Central Baptist Church

The history of Central Baptist Church began on July 17, 1830, when eight pioneers formed Springfield's first Baptist witness, then known as First Baptist Church. Members from this congregation helped to organize Baptist churches in Loami, Clary Grove, Rock Creek, and Decatur, and established the North Baptist Church in Springfield.

In 1880, the congregations of the North Baptist Church and the First Baptist Church agreed to merge for a more effective witness and became Central Baptist Church.

Consistent with our early tradition of missionary expansion, members of Central Baptist Church also helped organize the South Seventh Street (now known as Cherry Hills), Elliott Avenue, Harvard Park, and Fairview Baptist churches in Springfield, as well as Judson Baptist Church in Chatham and Rolling Prairie Baptist Church in Rochester.

Our church community's current building was dedicated in December of 1966. In the traditional Colonial design, the church building is topped by a bell tower and spire. The tower bell which now calls us to worship is the historic bell that was heard by the townspeople of the Lincoln era.

We continue our strong missionary outreach today, working cooperatively with the American Baptist Churches, USA.