Central Church sits on Main Street in the heart of Huntington village, where its brick building and white steeple have been a fixture since 1889. The congregation traces its roots to 1864, when eighty-eight parishioners met with a committee of Presbytery to organize "The Second Presbyterian Church of Huntington." More than 160 years later, the church on Main Street is known for its motto, "Where Jesus Is Lord and All Are Loved," and for a blended style of worship that draws families, longtime members, and visitors from across Long Island.
Sunday Mornings at Ten
Worship is the center of life at Central. The Sunday service begins at 10:00 AM, and the sanctuary fills with a mix of hymns and contemporary songs - recent setlists have included "How Great Thou Art," "Oceans," "How Great Is Our God," "Doxology," and "Made for More." A weekly sermon series walks through books of the Bible; the current teaching arc is titled "Jesus in the Storm." Services are livestreamed on YouTube so anyone can join from home. Children attend the first portion of the service with their families and are then dismissed to Sunday school classes divided by age: Pre-K and kindergarten, first through fifth grade, and sixth through twelfth grade.
A Story That Began in 1864
Central's history is woven into the village around it. The original white clapboard building, dedicated in October 1865, was destroyed by fire in September 1888. A new brick church rose on the same spot and was dedicated in October 1889, the same year the congregation adopted the name "Central Presbyterian Church." Over the following decades, the building expanded to include a gymnasium, kitchen, and Sunday school classrooms. A Christian Education wing was added in 1957. In 1964, the brick church was razed to make way for the present sanctuary, built as part of the church's centennial. Membership peaked at 1,167 in 1967, and the manse next door was sold in 2007 to make way for the renovated gym, kitchen, and lobby that opened in 2010. In 2016, Central joined the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECO).
Core Values That Shape the Church
Central lists ten core convictions that guide its ministry. At the top is a Jesus-shaped identity - the conviction that Christ must be at the center of every believer's life and that making disciples is the core of ministry. The church holds to the Bible as the unique and authoritative Word of God, embraces the theological heritage of the Reformed tradition, and prizes "thoughtful theology" as one of its treasures. It calls itself an accountable community, an egalitarian ministry that welcomes the gifts of women, men, and every ethnic group, and a missional church committed to evangelism, spiritual formation, compassion, and redemptive justice. The remaining values emphasize center-focused spirituality, leadership development, and the goal of starting new missional communities to expand the Kingdom of God.
Kids Central and the Youth Group
Children and teenagers are a visible part of Central's life. Jeanine Stuyvesant, the Children's Ministry Director, oversees Sunday school classes and Kids Central, an after-school program for kindergarten through fifth grade that meets Thursdays from 4:30 to 6:00 PM, September through December and mid-January through early May. Each week the children learn about the Lord and explore what they've learned through music, art, drama, and dance. Teens meet as the Junior and Senior High Youth Group on Wednesdays at 7:30 PM for games, Bible study, and conversation under the leadership of Rayna Caputo. Throughout the year the group also hosts one-day outings, retreats, mission projects with local nonprofits, and weekend lock-ins. A Confirmation class is offered for students ready to confess their faith.
Adults Growing in Faith
Sunday Discipleship Bible Study meets in the "White Room," the large room by the exit to the parking lot, right after the worship service for a group walk through one book of the Bible at a time. Pastor George Bundt, an affiliate pastor ordained in 1970 and a Central member since 1986, leads a Monday evening Bible study at 7:00 PM, currently working through a series on miracles. A Wednesday morning study gathers at 10:30. The Women's Christian Council (WCC) organizes three Circles that meet the second Tuesday or Friday of the month in homes or at the church for fellowship, study, and service; the group also hosts retreats, brunches, dessert nights, and a summer garden party. A Visitation Team reaches out to anyone who has been away or could use a call.
Missions Close to Home and Far Away
Central supports a wide network of mission partners. Internationally, the church partners with Wycliffe Bible Translators, European Christian Mission, the Haitian American Friendship Foundation, International Training Partners, Cru International, United World Mission, Reach Beyond, SIM USA, and World Harvest Missions in Haiti, supporting the New Life Orphanage. Locally, Central stands with Soundview Pregnancy Center in Centereach, Long Island Citizens for Community Values in Lindenhurst, Helping Hand Rescue Mission in Huntington Station, Long Island Youth Mentoring in Brentwood, Long Island Teen Challenge in West Babylon, and Long Island Youth for Christ in Huntington Station.
Pastors, Leaders, and the Building
Head Pastor Paul Lee has served Central since 2018 and preaches for revival on Long Island, in Huntington village, and at Central. Pastor George Bundt, an affiliate pastor, often plays pickleball in the church gymnasium and looks forward to welcoming newcomers. The Session (elders) includes Rich Goetz, Doral Hardy, Kurt Roman, Antoinette Steo, Leslie Sutherland, and Suzanne Valerio, with Mike Schroeder as Clerk. The Deacons Board is led by Rachel Silvia, and the Trustees by Fran Bundt. The church office is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and the building's gymnasium, kitchen, and education wing continue to host weekly ministries as they have for generations.