Central Baptist Church Established
While serving as Assistant Pastor at his home church, New Bethany Baptist Church, Pastor Henry S. Moore was led by the Holy Spirit to start a Branch of Zion; the first location was at 413 Fourth Street, N.W., in Washington, D.C. After many prayers and much meditation, the first worship service of Central Baptist Mission was held on April 5, 1964.
Reverend Dr. Henry S. Moore, Sr. (1914-1995), was born in Conway, SC, to the Reverend Philip and Sister Maggie Moore*. He was educated in the public school system and graduated from Whittimore Senior High School. He accepted Christ at an early age and was united with the Hemingway Chapel A.M.E. Church.
In 1942, Pastor Moore was appointed to the Deacon Board and was ordained in 1943. He served as the President of the Baptist Training Union, Chairman of the Deacon Board, Superintendent of the Sunday School, and President of the Pastor's Aide Club. He organized a Bible Class, a Willing Workers' Club, and also sang in the choir for several years.
While serving as Chairman of the Deacon Board, Pastor Moore heard a call from God to preach His Word. In 1951, he preached his initial sermon and was licensed by Pastor Koger. In 1956, he enrolled in the Washington Baptist Seminary and was ordained in 1957. During that year, Reverend Koger appointed Reverend Moore as the Assistant Pastor; he served faithfully until 1964.
While serving as Assistant Pastor at his home church, New Bethany Baptist Church, Pastor Moore was led by the Holy Spirit to start a Branch of Zion; the first location was at 413 Fourth Street, N.W., in Washington, D.C.
After many prayers and much meditation, the first worship service of Central Baptist Mission was held on April 5, 1964. On that day, God's spirit led seven persons to join the mission--Sister Rehodonia Moore (his wife), Brother Henry S. Moore, Jr., (his son), Sister Margie Spain (his aunt)*, Sister Hazel V. Hardy, Sister Marsha Cramer*, Sister Lucille Gates*, and Sister Bernice Wallace Harmon.
As God added to the mission, Pastor Moore saw the need to organize Central Baptist Church. This worship service was held on May 29, 1964. Since the church was located in a redevelopment area, Pastor Moore set out to find a new location for the church. He located and purchased a building at 2417 Naylor Road, S.E., Washington, D.C. On November 1, 1964, the first worship service was held at this edifice.