Central Baptist Church

Where Christ is Central

Central Baptist Church at 150 S. Second Street in downtown Memphis.  Construction was completed 1876.

Our History

Phone: 901-385-1809

 

Central Baptist Church has a history dating back to the close of the Civil War.  On December 3, 1865 forty-nine persons withdrew from the First Baptist Church to form another congregation.  This was done at the suggestion of Rev. A. B Miller, the pastor of the church during the Civil War. 

In December of 1868, a site was secured at 150 S. Second Street, and work was started on the building. The building was not completed until 1876.  The building was of red brick with an eight-story tower.  The auditorium, located on the second floor, had a lofty ceiling and beautiful memorial windows of stained glass.  Later, mahogany pews and carved mahogany pulpit furniture were added.

The church grew rapidly and started many missions throughout the city around the turn of the century.   These missions include the Rowan Memorial Chapel which later became the Central Mission.  The Bellevue Mission Sunday School that developed into Bellevue Chapel was started in 1903.

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In 1933 Central Baptist Church became an independent Baptist Church.  During these years many Memphians moved out of downtown to areas east.   This left fewer members in the church who could not sustain the building.  The building was sold and then razed in 1937.  The members met in the YMCA until 1940 when property on Crump Blvd. was purchased.  A new auditorium was constructed for the members and it was completed in 1942.  The church was located at 1030 E. H Crump Boulevard.

During the next several decades the Lord’s work continued in the church.  The church’s interest in mission work grew and several members of the church went to the mission field.  Mission work was also carried out through radio programs and the desire to start a work in East Memphis that later became Willow Park Baptist Church.  In 1964 Central Baptist adopted the Faith Promise Plan of missionary giving which is used today to support a large number of foreign missionaries.

In the early 1970’s the church purchased property at 5470 Raleigh Lagrange Road and moved there in 1974.  This is the current location of the church.  The church started Central Baptist School in 1973.  The school continues to operate on the same site as the church.

 

 

Service Times:

Sunday:

Sunday School and Adult Bible Study:     9:30 am

Morning Service:             10:30 am

Evening Service:           6:00 pm

Wednesday:

Bible Study, Prayer and Youth Meetings:     7:00pm

Master Club:          6:50pm