About Us

Central Baptist Church is a warm and welcoming community of believers located in the heart of Portsmouth, Virginia.


Our mission is simple - to share the love of Jesus and make a positive impact on the lives of those around us. We believe in the power of faith and community, and we strive to create a place where everyone feels loved, accepted, and supported.

Our Story




Central Baptist Church was charted in 1957 by Dr. U.G. Robertson. The first service was held on July 28, 1957, under a tent on Gillis Road in the Craddock neighborhood of Portsmouth, VA. The little church under the tent grew and moved to 1500 Elm Avenue before its first anniversary. The church also began supporting its first missionary in 1958, Rev. Bobby Finch, missionary to Japan.



By its third anniversary, attendance swelled and the need for additional space was clear. In 1964, Central purchased 6.5 acres on 1200 Hodges Ferry Road in Portsmouth, VA where the church still resides today. The first service in the new sanctuary was held in May, 1965.



Central continues to minister to the Portsmouth community from the Hodges Ferry location with worship services, small groups, children's and student ministries. The church's missions emphasis supports missionaries around the world and local missions programs in the U.S.



Central Baptist Church was charted in 1957 by Dr. U.G. Robertson. The first service was held on July 28, 1957, under a tent on Gillis Road in the Craddock neighborhood of Portsmouth, VA. The little church under the tent grew and moved to 1500 Elm Avenue before its first anniversary. The church also began supporting its first missionary in 1958, Rev. Bobby Finch, missionary to Japan.



By its third anniversary, attendance swelled and the need for additional space was clear. In 1964, Central purchased 6.5 acres on 1200 Hodges Ferry Road in Portsmouth, VA where the church still resides today. The first service in the new sanctuary was held in May, 1965.



Central continues to minister to the Portsmouth community from the Hodges Ferry location with worship services, small groups, children's and student ministries. The church's missions emphasis supports missionaries around the world and local missions programs in the U.S.

Our Beliefs

We invite you to explore our beliefs and join us in our pursuit of living out our faith in boldness and passion.

  • About God

    We believe there is one, and only one, true and living God. While the Godhead is indivisible, He exists in three separate persons--God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. These three persons make up what we call the Trinity. Each person of the Trinity is equal in divine attributes and executes distinct, but harmonious, offices in the work of creation and redemption.

  • About Jesus Christ

    We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal, only begotten Son of God; was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary as no other man was ever nor can ever be born of a woman. He is "God manifest in the flesh." He lived an absolutely sinless life, and in His death, He made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins, dying voluntarily in our place. Three days after He died, He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven where He now sits at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest, interceding and preparing a place for us. We believe that at any moment, He will appear in the air to rapture His saints, and after seven years, will come again with the saints to set up the throne of David and establish His millennial kingdom.

  • About The Church

    We believe the local church is a congregation of baptized believers; associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel. The church observes two ordinances give by Christ; baptism and communion. We believe the Church is called to worship, disciple, fellowship, edify, evangelize and bring others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

  • About Creation

    We believe the Genesis account of creation is to be taken literally. God created the world in six literal days and he rested on the seventh day. We believe man was created in God's image; not as a result of evolutionary change.

  • About Salvation

    We believe Jesus Christ died for the whole world and through the Holy Spirit's drawing man to Christ, anyone can come to know Jesus as Savior by trusting in His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation has nothing to do with being a good person. Rather, it is received only by faith in Christ and is seen as a change in one's life. Everyone who accepts Christ as Savior is guaranteed new life and an eternity in Heaven with Him. 

  • Important Symbols

    We believe the church is to observe specific ordinances that were commanded to us by Jesus Christ in His Word. We observe the Lord's Supper on a regular basis in remembrance of the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples before His death. We also believe every believer should be baptized by immersion, following the method John the Baptist and Jesus baptized in the New Testament.

    If you desire a more in depth understanding of what we believe, click here.