Starkey Road Baptist Church has a deep history that dates back to its roots in Gulfport, Florida. A small church was started in 1939, which grew into Calvary Baptist Church of Gulfport. The church was pastored by Dr. Eric A. Folsom from 1957 to 1983. In 1974, the church called Dr. Folsom’s son-in-law, Jerry Lancaster, to be the church’s youth pastor.

In 1983, the church relocated from its Gulfport location to its current site on Starkey Road in mid-Pinellas County. The church changed its name from Calvary Baptist Church to Starkey Road Baptist Church to reflect its new location. Jerry Lancaster became the Senior Pastor at the time of the relocation. The first services were held in the small chapel building. Over the years, the property has grown from the original five acres and has become a fifteen acre facility. Our congregation now meets in our current auditorium which opened in 1999.

In June 2019, the church celebrated Pastor Lancaster’s 45 years of ministry and his retirement from active ministry at Starkey Road Baptist Church. In his place, the congregation confirmed Derek Parker as our current Lead Pastor. Pastor Derek initially came to SRBC as our Family and Small Group pastor in 2015. Derek and his wife Stephanie have a desire to make much of Jesus Christ and to help others find, follow, and share the Gospel in our church and in our community.