Christ Temple Baptist Church (About Us)

Vision Statement | Mission Statement | History of the Church

VISION STATEMENT
“A transformed people transforming mankind; determined to live for Christ and committed to live with Him”

MISSION STATEMENT
It is the mission of the Christ Temple Baptist Church to communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ to all of humanity and to practice faith in God through His Son, Jesus Christ. The life of this gospel and faith should be illuminated through the daily living of its members, and in the witness to others.

It is our mission to allow this profession to be seen in the larger community through outreach ministries which will allow this church to provide that which will strengthen the community by providing assistance to the needy and homeless. We also strive to assist children with personal development of character, academic skills and social interaction.

We believe it is the mandate of the Holy Scriptures to care for the whole man.

Matthew 28:19 (top of page)

HISTORY of THE CHURCH

The Christ Temple Baptist Church began as a storefront mission in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty. The mission was located at 7 Washington Street in the city of Paterson, New Jersey.

The Rev. Freddie Roberson, after being contacted by Mother Lucy Watkins, accepted the request to assist with the development of this new ministry. After accomplishing the necessary tasks to develop a ministry, Rev. Freddie Roberson preached his first sermon in the storefront mission on December 30, 1950. Charter members of this ministry were: Mrs. Ada Mackey, adult; and Mattie Watkins (Way), Ruth Booker (Brown), Mary Booker (Deshazor), Mozell Reed, Lula Reed (Elam) and Paul Watkins, all children.

The Rev. Freddie Roberson, with the Lord's guidance, called a meeting on March 3, 1951 to officially organize a church. The Rev. T.H. Alexander, pastor of the Union Baptist Church, Passaic, moderated the meeting. During that meeting, the mission was officially named Christ Temple Baptist Church. Those in attendance unanimously consented to name Rev. Freddie Roberson as their pastor. Christ Temple received its Certificate of Incorporation and Charter on March 30, 1951 and the Charter was filed in the Paterson City Clerk's office on April 2, 1951. Rev. T.H. Alexander continued to assist Christ Temple in performing sacerdotal functions until Rev. Roberson was ordained.

Rev. Freddie Roberson and his devoted wife, Mrs. Bessie Roberson was extraordinarily led by God to minister in the Paterson community producing a great expansion of Christ Temple's membership. Within a short period of time Christ Temple relocated to 96 Water Street. During its stay on Water Street, the church organized its first Deacon and Deaconess Boards, Trustee Board, Missionary Circle, Senior and Junior Choirs, Junior and Senior Usher Boards, Men's Club, Pastor's Aid, Florist Club, Helping Hand Club, the Sunday School and the B.T.U. (Baptist Training Union). The congregation continued to increase rapidly, prompting yet another move on October 21, 1962 to 52-54 North First Street in Paterson. While at this location, the pastor and congregation initiated plans to enlarge the sanctuary, develop off-street parking, install air conditioning and introduce other conveniences.

After approximately twenty (20) years of worshiping at the North First Street location, Christ Temple, once again, found its facilities lacking in the space needed to accomplish church activities. This need was addressed by the marching into its current home at 36-38 Hopper Street on September 22, 1974. This building offered a beautiful edifice with an accommodationg sanctuary, a parsonage and facilities for an active congregation. By the grace of God and the dedicated efforts of the pastor, boards and congregation, the mortgage on this building was burned ten (10) years later in 1984. Having faithfully served the Christ Temple Baptist Church for over thirty-seven (37) years, the Rev. Freddie Roberson was called from labor to reward on February 6, 1988, leaving the church without a pastor for the first time in its existence. Following a period of mourning, the church moved at a rapid pace to acquire a shepherd for its flock.

It was evident the God's divine providence was at work throughout the life of Christ Temple Baptist Church. As the congregation marched into its current location on September 22, 1974 in Paterson, New Jersey, Gregory Carlton Turner was preaching his initial sermon in Baltimore, Maryland at the tender age of seventeen (17). God was already preparing a young servant to continue the rich heritage of Christ Temple.

The Rev. Dr. Gregory C. Turner was extended the invitation to preach his first sermon and conduct his first Lord's Supper in Christ Temple on Sunday, October 2, 1988. At the request of the congregation, Dr. Turner served them on two occasions. By a majority vote, the congregation voted to extend to Dr. Turner the call to pastor the Christ Temple Baptist Church in March 1989. Dr. Turner conducted his first service as Pastor-Elect on Easter Sunday, March 26, 1089 and was officially installed as Pastor on May 21, 1989.

In July, 1989, the first ministry for Senior Citizens was established; in August, 1989, the Youth Transformation Ministry was founded and in September, 1989, the Paterson Uplift Project and the Media Ministry were conceived. The church, through its spiritual leadership, has inoorporated numerous other ministries to expand its service and care to its members and the community such as, a Thanksgiving Outreach program to need families, a Social Services ministry, a Community Recognition and Awards Dinner, expanded Bible Studies, a Mid-Week Worship experience, Nursing Home evangelism, and a Prayer Band. Additionally, in 1993, the church licensed its first female preacher and elected its first female Trustees in 2000. The church has undergone a major renovation to its lower sanctuary to adjust to expand ministries and services.

The light must continue to shine. We are grateful to have experienced the exceptional, tender and gracious leadership of the Rev. Freddie Roberson and are thankful for the efficient and compassionate leadership of the Rev. Dr. Gregory C. Turner and his committed wife, Mrs. Denyse H. Turner, who will ensure that a new generation will catch the gleam, keep the torch burning and march on to gain the victory. The charge we have to keep, as we move further into the 21st century, is the perpetuation of our rich heritage.