--Let's go back 90 years.. only a few of our elders can remember back that far.
1916 DOWNTOWN KINGSPORT--MAIN & SHELBY STREETS--J.FRED JOHNSON STORE ON LEFT, STRAND THEATER ON RIGHT
**In 1919, the Federal Dyestuff and Chemical Corporation on the site of what is now Riverview, went bankrupt. It later became the Union Dye and Chemical Company, which went bankrupt in 1920.
**There was no Tennessee Eastman, now Eastman Chemical Company yet. That company didn't come along until 1920.
**There was no Kingsport Press yet. That company started in 1921.
Only the Kingsport Pulp Mill (later Mead) and the Clinchfield Portland Cement Company (later Penn-Dixie Cement) were the largest companies in Kingsport, fueled by the Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railroad (later the Clinchfield, now the C-S-X). The city itself was only a year old in 1918.
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But in the year 1918 on May 27th, the Lord touched the hearts of a group of black citizens in the Sullivan-Dale-Maple-East Walnut Street area, and together they formed the Central Baptist Church. The church met in two separate locations, before eventually locating in the new "Riverview" neighborhood in 1941 on Carver Street in Riverview.
90 years later on May 25, 2008, two days shy of the actual date, Central Baptist commemorated a wealth of heritage as Kingsport's first African-American church.
The theme of the event was "The Past Meets The Present."
At the 11 A-M service, which was packed with visitors and Central members, Linda Kincaid presented a video presentation, showing the history of the church (only 10 pastors have guided the congregation--a milestone among other churches almost a hundred years old). Sister Kathy Evans gave words of welcome, followed by a selection from the Central Baptist Praise Dancers, and Sister Ollie Perry gave the Offertory Prayer.
Then, a special trip down the church Memory Lane, as Sister Earnestine White and Brother Van Dobbins, Jr. gave tributes and recollections of various memorable people in the church.
Sister Linda Kincaid presented a moving video tribute to the church's history, spotlighting people, places and events that moved the church forward through the years.
Special notice was paid to Reverend William H. Stokely, who moved the church through many years of trials and tribulations--the "big boom era" of the 1940's, 50's and 60's, the Civil Rights movement, and the iniative of giving Riverview's children more religious training, a huge undertaking. "Reverend Stokely always placed the good of the people above anything else," remembers Van Dobbins, Jr. "He was always there most of the time for the congregation, and many of his programs are still in place today. He has never gotten the recognition he deserved."
After the Spoken Word and prayer from Minister Joseph Powell, Deacon Paul Montgomery introducted the special speaker for the service.
Spruell Driver, Jr., Esq. gave a most inspirational talk, as the guest speaker for the morning service. Mr. Driver first came to Kingsport as a U-T co-op student working at Eastman Chemical, and when he sought a church home, he chose Central. He's now an associate with the Waller Landsden Law Firm in Nashville, specializing in commercial real estate transactions and secured loan transactions involving banks.
Below are excerpts from his speech.
"As a people, we must have perserverance," he told the congregation, noting a scripture verse. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith," he said, "who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning it's shame and sat down at the Right Hand of the Throne of God."
Mr. Driver also mentioned perserverance by the late Wilma Rudolph, who attended one of Douglass High School's last athletic banquets in 1964. "Central Baptist Church, just as Ms. Rudolph's great relay team from 1960, had some great forerunners, looking down on us today, imploring us to run the Christian race with perserverance."
"A great legacy has been handed down to us over the decades from Reverend W. E. Blake and Sister Leola Richardson," Mr. Driver told the group. "For me, whenever I am down, I am encouraged by the reminder given to me by Papa Sneed (Horace Sneed, Sr.) from 1 Peter 2:9--"You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God that you may declare the praises of Him, Who called you out of darkness into His Wonderful Light."
"Whenever I am disappointed," Mr. Driver relayed, "I am encouraged by the song given to me by Deacon Wyman Johnson: This joy that I have, the world didn't give it to me! The world didn't give it, and the world can't take it away!"
"Whenever I am tired, I am given the inspiration of second wind just by recalling the perseverence of Reverend William H. Stokely, " he said. "I first saw him in the 36th year of his pastorate, and I shall never forget how he continued to run the Christian race with perseverence. For he did not grow weary and did not lose heart!"
"When Spruell first came here as a college student," remembers Lina Bradley, "he was a long way from home, and didn't know anybody. Imagine being 19 or 20 years old, coming to a strange, faraway place, and not knowing a soul. But once Spruell found Central, the folks greeted him, nurtured him, counseled him, and accepted him as one of the church family."
Minister James Snapp gave the Invitation to Discipleship, followed by the benediction to a wonderful look back at Central's history.. a fine prelude to the afternoon's activities coming up.
After the 11 A-M service, parishioners and visitors went to the Fellowship Hall, where, like in the old days, they were treated to dinner. "It reminded everybody of the times when we used to have dinners outside on the lawn for special events," says Van.
DETAILS OF THE 4 PM SERVICE ARE IN THE NEXT STORY---SPECIAL THANKS TO ANDRA WATTERSON, LINA BRADLEY AND VIRGINIA HANKINS FOR THEIR HELP WITH PHOTOS FROM THE CENTRAL CELEBRATION!
