The Jubilee Centinel
A Holy Heritage - 50 - A Faithful Future
Pre-Towson History of Central Church
| 1789 - | Associate Reformed Presbyterian congregation planted |
| 1825 - | turned down by Baltimore Presbytery because pastor was too liberal |
| 1853 - | organized as Central Church in what is now the PCUSA with 83 members under Rev. Stuart Robinson, pastor of Franklin St. Church |
| 1855 - | first sanctuary, seating 1400, at corner of Liberty and Saratoga Streets |
| 1858 - | Dr. Thomas Peck, pastor |
| 1860 - | Rev. Silas Dunlop, pastor |
| 1861 - | War Between the States; Rev. Dunlop resigns over Session vote to stay in PCUSA |
| 1862 - | Dr. Joseph Smith, pastor |
| 1865 - | CPC starts Ridgely St. Mission, which becomes Ridgely Presbyterian Church |
| 1873 - | General Assembly of PCUSA meets at CPC; church burns down a few weeks later |
| 1879 - | new sanctuary completed on Eutaw St., dedicated by Dwight L. Moody |
| 1888 - | CPC plants Crisp Memorial Presbyterian Church |
| 1893 - | Rev. Hugh Walker, pastor |
| 1898 - | Dr. Dewitt Benham, pastor |
| 1906 - | CPC sends relief offering in wake of San Francisco earthquake |
| 1917 - | change from common cup in Communion to individual cups |
| 1928 - | CPC begins rapid decline along with Depression |
| 1938 - | Dr. Benham resigns |
| 1946 - | Baltimore Presbytery votes to dissolve CPC |
| 1948 - | CPC replanted on York Road using legacy left for this purpose by a member of Central; Dr. John Murray Smoot begins ministry |
For more CPC historical details and photos, see CPC History: What God Hath Wrought!
The Mission of Central Presbyterian Church is
MOVING PEOPLE TOWARD CHRIST
By being a community of faith,
which loves, encourages and equips them in Christ,
sending them out to serve.
Church Staff
Dr. Ronald W. Scates, Senior Pastor
Rev. Jerome D. Cooper, Associate Pastor for Missions and Discipleship
Dr. John Murray Smoot, Pastor Emeritus and Parish Associate
Rhonda A. Herman, Director of Children's Ministries
Christopher C. Ritchie, Director of Youth Ministries
John Griz Gifford, Interim Choir Director
Tom Brantigan, Organist
Janice L. Chubski, Office Manager
Lois S. Barkley, Church Secretary
Karen M. McCaffrey, Communications Coordinator
Wayne Parrish, Building & Grounds Maintenance Manager
Helena Santos, Assistant for PreSchool Ministries
Brenda Ames Ledbetter, Assistant Treasurer
Earl Marshall, Maintenance Supervisor
