How it all started...
OCTOBER 4, 1931
A small group of people met for the purpose of organizing a church. After prayer for guidance in the establishment of their church, they discussed the biblical principles and Christian experiences that would bind them together.
They elected Joe Jeffers to be their pastor and named the church the Jonesboro Baptist Church. Property was purchased on the corner of Matthews and Citizen Streets, and a large wooden tabernacle was constructed. The floors were dirt; the benches had three planks across the seat and three across the back. The building was heated in the winter with several gas heaters and cooled in the summer with open windows and large fans – sometimes blowing across large cakes of ice placed in tubs. In 1932, Jeffers left for an extended period and recommended Dale Crowley to take his place. The church became the largest in Jonesboro as people from all walks of life and backgrounds became members. In spite of many hardships and controversy, Brother Crowley continued to serve as pastor until 1936. The name changed to Tabernacle Baptist Church, and continued to grow and serve the community. Rev. L.L. Shoptaw came to serve as pastor in 1936. During his service, the church bought the Markle Home at 1010 South Main. A basement was dug by the men of the church, where services were held, with the Sunday School classes held in the upstairs rooms. The name was then changed to Central Baptist Church. God did many great and mighty works at 1010 South Main Street, but it became evident we needed more room for growth. In 1993, God opened the way to begin this journey to our present location. The relocation plan from downtown took more than ten years to come to fruition.
NOVEMBER 2004
In November 2004, Central relocated to its present facility. Dr. Archie Mason was called to be Central’s Senior Pastor in January of 2005. God has continues to do great things. Central has grown to over 6,000 resident and non-resident members, and tripled in average worship attendance. Central launched the Journey Campus in January of 2010, launched the Word Campus in January of 2013, launched the Refuge Service in August of 2013, launched the Newport Campus in January of 2015, and launched the Paragould Campus in August 2018. Word Campus later launched as a church plant, Word Baptist Church, in January of 2017. Journey Campus later launched as a church plant, Journey Church, in January 2018. Newport Campus launched as a church plant, Village Creek Baptist Church, in January 2019. And we launched our Paragould Campus in Paragould, AR in August of 2019.
A small group of people met for the purpose of organizing a church. After prayer for guidance in the establishment of their church, they discussed the biblical principles and Christian experiences that would bind them together.
They elected Joe Jeffers to be their pastor and named the church the Jonesboro Baptist Church. Property was purchased on the corner of Matthews and Citizen Streets, and a large wooden tabernacle was constructed. The floors were dirt; the benches had three planks across the seat and three across the back. The building was heated in the winter with several gas heaters and cooled in the summer with open windows and large fans – sometimes blowing across large cakes of ice placed in tubs. In 1932, Jeffers left for an extended period and recommended Dale Crowley to take his place. The church became the largest in Jonesboro as people from all walks of life and backgrounds became members. In spite of many hardships and controversy, Brother Crowley continued to serve as pastor until 1936. The name changed to Tabernacle Baptist Church, and continued to grow and serve the community. Rev. L.L. Shoptaw came to serve as pastor in 1936. During his service, the church bought the Markle Home at 1010 South Main. A basement was dug by the men of the church, where services were held, with the Sunday School classes held in the upstairs rooms. The name was then changed to Central Baptist Church. God did many great and mighty works at 1010 South Main Street, but it became evident we needed more room for growth. In 1993, God opened the way to begin this journey to our present location. The relocation plan from downtown took more than ten years to come to fruition.
NOVEMBER 2004
In November 2004, Central relocated to its present facility. Dr. Archie Mason was called to be Central’s Senior Pastor in January of 2005. God has continues to do great things. Central has grown to over 6,000 resident and non-resident members, and tripled in average worship attendance. Central launched the Journey Campus in January of 2010, launched the Word Campus in January of 2013, launched the Refuge Service in August of 2013, launched the Newport Campus in January of 2015, and launched the Paragould Campus in August 2018. Word Campus later launched as a church plant, Word Baptist Church, in January of 2017. Journey Campus later launched as a church plant, Journey Church, in January 2018. Newport Campus launched as a church plant, Village Creek Baptist Church, in January 2019. And we launched our Paragould Campus in Paragould, AR in August of 2019.
Sunday Service Times
Here are the times and locations for all Sunday services of Central Baptist Church:
Central Campus - 3707 Harrisburg Road, Jonesboro
8, 9:30, or 11am
Paragould Campus - Greene County Fairgrounds
9:30 or 11am
All services are broadcast "live" online,
Facebook, and Youtube
We invite you to become a part of our Central story
as we take the Gospel of Jesus to our community and our world.