A Century on West Baltimore Street
The Central Baptist Church of Baltimore City occupies a corner of West Baltimore Street where members have gathered in person since November 18, 1957 - the day a long procession "marched into the building at our present location." That move, forced by an urban economic development project, was the seventh in a journey through Baltimore that also touched 907 Linden Avenue, 337 West Biddle Street, 340 West Preston Street, the 900 block of Eutaw Street, 301 North Stricker Street, and 1220 Park Avenue. The congregation's life stretches back more than a century, and its stated purpose remains unchanged: "a Christ-centered church dedicated to winning the lost and making strong disciples of Jesus Christ," existing to love and glorify God and to make His love known throughout the world.
Sunday Mornings at 9:45
The main Sunday gathering is a worship service in the sanctuary at 9:45 a.m., open to in-person and online attendance through the church's YouTube livestream and the CBC Mobile App. Services run about 75 minutes and feature a blend of contemporary and traditional gospel music with Bible-centered preaching. Before the service, Church School classes for adults, youth, and children meet around 8:15 a.m., and a separate Adult S.E.E.D. (Spiritual Elements Essential for Discipleship) class gathers at 8:15 a.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room. On the second and fourth Sundays, children and youth meet at 9:45 a.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room for the Children and Youth Connection.
Worship Care is available for infants and toddlers during the service. Greeters and ushers help first-time visitors find the nursery, a class, or a seat in the sanctuary. The Music Ministry is led by Gwen Taylor (President), Rodney Wyatt (Vice President), and Rev. Ryan Floyd (Lead Musician); the Praise Team's calling is to lead the congregation "in true worship, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit," drawing on both traditional and contemporary gospel selections.
A Wednesday of Bible Study
Midweek, Central hosts a Virtual Deep Dive Bible Study on Zoom from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The study is free, open to all adults 18 and older, and joins a Distance Learning Church School that also runs a Traditional Curriculum on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Zoom, with course materials provided at no cost. As the church puts it, "the study of God's Word is essential to the life and mission of God's people."
Three Mornings of Prayer
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 6:30 a.m., the church gathers for a Morning Prayer Call, also on Zoom, opening the day in scripture and intercession together.
Four Doors for Food Assistance
Central's compassion shows up most visibly in food distribution. The Nehemiah Central Community Development Corp hosts a free community food distribution on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. in front of the church on West Baltimore Street. The Gift of Love Center Food Pantry, launched in 1981 in partnership with the Maryland Food Bank, opens on the fourth Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Walk-up and curbside service are both available, with photo ID and a brief registration required. A typical grocery bag includes about a week of balanced staples - vegetables, cereal, fruit, rice and beans, soup, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, and tomato sauce - along with optional health, education, and employment referrals. The pantry does not stock fresh milk, perishable items, baby food, formula, diapers, or personal hygiene items, but emergency service outside regular hours is handled on a case-by-case basis through Dr. Gail N. Edmonds, Managing Director.
A Heritage of Pastoral Leadership
Seven ministers pastored the church before 1956, among them Rev. George Minor, Rev. George Johnson, Rev. Marcus Collier, and Rev. James Williams. After the move to West Baltimore Street, Rev. Dr. Montague J. Brackett served as Senior Pastor for forty-five years (1957-2002). He was followed by Rev. Dr. Lorenzo Long (2003-2011) and Rev. Dr. Rodney T. Morton (2013-2023). The church frames its current chapter with the phrase "Moving Forward Together," paired with the words of Matthew 28:19-20 - "Go ye therefore..." - as its continuing call.
Ministries Across the Lifespan
The Christian Education Ministry anchors a wide network of divisions. Deacon Joseph Edmonds coordinates Academic Tutoring, pairing members with children and youth who face learning obstacles for one-to-one sessions by appointment. Myra Staples serves as Church School Superintendent, with classes for all ages built around the Bible as the central text. Dr. Mildred Herring and Martha Turner lead the Curriculum Resource Ministry, supporting teaching across the church. Clara Carroll and Shirley Dower direct the Evangelism Ministry, training servant-leaders to share the Gospel beyond the building. Margaret Robbins and Deacon Joseph Edmonds run New Member Orientation, the path from first-time visitor to disciple. Rhonda Jackson heads the Scholarship Ministry, which administers a church fund for college and seminary students. Barbara Robinson coordinates Teacher Training and Development. Lois McLaughlin leads Vacation Bible School, the summertime outreach that invites children and families from the wider community to learn the gospel.
On the caring side, Margaree Long Lee and Debra Moore direct the Bereavement Ministry, supporting families after the loss of a loved one. Melvinia Cox and Akisha Price lead Health and Wellness, focused on the wholeness of body, mind, and spirit, and also run Helene's Nurses Unit, which helps with minor needs during services. Judith Scott heads the Missionary Ministry, supporting prayer and outreach to the weak and oppressed. Ushers, co-led by Deacon Clarence Massey and Cami Evans, greet each Sunday with a servant's posture and a smile.
The Outreach Ministry is built on Matthew 25:40 - "Serving the Least Among Us as Christ Commanded" - and touches the community in many directions. The church has adopted Frederick Elementary and Mary Ann Winterling Elementary Schools, supporting teachers and providing special gifts at Christmas. The Anchor Group partners with Community Works, Fayette Street Outreach, Boyd-Booth, Franklin Square, Tabernacle of the Lord, and Celebrations Church. Prime Agers, led by Shirley Dower and Irish McNeil, hosts a weekly senior fellowship with lunch, exercise, arts and crafts, and cultural trips. The Prison Ministry supports incarcerated individuals, returning citizens, and their families, with special gifts for children during the Christmas holiday. A Summer Youth Program for ages 14 to 18 runs for five weeks, offering employment readiness skills, financial literacy, health and wellness workshops, weekly field trips, and a daily lunch.
Other teams keep the ministry moving. Howard Moore, Roy Proeau, and Deacon William Tates lead the Media and IT team, responsible for livestreaming and the audio and video of every service and event. Deacon Johnny Dabney heads the Bus Transportation Ministry, picking up children (ages 5 and up with parental permission) and adults from local neighborhoods each Sunday. Deacon Johnny Dabney and Deacon James Armstrong lead the Security Ministry, providing discreet safety at services and events.
Planning a First Visit
The Sunday morning worship service runs about 75 minutes. Worship Care for infants and toddlers is provided during the service, and Sunday School classes for adults, youth, and children meet beforehand, with greeters ready to direct any guest to the right room. Dress ranges across the congregation, so guests are welcome in whatever they choose to wear.
Limited reserve and accessible parking is available in front of the church on Baltimore Street and at the side entrance on Pulaski Street, with on-street parking and the back lot on a first-come basis. Additional parking is available in the Bon Secours Hospital parking garage directly across Baltimore Street, and the Safety and Security team regularly helps with parking and accessibility. Greeters and ushers stand inside the front entrance to continue the welcome from there.
Giving Across Many Channels
Central offers several ways to give. Members and friends can give online through Givelify, the church's Ezekiel Giving portal, or the CBC Mobile App. Cash, check, money order, and major debit or credit cards are accepted in person, including through electronic card readers at services. Envelopes for cash, check, or money order can be dropped in the Pulaski Street door dropbox or mailed to the Trustee Office at 2031 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21223. Gifts-in-kind - furniture, building supplies, computers, and donated professional services - are also welcome. Planned giving provides an avenue for legacy gifts via wills, trusts, securities, real estate, personal property, life insurance, and IRA or retirement plan benefits, with the church's endowment earnings distributed annually to support the ongoing mission.
Affiliations and Networks
Central Baptist maintains three named affiliations - Lott Carey, the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. (NBC USA), and the Unified Missionary Baptist Convention of Maryland, Inc. (UMBC of MD). Through NBC USA, the church connects to mission work at home and abroad and to a wider Baptist witness across the country; through Lott Carey, it links to an international missions network; and through UMBC of MD, it stands with sister congregations across the state of Maryland.
Stay Connected
The CBC Mobile App is available on the iOS App Store and Google Play under "CBC Mobile" within "The Church App." The app is a hub for giving, ministry events, livestreams, and announcements. Robocall and text message alerts are sent to enrolled members for urgent or timely news, and members can opt in or retrieve the last delivered message by calling (877) 333-9336.