We’re here when you’re ready.
Take the Next Step in Your Faith Journey
Whether you’re new to the Christian faith or looking to grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus, we invite you to take the next step through our New Believers Education Classes.
These classes are designed to help you:
- Learn about Jesus and Why We Follow Him
- Understand the foundations of the Christian faith
- Explore the Bible with confidence
- Learn how to live as a follower of Jesus
- Discover your spiritual gifts and calling
- Connect with others on the same journey
Each class is offered seasonally — in the Fall, Winter, and Spring — and builds on the last, guiding you step by step into a vibrant, Christ-centered life. 👉 Check out the class schedule and sign up today!
(Or contact us to learn more about which class is right for you.)
We can’t wait to walk alongside you as you grow in faith, hope, and love.
Updated: 12 May 2025
