The Centennial M.B Church was organized in the fall of 1942 in a storefront building located at 4250 S. Evans Street. This building was owned by the family of the late Lorraine Hansberry, who was the author of the bestseller “A Raisin in the Sun”. Reverend Albert Dew organized the church with the assistance of the late Rev. Joseph Wells, former pastor of Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago, Illinois.

The name “Centennial” derived from a church in Mississippi that was pastured by a long time friend of Rev. Albert Dew. Centennial M. B. Church’s journey began with sixteen adults and about eighteen young adults. Our first Deacon Board was chaired by Deacon Mark Pierce. A Mothers’ Board was formed with Mother Kelly serving as the president; the Choir was organized with Sister Mitchell as directress and Lucinda Blackman as pianist. The Usher Board was organized and Brother McGee served as the first president.

In 1952, because of health reasons, Rev. Albert Dew left Centennial and later relocated to Muncie, Indiana. In September, 1952, the late Rev. Hosie Robinson became pastor of our church. He came to Centennial singing his favorite hymn “When I Can Read My Title Clear To Mansions In the Sky, I’ll Bid Farewell To Every Fear and Wipe My Weeping Eye”. Centennial’s Nurses Board was organized with Irma Patterson as President. Our first Trustee Board was established and, also during this time, the Choir’s membership doubled in size. Centennial opened its doors to many renowned ministers of music, pianists, organists as well as directors, soloists, and singers including: the late Professor Willie J. Webb, the late Professor Robert Anderson, Rev. John Thomas, the late Rev. “Singing” Sammy Lewis, the late Mildred Cole of the Cole Singers, Evangelist Jessie Strong, Cynthia Price, “Queen of Gospel” Albertina Walker, Rebecca Nixon of the famed Argo Singers, Dorothy Norwood of the famed Caravans, and the list goes on.

Centennial had our first radio broadcast with one of the first black disc jockeys; the late Charles L. Cooper on station WSBC with Sister Ozella Ward and Sister Margaret Turner serving as the announcers. During this time Centennial faced may challenges but were comforted by the humble and patient spirit of Pastor Hosie Robinson who has such a comforting smile and mild speaking voice. In the summer of 1954, under the leadership of Pastor Robinson, we moved to a larger, existing building at 824 E. 43rd Street. Sister Allie Mae Scott organized the Junior Usher Board; Sister Magnolia Anderson served as the first president of the Missionary society; The Beautifying Club was organized and Sister Vivian Brown became the first president. Our first Youth Choir was organized by Sister Mildred Cole. Our first percussionist was Brother Michael Mims. In the mid-sixties the Centennial Young Adult Choir opened up the Sunday Morning Broadcast for Radio Station WVON, 1450 on the AM Dial, singing “It’s A Highway To Heaven” with Margaret Turner as announcer. In 1971, Pastor Robinson relocated to Greenville, Mississippi where he became the pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Church serving there faithfully until God called him home.

In September, 1971, the late Rev. Willie L. Hudson was elected pastor of Centennial. One of Pastor Hudson;s inspiring sermons “Dry Bones” (Ezekiel 37:1-4) was instrumental in rejuvenating the idleness of the membership of Centennial at that time. As a result, a Building Fund Club was started and Sister Allie Mae Scott was appointed president. The Willing Workers Club was organized, as well as the Helping Hand Club with Sister Ida Height as president. The Women’s Council was organized with Sister Ann Bolden serving as president. Pastor Hudson had a vision to build a house of worship for the Lord, some said it could not be done, however on Sunday, October 4, 1981, our pastor and congregation marched into our new church edifice singing “Dwell In Me Lord Jesus, Take My Life, Day By Day, Keep Me Walking In The Holy Way.” Pastor Hudson faithfully served this church until 1984.

In 1984 we elected Rev. Leon Richardson as our fourth pastor. Pastor Richardson saw a need for Centennial to begin to focus more on tithing and stewardship as God’s prescription for growing our church. He encouraged the entire membership to begin bringing our Bibles to church as well as reading and studying God’s word in our personal time. Our Motto was: “We Are Not Ashamed Of The Gospel Of Jesus Christ”. Under Pastor Richardson’s leadership, women were placed on the Trustee Board and we purchased our first church van and bus.

In May, 1989, Rev. Gregory Macon became the pastor of Centennial Baptist Church. Pastor Macon established a New Members Orientation Class and a “Missing In Action” Team which would contact members who were not in regular attendance. Under Pastor Macon’s leadership we purchased property east of the church on Drexel Avenue and a Broadcast Club was organized with Sister Ida Height as president.

On July 23, 1994, Rev Derrick J. Hughes was elected pastor of Centennial. Under Pastor Hughes’ leadership we remoleded the sanctuary, the kitchen and the women’s bathroom. For the first time, we reached attendance of 100 members in Sunday School. We had our first Church-wide Retreat, first Women’s Retreat and first Youth Retreat. We had a Rev. Hosie Robinson Institute Week of study. Several new ministries were added to the church: 12 Step, Media, Singles, Married Couples, Single Parenting, Cells, Clothing and Food. On the first Sunday of 2000, Pastor Hughes felt God moving him in another direction and he left Centennial to organize the Grace Community Church.

On Saturday, January 18, 2002, Rev. J. D. Anderson was elected as the seventh pastor of Centennial Missionary Baptist Church. The number “7” biblically represents wholeness and completion. Under the leadership of our illustrious pastor, Centennial added over one hundred members in the first year. We are “on the move”, growing spiritually and numerically. Many new innovative programs have been added to further the growth of this membership including our first certified leadership school offering course #403 Organizing the Church for Christian Education. It is now 2009 and God has blessed Centennial, adding 1000 plus souls.