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"...We walk by Faith, Not by sight...." |
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The history of the Greater Second Baptist Church dates back to the year of 1924, then known as Second Baptist Church, established by the late Rev.
Gathright. The church was located at 21st and Madison streets. The late Rev. Gathright pastored until his demise in 1935. |
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In 1936, property was purchased at 22nd and Madison streets. The building was destroyed by fire. For the next three years,
services were held at the following locations, Gay's Hall at Arkansas Baptist College, and a building at 24th and High streets.
Twenty-three years later, the Church relocated in order to accommodate
the growing congregation. On March 19, 1962 the church purchased the structure on 29th and High streets. Pioneers instrumental in this movement . |
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were the late Rev. C.C. Holmes, the late Deacons: William Denson, R.J. Carnell and L.C. Floyd.
The current pastor, Rev.
Curtis Ridout was later named pastor of Greater Second Baptist Church in September 1963.
On December 1, 1972, the church authorized the Deacon board to seek |
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means of appropriation for a building program through the Baptist Buildings and Bonds, Inc. The church was later approved for the Baptist
Buildings and Bonds, Inc. financing. |
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The ground breaking ceremony was held July 1, 1973. While the new edifice was being erected, worship services were held in the old
Mt. Vernon Church from May 20, 1973 through January 20, 1974. The first worship services were held in the new building on January 27, 1974. |
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Since 1976, the church purchased two lots to accommodate additional parking spaces. In October 1981, the church purchased the property at 2817
High street with the anticipation of building an education building in memorial of the late Deacon R.J. Carnell who had donated his property to the church in 1962.
In November, 1992, the church purchased
property at 2815 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with the intent to expand the facilities. To further solidify the Church a new constitution was instituted on January 15, 1994.
In November, 1996, the
church purchased the First Baptist Geyer Springs facility on Geyer Springs Road. With the purchase of this facility, Greater Second Baptist now has the largest
predominately black Church campus in the State of
Arkansas |
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