Our church’s tradition was nourished by the energies of others who served Our Lord and established a house of worship. God planted the seed for this church in the heart and mind of five women led by Ella Brooks Thompson, Ida Smith, Sarah Walker, Effie Lewis, and Rita Logan. They met in private homes and tents until March 1905. The first services were held in the Y.M.C.A. located at 2633 Lucas Avenue. Rev. Minor J. Mace of Paducah, Kentucky was the first pastor. A few months later, this fledgling congregation moved to a building on Morgan Street (Delmar Blvd.) and was renamed Morgan Street Christian Church.
In 1910 the church moved to 4322 Kennerly. Membership increased tremendously due to African Americans migrating from the South. Rev. Briscoe Woolfolk (1910 …) was involved with St. Louis Public Schools purchasing the property. Turner School was built on the land of the prior church.
In 1924 Morgan Street Christian Church purchased property at 4400 Lucky (now Aldine Avenue). The purchase was made possible through a $10,000 gift from the Christian Women’s Board of Missions (CWBM) who was celebrating its Centennial (100 years). In appreciation for the gift, the church name became Centennial Christian Church.
It is remarkable that during the Great Depression and under the faithful leadership of Rev. William Alphin the church was able to burn the mortgage. Rev. Alphin (1927-1937) and his wife Mary Jamison, touched Disciples throughout the region and Alphin Dormitory is still on Jarvis Christian College (Disciples of Christ) in Hawkins, Texas to celebrate their dedication. Rev. Peter C. Washington served as Interim Pastor of Centennial for one year and later became President of Jarvis Christian College.
During Rev. Prince Albert Gray’s administration (1938 – 1950), the pastor and members participated in numerous religious and civic organizations. Their faithfulness and dedication achieved local, state, and national recognition. In 1945 the current building located at 4950 Fountain Avenue was purchased for $25,000 from The First Christian Church.
Rev. William K. Fox, Sr. (1950-1960) became the pastor and brought wife Rubena and children William, Jr. and Katherine with him. During his tenure, major structural renovations were completed, and the church indebtedness was eliminated. Consistent attendees included members and non-members PLUS Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and other church activities for all ages. The Sunday School and Vacation Bible School were a training ground for many young persons.
Rev. Dr. Samuel W. Hylton, Jr., answered the call to service in October 1961 with his very pregnant wife Mildred McLeod and son Samuel, III. In January, baby Karen blessed the family and Centennial. Notable accomplishments included the church’s mortgage paid, a parking lot finished, Bush Auditorium dedicated, and a handicapped access ramp completed. Centennial was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Increased membership, youth retreats, social services for the community and the Delta Sigma Theta Literacy Center were highlights during his tenure. Centennial’s legacy and Hylton were synonymous with “Doing God’s Work”. Many faith-based activities and changes occurred internally and externally during Pastor Hylton’s spiritual leadership for 36 years. His light continued as Pastor Emeritus until his transition July 4, 2018.
After Pastor Hylton’s retirement in 1997, Rev. Dr. John Doggett served as Interim Pastor from July 1997 to May 1998. In June 1998, Rev. T. Eugene Fisher came to Centennial. He resigned from the church in 2001. Interim Pastor Marvin Goodrich continued our spiritual journey from 2001 until December 2003.
Reorganization efforts occurred after the congregation completed the Faithful Planning Process. The series of workshops gave the membership effective growth and spiritual awareness tools. All factions of Centennial were expected to participate in the six-week leadership training that concluded with an operations manual for six primary ministries.
In January 2004 Rev. Larry D. Hill became pastor with his wife Chrystal and sons Dwan and Marcus by his side. His musical family enhanced the choir and music ministry. Rev. Hill developed our vision and mission statement, “A lighthouse for all who seek the Lord” … “We are the people of God who love one another and share that love by building ministries that Reach, Teach and Win Souls for Christ!”
On October 1, 2007, Rev. Derrick L. Perkins, Sr. (Bridget) and daughter Aliyah graced us with their servant/pastor philosophy. Derrick, II. and Andrew were born into our Centennial family. Rev. Perkins’ wealth of community experiences, resources and grant writing skills afforded Centennial and the St. Louis community more opportunities for social services. Mental Health Education and Responses through the Bridges to Care Program, HIV/AIDS programming, Unleashing Potential Summer Camp, and “C3” (C to the third power Mentoring Programs: MOVE – Men of Vision and Expectations and GLAM – Gracefully Loving All of Me) are a few. In addition, Pastor Perkins led the development and creation of the Health & Wellness Ministry. During Rev Perkins’ leadership, Centennial’s Food Ministry was created, providing additional communal support and programming to address the ongoing hunger crisis and poverty that exist within the city and counties of St. Louis. Rev. Perkins’ passion and initiatives have enhanced youth and at risk/underserved persons. Our Nationally Historic Church (built in 1896) has experienced an improved and renovated Fellowship Hall, Food Pantry, bathrooms, and a new electrical system. The Perkins family revitalized former Centennial traditions of church family and quality time devoted to telephone calls, cards, home visits and hospital visits. Centennial’s youngest minister inspires us to “Think Out of the Box” and the Communication Ministry has moved us into the 21st Century’s social media which includes Facebook, YouTube, Virtual Worship Services during the pandemic, Instagram, Twitter, Zoom calls and more.
Numerous outreach projects began with Centennial’s leadership, and many continue today:
1978-1980 Centennial Head Start Center (first integrated pre school in St. Louis)
1973 – now first housing ministry venture by African Americans in St. Louis - Centennial Plaza for seniors was purchased
1979 – now Social Service Resource provides counseling, and direct/indirect services for mental health, trafficking, health concerns
1987 - now sponsors Centennial Plaza, Hylton Point, and Hylton Point II Apartments for seniors
2000 - now in-kind sponsor of The Breakfast Club – an African American Breast Cancer Support Group who meets monthly at Centennial
2018 – now providing space each summer for Unlimited Potential to provide academic and enrichment programs to children at no cost
Revised by Cheryl Alphin Ward May 2021
Updates Made on 10/17/2024
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