A Fuller History of Central Baptist Church
In the history of Central Baptist Church one can see the development of the Baptist movement in Monmouth County. From First Baptist Church of Middletown, organized in 1688 (known today as Old First since it is the oldest Baptist Church in New Jersey) other churches came into existence. On July 30, 1853, members of the First Baptist Church of Middletown who lived in the vicinity of Riceville were dismissed to form the Second Baptist Church of Middletown. In 1877 this church became known as the Navesink Baptist Church. Due to a population growth on the west side of Atlantic Highlands, a Sunday School was started in the home of James D. Leonard. This Sunday School became prosperous numerically and on June 8, 1883, they dedicated their place of worship on Avenue D and Highland Avenue which was known as Chapel of Navesink Baptist Church. On December 3, 1889, the name changed to Atlantic Highlands Baptist Church and within one month the Area Baptist Council recognized it as a full-fledged church.
By February 27, 1892, the people who lived in the eastern part of Atlantic Highlands organized a Sunday School known as the East Side Baptist Sunday School which met in the WCTU (Women’s Christian Temperance Union) Temple. Within a one-year period, the growth within the Sunday School lead to the organization of this Sunday School into a full congregation. On January 26, 1893, Central Baptist Church was organized. By October 1, 1893, when Frank C. Colby became the first Pastor the number of members was 99. On July 26, 1894, the cornerstone was laid and on December 28, 1894, the building that we know as Central Baptist Church was dedicated. The building which has a dimension of 60 feet on Highland Avenue with a depth of 90 feet on Third Avenue is an imposing and impressive structure. The tower is 12 feet square and 72 feet in height. According to the deed the church could not have a bell, therefore a beacon light was used to shine from the tower for the evening services, as well as serve as a symbol of the church’s call to be a light to the Bayshore area. The “bells of 3rd Avenue” have rung out since 1950, however, when chimes were installed in the tower.
Biblically, we know that our church is not our magnificent building. The church is a people on mission together, redeemed by His grace and committed to do His work in the world. As one studies the history of this church, one becomes aware of the power of God to save, the power of God to transform lives, the power of God to change the community where the people of God dwell, and the power of God to envision new and great things for the glory of God.
Since 1893, the pastorate of this church was held by 18 lead pastors. More importantly, however, is the hundreds of committed men and women that have given superb leadership in service to the Lord, in service to their brothers and sisters, and for the world around. There are many throughout the church and its surrounding areas who could give testimonies about our predecessors who have influenced their lives for good, and in their turn, would give testimony that they have done only what was expected of them, because God has done so much for them. During these years, many young men and women heard the call of God for full time ministry and became pastors, missionaries, youth and collegiate workers, and church secretaries. Throughout Central’s history, the Gospel message has gone out to this state, to this nation and to the whole world, as evangelism and missions have been integral parts of the life of the church.
Important dates:
February 27, 1892 – East Side Baptist Sunday School Organized
March 6, 1892 – East Side Baptist Sunday School First Meeting
January 26, 1893 – Central Baptist Church Organized
October 1, 1893 – Rev. F. C. Colby begins as the First Pastor
July 26, 1894 – Laying the Cornerstone Dedication of the Building
January 4, 1902 – Switch from Gas to Electric Light
May 10, 1903 – Mortgage Paid for the Church Building
April 7, 1919 – Mortgage Paid for the Parsonage
April 7, 1921 – T. H. Leonard Completes Thirty Years of Sunday School Superintendency
July 2, 1921 – Mrs. M. L. Stout and Mrs. E. Roberts Elected by the Church as the First Deaconesses
1934 – The Interior of the Church is Redecorated and the Baptistry is painted by C. K. Linson
February 1949 – Emmanuel Baptist is Formed
1950 – Chimes Installed in the Church Tower
1954 – Fred & Marion Gibbon begin their Missionary Career
March 20, 1964 – Death of W. Harry Posten, after Forty-Five Years of Service as Trustee, Church Clerk and Deacon
June 4, 1972 – The Dedication of the New Organ
July 28, 1985 – Main Meeting Room is Dedicated in Honor of Pastor Harry W. Kraft
February, 1986 – Revs. Bob and Wendy Zoba became the church’s first ministerial couple
July 1, 1987 – The Fellowship Hall is Dedicated in Honor of William “Pop” Maxon
October, 1993 – Church Centennial Celebration
Lead Pastors:
October 1893 – March 1897 – Rev. Frank C. Colby
May 1897 – November 1897 – Rev. William H. Shermer
January 1898 – March 1901 – Rev. J. S. Russell
November 1901 – December 1903 – Rev. A. B. MacLaurin
August 1904 – December 1907 – Rev. F. H. Shermer
January 1908 – January 1911 – Rev. Frank Fletcher
January 1912 – April 1920 – Rev. George H. Gardner
June 1920 – April 1925 – Rev. Martin Brynildsen
June 1925 – April 1932 – Rev. Ralph W. Carr
January 1932 – October 1936 – Rev. George R. Ellin
January 1936 – November 1942 – Rev. William R. Schillinger
February 1943 – September 1945 – Rev. R. Eugene Shearer
February 1946 – February 1949 – Rev. Howard Erwing
September 1949 – July 1990 – Rev. Harry W. Kraft
February 1986 – July 1990 – Revs. Robert and Wendy Zoba
May 1991 – June 2020 – Rev. George Hancock-Stefan
July 2020 – April 2022 – Rev. Dale Miller
May 2022 – present – Rev. Matt Agresti