Each week Pastor shares his thoughts with a “Word from the Pastor” section in our printed bulletin. We wanted to post them here for you to enjoy as well!
Our Testimony in the Community
What would the average person from Buffalo or West Seneca say if asked, “What do you think of Center Road Baptist Church?” I know many would say, “They helped me when I needed something.” Still others, “The pastor came and led my loved one to Christ in the hospital.” Everywhere I go I run into someone that has enjoyed the impact of this church on themselves or a family member. Just recently, in discussing the history of their family, a person relayed remarkable details of how Pastor Lee led their parents and family members to Christ one by one. But how about today?
Certainly, the personal contact, compassion, love and sharing of the Gospel is preeminent. Doing whatever the Holy Spirit leads us to do within the parameters of our relationships with others is the pinnacle of being a Christian, a literal Ambassador for Christ, doing what Jesus would do if He were in our shoes at that moment. For those of you that radiate the love of Christ and His Truth – Amen! We laud you and thank you, you are not only representatives of Christ but of this church.
On a physical note, I must raise the issue of the asphalt pavement. It is a physical representation of the passersby of our church on a personal level. To be frank, it must be repaired and transformed. We have plans to do it in pieces, as the entire project was quoted $85k last year, and asphalt is 30% higher this year due to oil prices increasing. We have a Pavement Fund and are allocating funds each month in that direction. We operate within conservative financial decisions, and this will not be any different.
I bring this to your attention so, if you feel led to give specifically toward its completion, you may do so by writing “Pavement” in the Special Offering on the Offering Envelope. Thank you for your consideration.
New Year 2022
4 exciting days designed specifically for kids! 6:30 PM from July 10-13 we will have a Bible Safari themed adventure to bring your kids closer to understanding God, the Bible and Salvation!
“Others” is our theme this year. Head over to our Facebook page and hear how Pastor Perrotti makes this theme applicable to our own lives!
Every Tuesday Night we go downtown and meet up with “Hearts for the Homeless” Ministry. We help to hand out food, clothes, needed items, tracts and conversation! Join us at 5:15 PM on the corner of Ellicott St. and Clinton St. to minister to the homeless in Buffalo.
Life Stage Sunday School
For all ages.
Nursery
Birth – 2yrs old.
Teen Group and Class
Ages 12 – 19.
Mens/Ladies Meetings
Casual times of fellowship, breakfast, and practical challenge.
Childrens Ministries
An age approriate children’s program that takes place during our normal church services.
Seniors Fellowships
A casual time of fellowship, singing, fun, and a wonderful meal followed by a practical Biblical challenge.
Prayer Meetings
A casual time of fellowship, singing, fun, and a wonderful meal followed by a practical Biblical challenge.
Visitation
Visiting shut-ins, the sick, and getting the Gospel out in our community.
The Friendliest Church In Town
Center Road Baptist Church is an independent Baptist church founded in August, 1966 by Pastor Barney Lee, with his wife, Lillian, and their three children, Kenny, Patty and Jenny, by his side. Upon graduating from Bible College while still in Michigan, Dr. Lee originally had planned on going to Chicago to start a church, hearing it was a needy area. He believed God closed that door, so, upon hearing Buffalo, NY was also a needy place, he decided to investigate further.
Dr. Lee followed his calling and on July 4th, 1966, the Lee family moved from Pontiac, Michigan to West Seneca, New York. On August 14th, the church began in the Odd Fellows Hall, 104 Aurora Avenue, under the name Buffalo Baptist Temple. Ten months later, the building was greatly damaged by fire caused by a teenage gang and it became necessary to change locations. For over three years, the church met in the Masonic Temple at Main and Mill streets. In 1968, the church purchased 6 6/8 acres of land on Center Road in West Seneca and, as Pastor Lee wanted a name that would identify its location more, changed the name to Center Road Baptist Church.
Many notable miracles took place in establishing the church, building the new building, establishing a school, and overcoming overwhelming opposition from both outside and sadly, inside as well. Dr. Lee recorded many of these precious and powerful incidents in his booklet, Remembering the Miracles. On Palm Sunday, 1971, the church moved into the new building on Center Road. Sunday School classes met on the lower level of the building on a crushed stone floor. The upper level had only a plywood subfloor and the only heating system was an overhead garage-type heater.
By 1973, the average weekly attendance was 325! Nine bus routes had developed, which brought in most of the people. In September of that same year, the Day Care began and in 1974, the Center Road Christian Academy was born. The goals of the ministry were to reach families and provide for their needs. Additionally, the church supported twenty missionaries and six home mission projects!
In 1995, nearly thirty years after starting the church, Pastor Lee became the Pastor Emeritus and Pastor Bill Livermore became the new pastor. His wife is Mrs. Jenny (Lee) Livermore, Pastor Lee’s daughter. He was pastoring a small church in Buffalo, and, when they came to Center Road with their two sons, Bill and Sam, they brought several of the people from that church with them. The Livermore family was at Center Road for twenty years, in which time three other churches were established in: Bradford, PA, Warren, PA, and Salamanca, NY.
The pastor of the Salamanca work – Center Street Baptist Church, was Ed Darling. In 2016 he and his wife Rita assumed the leadership of Center Road once Bro. Livermore resigned and took the pastorate in Warren, PA. In turn, Bro. Darling’s son-in-law assumed the pastorate of Center Street. After two years, Bro. Darling, struggling with health issues, resigned the pastorate and, after the deacons led the church for some time, welcomed Robert Perrotti on as Interim Pastor in October of 2019.
The history of Center Road Baptist is still being written. What Pastor Lee called the “Friendliest Church in Town” has a renewed mission of “Speaking the Truth in Love”! We strive to be and do those things in truth and are always excited for the opportunity of new folks to experience them.
Fulfilling the Great Commission
We have an active missions program where folks give by faith over and above their tithe to support those who have dedicated their lives to serve God in the area of missions. We also have a missions conference each year where we try to give missionaries a platform to present their work and increase their support.
Keep In Touch
Tel.: +1.716.675.6545
412 Center Rd
West Seneca, NY 14224
United States
