| Our Church History |
1919 was a year of change, new beginnings, new laws and new growth. But in the hearts and minds of the forerunners and founders of Central Baptist Church, who came from Virginia to work on Dutchess County farms, was to have a place to worship. Many of these people had attended Hope Church in Virginia. After worshipping with friends on Sunday at their church in Clinton Corners and with the assistance of Rev. A. W. Farmer of Poughkeepsie, a Mission was formed and called New Hope Baptist Mission being a namesake of Hope Church in Virginia.
On June 24, 1869, in a small village called Bloomvale, a new chapel was dedicated as a branch of the Dutch Reformed Church at South Millbrook. Eventually, this building became the future home of Central Baptist Church.
The former Dutch Reformed building was unoccupied and was being used as a storage place for farm machinery and hay. The members of the New Hope Baptist Mission decided to talk to Mr. Edwin Sweezy, the owner of the building about holding services there. The result was a rental agreement with the consideration of one cent per month and a lengthy set of stipulations. Brother Sank Morton, Brother Clem Hancock, Brother Armistead Wells and Brother Walter Coleman signed the agreement on the first day of December 1, 1916. The new congregation held services there starting in the spring of 1917, with a very small membership; the people had a mind to work. Sunday school was held every Sunday morning. Prayer and preaching service were held in the afternoon. The first revival was held in the fall of 1917, with Reverend W. E. Jones as the revivalist. As a result 15 people were added to the membership of the New Hope Baptist Mission. This was our church home for 70 years until it was damaged by fire in 1987 and demolished two years later and converted into our parking lot.
On Sunday, May 11, 1919, the New Hope Baptist Mission was organized into the Central Baptist Church of Clinton Corners NY. Reverend Leo B. Brown, Pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church of Poughkeepsie NY was chairman of the meeting. The following officers were elected: Sis. Louise Braddock, Clerk, Sister Nannie Morton, Treasurer, Deacons were Sank Morton, John Morton, William Braddock, Benjamin Braddock and Clem Hancock. Reverend E. W. Ellis was the spiritual leader during this time.
The Reverend Frank H. Wiggins was called as our first permanent pastor and served for 20 years. It was under his administration that we bought the church building and at a later date the lot that the building stood on. The total cost was $1,000.00. It was no easy task during the depression times when money was virtually non-existent.
On Saturday, February 25, 1922, the church was incorporated with three Trustees, namely, Bro. Charles Duke, Bro. Harry Braddock and Bro. Armistead Wells. Present at that meeting was Reverend Frank Wiggins, Justice of the Peace Newton Fowler and 17 church members.
In 1925 the existing church bell was donated by Mr. Andrew Hunt of Pleasant Valley, whose mother was a former member of the Dutch Reformed Church. It was donated in her memory. It was in 1925 that our church received a letter from Poughkeepsie Ku Klux Klan #237 requesting what has been referred to as a “charitable visit.” We have been told that two
Black churches in the City of Poughkeepsie received similar requests at the same time. Central Baptist Church replied by accepting their proposal. On the Sunday evening of their visit they entered the service in hooded robes, singing “Onward Christian Soldiers.” The spokesman, whom most of us recognized by his voice and stature, made a short speech, gave a $50 donation and they were on their way again.
In 1939, Reverend Charles E. Byrd assumed the Pastorate on the recommendation of Rev. Wiggins, who had resigned. Revered Byrd’s tenure was interrupted by service as a Chaplain in the US Army. During his tenure, Reverend Byrd was instrumental in setting up the Weekly Envelope System and a Church checking account. During his absence Reverend Samuel Hodge faithfully served the congregation as Interim Pastor.
In 1947 Reverend Roger L. Douglas (1947-1957) began a ten-year term as Pastor. He was instrumental in establishing a Deaconess Ministry and in re-organizing the Senior and Youth Choirs.
In December 1957, Reverend Robert D. Dixon, Sr., (1957-1978) was called and served 19 years. During his tenure many structural changes were made, including a new addition with a meeting hall, indoor plumbing, a Baptismal poo installed, the pulpit was revamped, the kitchen was remodeled, a parsonage was purchased in Poughkeepsie NY at 105 Garden Street and the sanctuary was paneled. The membership grew tremendously. The most inspiring accomplishment was when Rufus A. Strother, Jr., was called to the ministry. In 1978, Reverend Dixon was called to a greater field of service.
In December 1957, Reverend Robert D. Dixon, Sr., (1957-1978) was called and served 19 years. During his tenure many structural changes were made, including a new addition with a meeting hall, indoor plumbing, a Baptismal poo installed, the pulpit was revamped, the kitchen was remodeled, a parsonage was purchased in Poughkeepsie NY at 105 Garden Street and the sanctuary was paneled. The membership grew tremendously. The most inspiring accomplishment was when Rufus A. Strother, Jr., was called to the ministry. In 1978, Reverend Dixon was called to a greater field of service.
Reverend Melvin Jerome Rountree became Pastor March 6, 1978 (1978-1994) and served almost 17 years until God called him to his eternal home on November 13, 1994. With Rev. Rountree as our leader, the membership was growing tremendously. A new senior choir, a youth choir, a mass choir and a gospel chorus was revived and renewed. Bible Study was held every Wednesday night and Sunday School attendance doubled. We were able to purchase a bus, a van, new hymnals, cushions and the adjacent parsonage and had sold the parsonage located at 105 Garden Street, Poughkeepsie NY. With the purchase of the adjacent parsonage we were able to acquire ample space for the building of our existing place of worship which was dedicated on August 20, 1989, free and clear of debt after a fire had destroyed our 1919 edifice on 3/3/1987.
The cause of the fire was a faulty heating pipe. Religious groups of all persuasions donated money and worship space to us. During the months the church was being rebuilt, our congregation was never without a place to pray and worship. According to Pastor Rountree, “so many people opened their doors for us,” “Every Sunday we had a place to worship.” The only souvenir from the old building is the bell, which still sits it in once brand new tower on top of the church.
Today the church has a membership from all over Dutchess County, as well as a few from Columbia and Ulster Counties; so that the name “Central” is as relevant as it was some 100 years ago when traveling was done by the horse and buggy.
On Sunday, August 20, 1989 at 4:00 pm, the Central Baptist Church family and friends marched from the original church building site across Church Road into our New Edifice that God had so graciously blessed us with. Erected under the present administration of Reverend Melvin J. Rountree, Pastor; Deacons: Lee A. Duke, Robert Green, Charles Johnson, Gilbert Johnson, Charles Morgan, Edward Nicholas and Jesse Thompson. Deaconesses: Roberta Duke, Dorothy Johnson, Gladys Johnson, Lucille Jones, Lueginger Morgan, Bertha Moseley, Hazel Rountree, Claudia Sims, and Mae C. Thompson; Trustees: Walter Ballard, Lillie Cooper, Roberta Duke, Norma Green, Robert Hancock, Charles Johnson, Lewis Lindsay, William Morgan and Irene Shultz.
God has been good to Central and we “Thank Him” for the first individuals and families who were instrumental in starting the Church and those who have played a great role in keeping it going thus far.
Pastor Tony Hart was called in October 1996 and served as our Pastor until he resigned January 15, 1997. Central has gone through many decades of renewal, revival, restructuring and resurrection. The Church has continued to grow in favor, fellowship, and family. It has been the best of times and it has been the worst of times.
On February 4, 1998, (1998-2018) a call to pastor was extended and accepted by the Reverend Richard P. Butler, Sr. In the 20 years Pastor Butler served, the church experienced exceptional growth both numerically and spiritually. Along with the purchase of van, 9.5 acres of land. A new PA system was installed, many young people have been baptized and become a part of our church family, as well as adults. History was made when the first two female deacons were ordained under the leadership of Pastor Butler. Three individuals are presently in training to become Deacons and one member in training to become a Deaconess. Our church motto changed to “The Church with a Spirit of Expectancy” and a Saturday morning Bible Study has been added. With the addition of Brother James Patterson, and his wife Reverend Delores Patterson, our services with our Praise Team has gone to a new level of Expectancy and Praise. Reverend Richard P. Butler, Sr., resigned in January 2018.
On April 1, 2019, Reverend Amos L. Marsh was called to serve as our Acting Pastor. Today, we are experiencing rebirth, reorganization and revitalization. With a “Spirit of Expectancy” we are moving onward and upward. To God be the Glory!