Saturday, July 25, 2009
Central Baptist ChurchCongregation close-up of the month
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JARED SOARES The Roanoke Times
Central Baptist Church Pastor Joseph Keaton and Mary Banks embrace during a picnic held last week on the grounds where their new church will be built. Keaton anticipates breaking ground in early fall on the new church building.
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Archive
1502 Staunton Ave. N.W.
Roanoke
About the staff
Pastor: Joseph Keaton
Members: 450
Church history
The church was founded in 1914 in Northeast Roanoke, and in its early years members lived within walking distance. A new structure was built on Kimball Avenue in 1939, and another in 1960 in response to congregation growth. The latest addition to the building was completed in 1991 to house additional ministries.
Church members are planning a new expansion on Barrington Drive in Northwest Roanoke.
Service times and types
Sunday worship: 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday school: 9 a.m.
Monday: 6:30 p.m. Bible study
Wednesday: 7 p.m. prayer meeting
Physical description
The sanctuary was built 1938 by a Primitive Baptist congregation, and is adorned with mahogany pews. The exterior is a Colonial red brick structure with tall stained-glass windows.
Personality of the congregation
The congregation is family structured, and many members are descendents of the 1914 founders. There are many members of different ages. As it always has been, the church's focus is to prepare the youth for tomorrow.
Pastor's favorite Scripture
Philippians 3:13-14 "Brethren I count not myself to have apprehended: but this is one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
