Church History

by Mae Strickland (Edited)

(Mae entered heaven November 2011)

  Bro. Loys Vess, Pastor of Central Baptist Church, sent a man by the name of Clyde Boyd to Lewisville to start a church 1952.  He lived with his aunt Annie on College Street and started looking for a building to rent.  He finally found the old Vita Croft building located at the corner of Purnell Street and Mill Street.  The building had no window in it, and only a dirt floor.  He put a partial floor in it to set the piano on.  In the later part of May, 1952, Central Baptist church was born.   We didn’t stay in this building very long.  Clyde looked for a bigger building to hold the people.  Our church grew rapidly, so he found another building.  Our second building was located on Main Street in Old Town, on the south side of Main Street.  We prayed and we visited.  Our congregation began to grow, and we were thankful for that.  God answers prayers.  We stayed in this building for about 1 year or more, then we were able to purchase the property where the church sits now. 

     Pastor Ray Kennedy came to Central Baptist in 1955.  His name was Bro. Ray Kennedy and his family.  Bro. Kennedy had 3 children.  They moved in the parsonage for about 1 ½ years.  Maybe 2 years.  Bro. Kennedy wasn’t here very long.  He was a fine Pastor and he preached the word of God.  Some people were saved and baptized under his leadership.  Bro. Kennedy had Leukemia.  He held the pulpit as long as he could, but he finally had to give it up.  He gave his notice to leave about 1981 or 1982.  He passed away and went on to be with the Lord.  

     Bro. Ralph Liles and his family came in 1957, and relocated from Bowling Green, Kentucky.  Bro. Liles taught the Bible, preached the Bible, and lived the Bible.​  He was instrumental in starting Faith Promise Missions and the offering grew to be good.   Under His ministry many men surrendered their lives to the ministry and missions.

     Pastor Taylor came to Central Baptist Church from Southside Baptist Church in Denison, TX.  He also preached the Word of God.  Lots of people were saved and baptized.  Our auditorium was almost full. We kept working and praying.  In 1986, Bro. Taylor’s pastor left Central to Pastor his previous church, Southside Baptist Church. 

     Pastor Al Jones came to us from Florida in 1986.  His wife’s name was Laura and he had 4 children.   As time went on, we remodeled the auditorium as it is now.  Bro. Jones gave his notice to leave the church in Oct. of 2009.  

     We were without a Pastor for about 6 months.  We kept on praying and seeking God’s will for our church.    God answered our prayer.

     Pastor Roy Blair became pastor in 2010.  Bro. Blair has help 3 churches get started.  The most recent was Solid Rock Baptist Church in Rusk where he was before he came to Central.  

 

Clyde Boyd

1952- 1955