More than just an idea, in 1946, a few believing neighbors started having a weekly prayer meeting. The meetings were held at different homes each week. With several months of prayer, members of the prayer band decided to organize a church. The founding members were, Reverend Hosea Rancifer, Moderator, Brother Leroy Reeves, Sr., Sister Annie Mae Reeves, Brother Friendly Hollinger, Brother Frank McCrary, Brother Lewis Reid, Sister Cora Rancifer and Sister Sarah Reid. They thanked and praised God for giving them the vision to organize a church.

On October 19, 1946, The Center Hill Mission was born. The members continued to meet in different homes until Division Baptist Church moved into their new church. Division Baptist Church rented their old church building to the Center Hill Mission. Meetings were held there until June 18, 1947. In June of 1947, we bought a military barracks from Camp Wheeler and the building was moved to Marigold Avenue . A lot was purchased from Ms. Annie Hudson. Through prayer and faith, we accomplished yet another mission.

On July 27, 1947, we marched around the church and bowed at the door giving thanks to God for the many blessings he had bestowed upon us. We were no longer a mission. We were now the Center Hill Baptist Church . Brother Leroy Reeves, Sr. suggested the name Center Hill as in his dream; he had seen the church in the “Center of a Hill.”

Reverend Hosea R. Rancifer was the first Pastor of Center Hill Baptist Church. He served from 1946 until his Homegoing in 1989 (43 years). Brother Sandy Miller, Jr. was the first candidate to be baptized.

As our membership grew, we started to organize auxiliaries. Our first auxiliary was the Senior Choir with Sister Annie F. Reeves as musician. Next, the Gospel Choir was formed with Sister Gladys Glover as musician. Deacon Leroy Reeves, Sr. was elected Chairman of the Deacon Board. Our first piano was purchased from Sister Julia Dennard. We continued to grow having meetings on the Second and Fourth Sunday of each month. Through a good Pastor and God ordained leadership, many souls were added to the church.

The singing of hymns and the choir singing could be heard ringing throughout the Unionville Community. In addition, you could hear the ringing sound of the Big Black Iron Bell (Rung by Deacon Reeves) for miles around. Some of the hymns lead by Deacon Reeves, Deacon Cottle, Deacon McCrary, Deacon Lightfoot and others were:

  1. Amazing Grace How Sweet The Sound,
  2. Father I Stretch My Hand To Thee and
  3. That Awful Day Will Surely Come

In 1953, Center Hill Baptist Church joined the National Baptist Convention. Today, we are still a part of this convention as our current pastor attends each year.

Our membership continued to grow and it was necessary to look for a larger lot for a larger building to be built. On April 14, 1964, our dreams through prayer and faith were again answered. We held our groundbreaking ceremony for our new church. On November 11, 1964, we marched from our old church on Marigold Avenue to our new church on Cedar Avenue for our dedicatory services. Oh, how our hearts burned with praise and joy! On June 11, 1978, we had our mortgage burning ceremony “What a Day to Remember.” The Center Hill Congregation continued to grow.

In 1982, a handicap ramp was erected to accommodate members confined to wheelchairs and others who were physically challenged. A church van was purchased. A house and a lot on May Avenue were purchased for additional parking and two monuments were erected at the front of the church.

In 1985, the Homegoing of one of our church founders, Deacon Leroy Reeves, Sr., saddened our hearts. In 1985, Deacon Leroy Reeves, Jr. was called to preach. He was licensed and preached his first sermon on September 11, 1985.

Our hearts were saddened again in 1989 when our Pastor, Reverend H.R. Rancifer, another one of our church founders was called from his labor to reward. The church was left without a pastor for eight months. Different ministers served us until we were able to elect a new pastor.

On August 17, 1989, Reverend Leroy Reeves, Jr. was elected pastor of the Center Hill Baptist Church and was installed on October 15, 1989. Under the effective leadership of Pastor Reeves, we have become a fulltime full service church. Other notable accomplishments are as follows:

Pastor Reeves continued his pastorate by organizing the following ministries and services:

Of all the accomplishments that God has blessed us with, we are most thankful for our Pastor's vision to carry out the REAL work of the church, which is EVANGELISM. The greatest progress made under the leadership of Pastor Reeves has been the high levels of reaching out to the lost. To that end, in 2003 a house was purchased and converted into a full service Outreach Ministry Center where needs are met through providing assistance in the areas of clothing, food, discipleship classes, counseling, referrals and financial help. Thank God!

Gospel sermons, prayers and good teaching continue to reign in Center Hill today. Seven Associate Ministers have been added to our membership:

Reverend E.G. Hale ,
Reverend M.L. Goolsby ,
Reverend Ben Williamson ,
Reverend Robert Simmons ,
Reverend George Respress ,
Reverend Jacoby Hall ,
Reverend Donald Hallman ,
and Reverend W.M. Maynard .

Our church family has grown stronger and closer in Christian love. Our members have answered the call, humbled themselves through prayer and service to make this church and community pleasing in the sight of God. We are truly “Christians winning souls for God” and raising the standards of our church to higher heights.

The Center Hill Missionary Baptist Church continues to strive to be all that God is calling her to be in times like these. As a people of God, we are on the cutting edge of a new ministry serving that same God who led us at inception. A new ministry; one that is a redemptive force in the era of Pastor Reeves and people under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The body of Christ at Center Hill looks forward to our goal, keeping our hands in Gods hands and continuing to grow. To God be the glory!!

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