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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. 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 .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 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. 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. 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 predominantly black Church campus in the
State of Arkansas
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