With over 50 years of experience in the church or in corporate organizations to using their gifts and talents to fulfill the ultimate purpose of the Church.
Our Philosophy
Serving with a degree of divinely ordained excellence, where Christ is first and His church is a close second!
We have ministries that offer various services to disciples and the general community. While this is great news, it is important to remember that planning, organizing and monitoring the various services, activities and events require the steadfast dedication of several individuals who work day and night to keep things running smoothly. Most people only know about and see the end products, such as the weekly worship services, annual revivals, the church summit, and the Church Anniversary. What they don’t see are the people behind the scenes, the team members who are responsible for the daily operations of the church. Indeed, they are true leaders. Without them, Central would not be the awesome church that it is.
Our Senior Pastor
Faithfully serving out of a deep love of Christ and fierce commitment to effective ministry.
Reverend Anthony L. Riley, M.Div.
Senior Pastor
Rev. Anthony L. Riley, is the newly elected Senior Pastor of the Central Baptist Church of Saint Louis. He serves as the 14th pastor of this vibrant and engaged faith community, established in 1846. Central is Making Disciples…Transforming Lives!
Reverend Anthony L. Riley
Senior Pastor
Prior to coming to Central Rev. Riley served as the Executive Pastor (and Minister of Congregational Care) at The Luke Church in Humble, Texas, (the greater Houston area) where the Rev. Dr. Timothy W. Sloan is Senior Pastor. Rev. Riley gave leadership to the ministers’ and diaconate teams as well as the ministry leaders’ council, provided pastoral care and counseling for their 5,000+ member congregation, served as the liaison to the Senior Pastor and developed strategic initiatives. During his tenure at The Luke Church Rev. Riley revamped and cast The Luke Cares campaign, trained 7 licentiates and catechized 4 ministers and 42 deacons for ordination, established a premier marital and pre-marital counseling curriculum, given Executive oversight to the staff, financial, human resource and operations departments of the church, just to name a few projects
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In 2001, at the age of 15, Rev. Riley accepted the call to ministry at the Calvary Baptist Church of Morristown, New Jersey under the guidance of Reverend Jerry M. Carter Jr., Ph.D., Senior Pastor. Today, he serves as the Conference Director for Dr. Carter’s How Shall They Hear Preaching Conference, a premier intimate space for proclaimers to work on their craft. Visit www.howshalltheyhear.net
to register. Rev. Riley regularly facilities at the Issachar Church Growth and Development Conference for Ralph Douglas West Ministries and sits on the Executive Steering Committee for the African American Preaching Conference at Baylor’s Truett Seminary. Rev. Riley has been blessed with opportunities to preach and study across the Northeast, as well as abroad.
Rev. Riley, a native of Morristown, New Jersey was formally educated in the public schools of Morris School District in Morristown, New Jersey and matriculated from the Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut and the Master of Divinity degree from the Princeton Theological Seminary. He is pursuing the Doctorate of Ministry degree in Leadership and Preaching at Virginia Union University’s School of Theology in order to pursue the best practices for holistically developing the next generation of minsters who form our communities of faith.
Rev. Riley is the author of In the Shadow of Grief: 21 Days of Discovering God’s Presence in Life’s Valleys. This timely devotional brings together the best of relevant Scripture readings, short devotionals, brief bible studies, hopeful affirmations, and leadership principles to create a transformative daily encounter with the Word of God. This book is designed to push the reader to wrestle with God, ask tough questions and position one to hear from God. At the end of the process, s/he leaves with a clearer understanding of who God is, answers questions about grief, and has a deeper awareness of the benefit of emotional health on leadership, from the home to the boardroom. It is available online at Amazon, Kindle and Barnes and Nobles.
Rev. Riley is the proud father one child, Joshua Anthony.
Our Ministry Staff
A committed team with a passion for ministry.
Marjorie Price Patton, BA, MS, MA
Music Administrator
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Marjorie Patton is a lifelong member of Central Baptist Church. She attended the St. Louis Public Schools and attended Maryville University in St. Louis, MO, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with an emphasis in Music. She earned a Masters of Science in Computer Education from Fontbonne University, St. Louis, MO, and completed a Masters of Arts in Education Leadership Administration from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN. She studied classical piano at Maryville University under the tutelage and private instruction of Ms. Georgegeffe.
Marjorie Price Patton
Music Administrator
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Marjorie Patton is a lifelong member of Central Baptist Church. She attended the St. Louis Public Schools and attended Maryville University in St. Louis, MO, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with an emphasis in Music. She earned a Masters of Science in Computer Education from Fontbonne University, St. Louis, MO, and is presently working on a Masters of Arts in Education Leadership Administration from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN. She studied classical piano at Maryville University under the tutelage and private instruction of Ms. Georgegeffe.
She has a teaching certificate from the state of Missouri in Vocal Music and Elementary Education and has been a teacher with the St. Louis Public Schools for 30 years, teaching vocal music for 27 years and computer literacy for 3 years.
Organ lessons began at the age of 10 at the Baldwin Organ Company. She completed classical organ training at the J. Roy Terry School of Music. Professor Terry agreed to become her personal organ instructor, teaching pieces such as the Bach's Preludes and Fugues for Organ.
Central Baptist Church has always encouraged and embraced her musical abilities. She was a member of the Trebelette and Youth Choirs while in elementary school. At the age of 12, Marjorie was allowed to play the pipe organ at the church and during her high school years became the pianist for the Youth Choir. Later she became the assistant organist to Mrs. Mildred T. Bailey, Minister of Music, and upon her retiring, Marjorie became the church organist and later the Minister of Music during the pastorate of Reverend Ronald B. Packnett. Under Reverend Dr. Robert C. Scott, she assumed the position of Music Administrator and collaborates with Dr. Erral Wayne Evans, who is now the Minister of Music. She has humbly served the Music Ministry of Central for over 35 years.
Beyond the music offerings at Central she has taught Sunday School and served as the Director of Vacation Bible School for many years.
Ms. Patton is a member of the Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., member of the Order of Eastern Star, Prince Hall affiliation, where she was a Past Worthy Matron and served as the Grand Musician. She is also a member of Alpha Nu Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa Sorority for teachers.
Ms. Patton has one son, Reginald Irwin Patton, Jr. of St. Louis, MO. Her parents are Deacon Major C. and Deaconess Mattie R. Price and the late Elaine Julia Dunlap Price.
Varon Johnson
A/V & Media Team Leader
Varon Johnson has been coming to Central for over 30 years, but he has been an active disciple for the past 10 years. He has experienced tremendous spiritual growth since being here.
Varon Johnson
A/V & Media Chairperson
Varen Johnson has been coming to Central for over 30 years, but he has been an active disciple for the past 10 years. His parents (Deacons James & Ollie Johnson) have been here for 30 plus years. Mr. Johnson felt that he wasn't growing spiritually at his last Church, so when he heard Pastor Scott preach and teach, he and his wife decided what a better place to worship. He is so glad that they made the decision to come to Central. He has experienced tremendous spiritual growth since being here.
He has been Married to Patricia Johnson for 29 years, they have four beautiful children Varon Jr., Ebonie, Erika and Evan and two beautiful granddaughters, Amiyah and Kaydence. "I thank God for my family every day." ~ Varon Johnson
Where do I serve at Central? "I currently serve as Chairperson of the media ministry, and recently joined the Pastor's Aide committee. I've worked in the audio/visual field for over 30 years, starting with my father in law Jim Collier in which was Collier Video Productions, Audio/Video is truly my passion along with first serving God and his people."
How and why I serve in ministry? "I find joy in serving God and his people. I can't give enough for all the good God has done for my family and myself. God gave his only begotten son for our sins, so who are we not to serve and serve with a 5 star mentality."
Favorite Scripture: John 3:16, NIV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Our Associate Ministers
Those who answered the call to serve and work out that ministry assignment at Central.
Reverend Dr. Alice C. Price
Reverend Tracey Mack
Intercessory Prayer Coordinator
Reverend Tracy Watkins
Youth Ministry Leader
Intercessory Prayer Coordinator
Ministry Liazon
How to Contact Us
Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM