Historical Highlights

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HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Corinthian Baptist Church, located at the corners of 9th and School Streets in Des Moines, Iowa, is now celebrating its One Hundred-Fourth Anniversary. It has been said that one cannot truly understand him/herself without knowing something of his or her history. This is also true of an organization such as a church. Following is a short summary of Corinthian’s history.

On April 3, 1898, State Missionary, Reverend Samuel Johnson and 21 others desiring to form a church organized the Corinthian Baptist Church. It was first located in a house on the east side and was called the First Baptist Church. Later it was relocated to a house on West 12th Street between Crocker and School Streets.

Rev. Samuel Bates was called to pastor Corinthian on May 18, 1898. The membership had increased to 156. The Twelfth Street location was no longer adequate. Funds were raised, and the debt on the Twelfth Street property was liquidated in three years. Rev. Bates later resigned, and on January 1, 1902, Rev. T. L. Griffith of Christianburg, Virginia, was called to pastor Corinthian. The membership continued to grow, and a property formerly owned by the Unitarian Church at 15th & Linden Streets was purchased. Rev. Griffith resigned to pastor a church in Topeka, Kansas in 1916. The church membership was held together through the efforts of the church choir and its director.

On April 15, 1917, Rev. George W. Robinson, Sr., of Thurber, Texas became the new pastor of Corinthian. Under Rev. Robinson’s leadership the church on 15th & Linden Streets became too small for the growing membership, and the former First Presbyterian Church at the corner of Ninth & School Streets was purchased. The first worship service at this site was held on July 3, 1937. Rev. Robinson served as pastor of Corinthian for 31 years until his death on September 28, 1948.

Corinthian was again without a leader and during the next twenty months the Rev. Albert Fox served as interim pastor.

Pastors who served Corinthian in succeeding years were: Rev. E. Lloyd Jemison of Charlottesville, Virginia (July 24, 1949 - October 1950); Rev. Norman Royal OlPhin of Rahway, New Jersey (May 4, 1951- July of 1967); Rev. Frederick W. Strickland of Van Buren, Arkansas (July 1, 1968 - November ,1990).

Under the pastorage of Rev. Strickland a building program was launched to build a new church on the same site as the 9th and School Street property. A ground-breaking ceremony was held on Sunday, May 30, 1971. On Sunday, March 5, 1972, the new church was completed and the pastor and members marched into the new building for its dedication. The mortgage on the new building was paid off in seven years.

On Sunday, March 5, 1972, Corinthian built a 75 unit apartment building on land purchased from the City of Des Moines at the corner of Tenth Street and University Avenue. This building is called Corinthian Gardens. A ground- breaking ceremony for Corinthian Gardens was held in April of 1988. Rev.Strickland retired in November, 1990 and died in 1991 in Des Moines, Iowa. Prior to Rev. Strickland’s death, Rev. Terrance Shane of Des Moines, Iowa served capably as Interim Pastor of Corinthian.

On December 11, 1991, a call was extended Rev. Charlie L. Stallworth, a divinity student at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, to pastor Corinthian Church. Rev. Stallworth accepted the call and began his pastorate on the fifth Sunday in December, 1991. In the fall of 1993 a much needed building expansion program was launched by the pastor and membership. A Stewardship Campaign program was established and a building expansion plan including ten additional classrooms, and expanded sanctuary, a media center, a fellowship hall/gymnasium, a commercial kitchen, a music rehearsal room, business offices, a chapel, prayer room, lounges and additional space for future expansion was undertaken and completed. This new addition is now called the “Family Life Center” and is in constant use by the community and other churches for citywide and statewide functions.

Rev. Stallworth accepted the call to pastor the Trinity Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama in the fall of 2001. Rev. LaTonya Harrell remained as Staff Minister until Rev. Chaunci Hall assumed that position in January of 2002. The Pulpit Committee is currently conducting a search for a new pastor for Corinthian and hopes to complete the search in the fall of 2002.

Corinthian has indeed come a long way since a handful of women back in 1898 decided that a black Baptist church was needed here in Des Moines, and set out to see that such a church was established. Based upon the faith and perseverance of our founders, and with the help and blessing of God, we will continue to build toward a brighter future for those who will follow us.

The Joint Board of Corinthian has been expanded to include Deacons, Deaconesses and Trustees. A Singles Ministry, Prime Timer’s Group, Congregational Care Ministry, Youth and Children’s Ministry, Associate Minster’s Ministry, Fellowship Ministry, Prayer/Praise/Study Group, Prison Ministry, Boy and Girl Scouts, Tape and Video Ministry, Junior Laymen’s Ministry, Catering Ministry, Bus Ministry, Music Ministry, Ministry of Missions, Cheerleaders, Vacation Bible School, Greeters, Nursing Ministry,as well as regularly functioning boards and auxiliaries make up the increasing outreach and expansion of Corinthian’s witness in the community.

The “Family Life Center” expansion has now been completed as well as the remodeling of the Sanctuary under the guidance of the Building/Growth and Construction Oversight Committees chaired by Sis. Cecilia Johnson and Deacon Karnale Manuel.

God has richly blessed us as we have continued to meet the challenges presented by this huge undertaking. Without the faithfulness and dedication of the membership, and the help of our friends, we could not have achieved this goal. The vision continues, as we continue our increased outreach into the community.