Our church began as a Sunday School in Deering Center on
October 23, 1899 under the auspices of the First Baptist Church of
Portland. Reverend J.B. Bryant was its first superintendent. It met in
a place that was to become a bakery at 3 Brentwood Street, later known
as Hoegg Hall. The first service of public worship was held in Hoegg
Hall on Sunday, March 17, 1901. The Reverend Bowley Green, pastor of
the First Baptist Church, continued to hold services each Sunday, until
the church became organized, and called its first pastor, Reverend
William Abbott Smith of Waterville, in March, 1903.
The church prospered and grew under his leadership, and those of his
successors, until in 1917 it had reached 400 members. The church was
incorporated under the State of Maine as the Central Square (Dunn
Memorial) Baptist Church in January, 1904. The ground was broken for
its present edifice in 1905, and was dedicated in 1907. In 1948 the
chancel of the church was renovated, which greatly enhanced the beauty
of its sanctuary. At the same time a fireplace was built in what is now
known as the Fireside Room. In 1957 a Casavant organ was purchased and
installed. It was dedicated in April 1958 at a special concert played
by John E. Fay, the Portland municipal organist. Further renovation was
carried out in 1974, when the church office and the pastor’s study were
relocated in adjoining offices. The former church office became the
choir-flower committee room, with a kitchenette added for us by the
diaconate for the preparation for the communion. Lexan was put over
other stained glassed windows after they were repaired in 1975, to
protect them from weather damage and possible breakage by vandalism.
The sanctuary was repainted in 1978, and in 1980 a new ramp for use by
the handicapped was built onto the church, making accessibility into
the building possible for everyone.
The following have served faithfully as pastors of the church:
1903-1907 Reverend William Abbott Smith
1908-1912 Reverend F.A. Robinson
1913-1916 Reverend Bowley Green
1917-1924 Reverend Addison B. Lorimer
1925-1941 Reverend Ferdinand F. Peterson
1941-1954 Reverend Harold C. Bonell
1954-1960 Reverend Roscoe C. Robison
1961-1971 Reverend Albert B. Phillips
1972-1990 Reverend Calvin T. Hayes
Nov.1990 to Dec. 2009 Reverend Daryl L. Lavway
Throughout its history the Central Square Baptist Church has sought
to minister to the community. It has faithfully proclaimed the Gospel
of Jesus Christ, and has sought to bring many into fellowship with
Christ and His Church. It shall continue to do so as long as it
maintains it’s ministry here.