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Central
Baptist Church was founded in the early 1900’s when Sister Lovey
McAfee Nesbitt determined that her rural community of Pickneyville in
Norcross, GA desperately needed a Sunday School. Equipped with a
clear vision and a strong faith in God, Sister Nesbitt organized the
Sunday School in a local schoolhouse with the support of a Methodist
preacher as superintendent and two Baptist teachers.
With a core
group and a following of 25 members, Rev. A.W. Williams became
Central’s first pastor. Under his tutelage, Central purchased ½
acre northwest of the old Central site and erected a new edifice in
June 1905. For more than 12 years Central experienced marvelous
growth and spiritual heights as Pastor Williams’ tenure concluded
due to retirement.
This began a
long line of outstanding pastors, including, but not limited to, Rev.
T.T. Gholston, Rev. T.H. Fanning, Rev. G.L. Allen, Rev. E.A.
Hargrove, Rev. R. L. McKibben, Rev. T.W. Smith, Rev. R.H. Milner,
Rev. E.A. Freeman and Rev. H.J. Jackson |
Despite a
devastating fire in 1943, God called Rev. H.H. Battle, a new
Morehouse graduate, to the pastorate. At this crucial time in
Central’s history, he was the chosen one along with a determined
few, to rebuild the beloved church we know as the old Central.
The new
edifice was dedicated on the second Sunday in October 1943. Guest
speaker was Rev. M.L. King, Sr. of Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Continuing
the succession of outstanding pastors, Rev. H. Bussey, Rev. O.A.
Smith, Rev. W.D. Hamm, Rev. J.E. Jones, Rev. J.E. Learry, Rev. J.M.
Smith, Rev. F.D. Taylor and Rev. G.W. Stephens, Central has been
blessed.
Pastor
Emeritus Gordon Stephens accepted the challenge and inspired the
membership by spear-heading building projects and making further
additions to the church. In addition, he brought young and old
together with a renewed vigor of fellowship and worship
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At the
retirement of Pastor Stephens, the baton was passed to our current
pastor, Erven A. Kimble who continued to build by implementing
ministries such as Administration, Christian Education,
Evangelism/Outreach, Fellowship, Worship, The Andrew Project just to
name a few.
Through the
spiritual guidance of Pastor Kimble, Central has modeled its ministry
to mirror the first century church, becoming a purpose-driven people
who are “Touching the World through Christian
Families.”
In January
2000, Central moved form a one acre site to a 25 acre site; a 2,500
square foot building with limited classrooms to a 48,000 square foot
church complex (20 classrooms and a gymnasium), a 120 seat chapel and
now a 1,200 seat sanctuary. Only the Awesome God can perform such
miracles.
Indeed it
was the move of God for Central to acquire this $3.2 million dollar
edifice. God has moved this 250-member congregation from a small,
modest building in Norcross to a magnificent edifice in Lilburn. Often
churches experience growth in increments, but not so with
Central.
To
God be the glory!
This
brief
account certainly does not constitute the depth and breadth of our
story, as we are still shaping our history right now.
Praising
Our Savior – All the Day Long
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