Christ Mission Baptist Church

Tucked away on South Parkway East, Christ Mission Baptist Church has a story as vibrant as the city of Dallas itself. Christ Mission Baptist Church wasn’t always at its current location. Its journey began on Mother’s Day in 1967. The first service echoed within the walls of a Seventh Day Adventist Church. Reverend Currie led the congregation, delivering his inaugural sermon and leading the first communion. Driven by a vision, the members rallied together, raising funds for a permanent home. Soon they found a spacious ten-room house on four acres of land at 1785 South Parkway East. They settled there in October 1967. The following year brought its share of challenges. The church’s growth spurred a desire to secure a permanent location. They tried to float a bond issue to purchase the property at 1785 South Parkway East. Sadly, this attempt faltered. Despite this setback, their faith remained unshaken. Deacon Roosevelt Allen discovered a new possibility at 494 South Parkway East. Reverend Currie and the members eagerly explored the interior. The church moved to 494 South Parkway East on Palm Sunday in 1968. The official opening day celebration took place on Easter Sunday 1968 with Dr. D.E. King as the guest speaker. The purchase price was $115,000. Christ Mission Baptist Church quickly became a hub for worship, fellowship, and community outreach. It lived up to its motto, “The Church Where Everybody is Somebody.” For 27 years, Reverend Currie guided the church. Under his leadership, the congregation grew from 24 members to a thriving community of faith. In 1994, the church faced a profound loss with Reverend Currie’s passing. Reverend Gina M. Stewart was elected as the new pastor in March 1995. This election marked a historic moment. Reverend Stewart became the first black female pastor of an established Black Baptist congregation in Memphis and Shelby County. Under Pastor Stewart’s guidance, Christ Mission Baptist Church continued to flourish. Over 4,000 new members joined, and the church acquired additional properties to accommodate its growth. The church expanded its ministries to address the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of its members. In 1997, the church underwent significant renovations. This included remodeling the sanctuary, restrooms, and church offices and upgrading the HVAC system. The growth necessitated multiple Sunday services, starting with two in 1998, and expanding to three in 2001. In 1998, plans for a $3.5 million expansion project were initiated. This culminated in the grand opening of a new worship center at 480 South Parkway East on June 4, 2006. Christ Mission Baptist Church also extended its reach with a satellite location in Cordova, Tennessee, in 2010. In 2013, the original property at 494 South Parkway East was fully renovated, providing administrative offices, classrooms, meeting rooms, and multipurpose space. The Christ Mission Baptist Church’s journey is a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and community.