Central Baptist Church began on August 14, 1903 at the close of a tent revival, but was named “Missionary Baptist Church at Dripping Springs”, with J.M. Dawson called to be the first pastor over a 16-member congregation. The church’s first meeting place was in the Flatrock School on Hamrock Road. Services were held on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month. On October 3, 1903, two deacons were elected “to be ordained when convenient.” Their official duties were to look after the lamps and oil.
On April 30, 1904, the church’s name was changed to the “Good Will Missionary Baptist Church of Italy,” at which time, the church moved into Italy. On April 14, 1907, its name was changed to “Second Baptist Church”. From 1904 until 1913, the church met in several different places, but in 1913, the church purchased the old city auditorium. The auditorium was dismantled and a new church building was constructed. As the congregation moved into its first real home, the name was changed for the final time to “Central Baptist Church” on November 19, 1913. They were also known as the “Firebell Baptist Church” because the building was located near the fire station.
The church building served the congregation for 52 years. In 1965 a new building was completed. A fellowship center, office complex, and modern preschool facility were added in 1983. In 1990, major expansion and renovations of the worship center were completed.
In 2005, Central Baptist Church purchased a store-front building on Main Street in Italy, now known as “The Cornerstone”. This building is used primarily by the youth of the church for Bible study, youth activities, and community events.
In the early years, the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention was called upon several times for financial aid. However, since 1924, the church has been financially independent and has gone on to help in the establishment of mission points around the world. The first mission offering the church collected, in 1919, was $135. In 1985, Central Baptist started the Southlake Baptist Church of Waxahachie, and in 1992, gave $32,338 to missions.
Central Baptist led out with mission trips to Mexico, Arizona, Honduras, and Greece while seeing significant growth at home in attendance, baptisms and church membership. Central Baptist Church is looking forward to growing in Christ, serving its community, and going to the world with the Gospel for another 100+ years!