Center Baptist Church

Center Baptist Church is a Christ-centered church in North Wilkesboro, NC. Member of the Stone Mountain Baptist Association.

Center Baptist Church was organized in January of 1886 as an offspring of Liberty Grove Church. The charter members of the church were S. S. Jennings, Susanah Jennings, James R. Jennings, Tenneyse Jennings, Jacob C. Elledge, N. S. Elledge, Henry Jennings, Rhoda Jennings and S. E. Adams.
These folks chose to begin their own church because of their difference of opinion with the other members of the Hardshell Baptists. The Union People, as these were called, believed in holding Sunday School and revivals. They also liked to use musical instruments while singing, which was not allowed by Hardshell Baptists.
The first meetings of the church were held in the home of members Henry Jennings and James Jennings. A building was erected in April 1886. The building was constructed mostly by volunteer labor on a small parcel of donated land. The small frame building was heated by a large wood stove and lighting was by kerosene lamps. The first Sunday in August was set as Communion Day and church members observed the Lord's Supper and washed each other's feet. During 1886 the membership increased to 54. Three persons joined by letter, twenty-one by baptism and twenty-one by application.
Center was a member of the Primitive Baptist Association from 1898 until September 1954. In February 1958 the church joined the Stone Mountain Missionary Baptist Association.
The original building was tom down in January 1922 and replaced with a new frame building at a cost of $1181. 00. A carbide lighting system was installed and served until electricity came to the community. In October 1955 a remodeling program was started. The church was moved approximately 300 feet from its original location and turned to face northward. Sunday school rooms, bathrooms, basement and a furnace were added as well as bricking the exterior. The work was completed in February 1956 at a cost of $4, 725. In 1963 a pastorium was completed. In 1967 the planning of an educational building was begun, construction began in May of 1969. Improvements have been made to the facilities since their completion as needs dictated.
In May of 2021 the Sanctuary was extensibly remodeled. New ceiling tiles were installed, carpet replaced, pews refurbished, a new pulpit and Communion table were installed, and it was repainted.