Central Baptist Church of Chelmsford dates back to February 14, 1847 when thirty-five men and women from the First Baptist Church of Lowell and The First Baptist Church of South Chelmsford met to establish a house of worship which would be more easily accessible. The church was united as an independent body with the Rev. John Parkhurst "chairman".

Services were held in the upper floor of the old Chelmsford Academy building once known as Chelmsford Classical School where many distinguished men of history attended and where Ralph Waldo Emerson was a teacher. It is the site of the present parsonage.

In 1868, land was secured and the present church building erected at the cost of $11,000. Changes have occurred over the years. In 1912 an Estey organ was installed. On December 14, 1955 the old parsonage was razed and a contract made for a new one. In May, 1954, the beautiful memorial windows at the rear of the sanctuary were dedicated - the center one in loving tribute to the Rev. and Mrs. Charles H. Ellis, pastor from 1897 to 1937. On March 31, 1963 ground breaking ceremonies were held for the construction of the Christian Education Building which houses class rooms, a large multi-purpose hall with a stage, and a well equipped kitchen. The hall is dedicated to the late Dr. Frank Littorin, pastor from 1959 until his passing one month before completion of the hall which bears his name.

In recent years, the church has been re-sided, the parking lot paved, the original floor in Littorin Hall replaced with an attractive hardwood, and the parsonage renovated. As we move into the twenty-first century, we look forward to serving "Christ and Community" for many years to come.

*Information came from the 150th history by Colleen Picard McArdle and Central Baptist Church Highlights