The Reverend Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, who was called to lead this congregation in 1985.  Dr. Walton was born in Richmond, Virginia. He is a product of the Richmond Public Schools System, graduating from Maggie L. Walker High School in 1969.  Dr. Walton received his B.S. degree in Geology from Virginia State University, and he is an honor graduate with a M. Div. from the School of Theology of Virginia Union University. Dr. Walton has done post-graduate studies at the University of Washington, the University of Houston and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education. He also has the distinction and pleasure of being one of first seven to receive an earned Doctor of Ministry degree from the School of Theology of Virginia Union University.  He was licensed to the Gospel Ministry in December 1977 and ordained in April 1980 by the First Baptist Church of South Richmond.

Dr. Walton served as the Minister of Education at First Baptist Church of South Richmond for three years before becoming the first full-time pastor of the St. Peter Baptist Church in Glen Allen, Virginia in 1985.  

Dr. Walton is a former Petroleum Geologist for the Gulf Oil Corporation and a former Ground Water Geologist for the State Water Control Board of Virginia. He has served as an adjunct faculty member in the Evans-Smith Institute at the School of Theology and is currently serving as an adjunct faculty member of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology.  He has also served as a workshop leader across the state of Virginia.  Dr. Walton has served several consecutive terms as the chairperson for the Commission of Christian Education for the Baptist General Convention of Virginia.  While in this position, he has also functioned as a contributing writer in the Convention's "Stewards of the Gift of Our Heritage" series and served as the assistant dean of the State Congress of Christian Education.

He is married to the former Brenda Bowman of Richmond, Virginia, who retired from the Richmond Public Schools System as Principal of the Binford Middle School.

Not unlike their predecessors, the late Reverend S. H. Thompson and our First Lady Emeritus, Deaconess Julia Thompson, Pastor and Deaconess Walton bring a concept of teamwork to the St. Peter Baptist Church.  Both pastor and first lady work closely with the ministries of the church. Deaconess Walton stands at the forefront of service as Chairperson of the Women's Ministry, which leads a year-long schedule of ministry events and learning opportunities.

During his time of service at St. Peter, Dr. Walton has led the efforts of mentoring others ?Called' to the service of the Lord. Over the years, the church has been blessed by the gifts, efforts and opportunities afforded to the Ministerial Associates in the persons of Reverend Dr. Elaine Crawford, Reverend Dr. Nancy L. Long, Reverend John Mitchell, Reverend Charles Brown, Reverend Roy Carter, Sr., Reverend Jerald Cuff, Reverend Dr. James G. Daniely, Reverend Dr. Walter Smith, Reverend Shirley M. Stanley, Reverend Michelle E. Hatcher, Reverend William H. Lee, III, and Reverend Dr. Ray McKenzie. Three of the sons of the church, Reverend Dr. Walter Smith, Reverend Dr. Ray McKenzie and Reverend Dr. James Coleman hold pastorates.  In 2001, two of the daughters of the church, Reverend C. Diane Mosby and Reverend Shirley M. Jordan were the first women licensed and ordained by the church. In 2006, three daughters and a son were licensed:  Reverend Sharon E. Taylor, Reverend Vanessa B. Carter, Reverend Angela T. P. Snead and Reverend William C. Archer.

Dr. Walton also increased the staffing of the church with part-time Directors of Christian Education: Mr. Mark Davis, Reverend James Daniely and Reverend Roy Carter, Sr.  In 1999, this position became full time with the hiring of Reverend Michelle E. Hatcher.  Later Reverend Sharon Curtis was added as Director of the Child Development Center.  In 2005, Reverend C. Diane Mosby was hired as the first Church Administrator.  This position later gave way to the church's first Executive Minister, held by Reverend Mosby.  In 2007, Mrs. Mary Ann Johnson was hired to the position of Financial Operations Administrator, Mrs. Mary Ann Coleman, to the position of Operational Administrative Clerk and Mrs. Bernice Branch, to the position of Culinary Procurement Coordinator.

He has led the efforts of development of the Growth and Expansion Ministry, which has since its conception erected an Educational/Offices Wing, Child Development Center and a new Sanctuary that quadruples the capacity of the previous sanctuary.

Under the guidance and vision of God, Dr. Walton has restructured the Diaconate Ministry and created the following ministries to bring the total of active ministries to forty-five.

Couples'                               Single's                    Women's                        Greeters
Transitional                           Summer Youth        Christian Arts                   Yokefellows
Youth Bible Study                  Youth-In-Action       Cultural Arts                     Library/Media
Stewardship Education          Health Care             Computer Education         Audio/Sound
Historical Research                Church Newsletter   Praise Dance  
Church School Substitute Teachers                                               Junior Church Emphasis
Extended (Transportation)    Church Workers Appreciation            New Members Orientation

Dr. Walton's ministry planning has also brought the church together in the areas of working and witnessing through the inclusion of:

Ushers Coordinator              Financial Secretary                            Church Office Administrator
Youth Revival                       Combined Ushers' Anniversary           Men's Fellowship Fish Fry
African-American Highlights   Financial Operations Administrator      Operational Administrative Clerk 
Culinary Procurement Coordinator

Expansion of the Music Ministry
8:00 A.M. Volunteer Choir Church Music Training Ministry  Instrumental Ensemble

Dr. Walton is a full-time, in-house pastor. He has daily office hours and agendas that continue to develop and inform the church family and community of the greatness of the Lord. It is evident in that our current membership is well over 1000.  He and Deaconess Walton are surrogates and anchors for the many children of the church and community as well. A couple that God has truly prepared and preserved for the children of others in need of care, love and guidance.

One of the more special qualities of Pastor Walton is that in all that he has accomplished, he gives all the credit firstly to God. All he ever says of himself is, "I did what I was supposed to do."