A Church Pursuing Excellence

From 1918 to Today

The Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church of Louisville, Kentucky was organized by Rev. E. L. Johnson in 1918 at 14th and Madison Streets. Rev. Johnson provided leadership for the church for two years until his death.

In 1920, Rev. J. S. Helm succeeded Rev. Johnson as pastor. He led the congregation for eleven years. His pastorate ended when he was called to pastor another church located in Griffytown, Kentucky.

In June 1932, Rev. Helm's assistant in the ministry, Rev. M. C. Ridley, was extended a unanimous invitation to pastor the Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church. At that time, the church had 17 members and possessed 28 chairs, 1 coal stove, and a box for an altar. Shortly afterwards, 10 of the 17 members left, leaving only 7 members to carry on.

Later, the church moved to 9th and Wood Alley. A great revival was held by the pastor and church. From the revival, the church began to rapidly grow in membership, forcing the securing of a larger building for worship. A move to 927 W. Madison Street was made to meet the needs of the growing congregation, and this move resulted in financial strain for the pastor and church members. Despite the presented challenges, the pastor and members continued to trust God and reaped the continued blessings of the Lord.

In 1939, Rev. L. E. Hudson and his family united with Corinthian. Rev. Hudson was immediately appointed as assistant pastor and advisor to Rev. Ridley. He was also appointed as head of the education department. Additionally, he started the first choir, then known as the Junior Choir.

Under the leadership of Rev. M. C. Ridley, the church continued to grow and prosper. After ten years, the church was again compelled to seek a larger place of worship. In March of 1943, Corinthian purchased property at 516-518 S. 10th Street and in 1951, an educational building was added.

As in the past, this place of worship could no longer accommodate the congregation which had experienced a substantial increase. For this reason, in 1956, the church decided to construct a new building. The new building, designed and built by Rev. H. H. Madison, a master church builder, was completed that same year and it seated approximately 600 people. During the construction period, worship services were held at the Baptist Fellowship Center located at 1107 W. Chestnut Street.

In August 1956, shortly after moving into the new building, Rev. Ridley passed after 24 years of service. At the time of his death, there were approximately 900 members. On May 30, 1957, a monument was erected at Louisville Cemetery in memory of Rev. Ridley.

On May 11, 1957, Rev. G. T. Allen was extended, and accepted, an invitation to become pastor of Corinthian. He led the congregation for almost seven years. The church sponsored a weekly Sunday morning radio spot on radio station WLOU featuring Rev. Allen and other members. Additionally, the music department, consisting of all adult choir members, presented the first church concert.

Urban Renewal forced the church to sell the property on 10th Street. Under Rev. Allen's leadership, the church purchased the present property at 1916, 1918, and 1920 W. Jefferson Street, formerly St. Luke Evangelical Church. The property included a parsonage and gymnasium/recreational center.

On April 12, 1964, the first worship service was held in the new building. The morning service began with a procession of the membership. The church choir was dressed in black robes and white stoles.

In June 1964, Rev. Allen stepped down as pastor of Corinthian, and the church extended an invitation to Rev. A. D. Jones. In the fall of 1964, Rev. Jones accepted God's call to become pastor. He served six years before resigning. He later accepted pastoral leadership of a local church in the city.

Rev. Joe Worthington and Rev. T. J. Horton, assistant pastor at the time, served as interim ministers. Additionally, Rev. L. E. Hudson maintained membership at Corinthian and continued to provide leadership for the church while pastoring at the House of Prayer Baptist Church.

The Deacon Board, under the leadership of Brother R. L. Holmes Sr., continued to search for a pastor. After a year, the Board extended a second invitation to Rev. A. D. Jones to pastor the church. On May 10, 1971, Rev. Jones announced his acceptance of the invitation and returned as pastor. The spiritual growth that followed was immeasurable.

With Rev. Jones' leadership, the mortgage was reduced. A new furnace was installed and the parsonage was renovated. The weekly radio program continued. Additionally, the baptismal pool was added to the lower level. The recreational center, under the direction of Rev. L. E. Hudson, provided a place for activities of the church.

The church sponsored a basketball team composed of members of the church and the community. Some of these players eventually became deacons, trustees, and ministers of the church. A new stove was purchased for the kitchen, the dining area was carpeted, and a new PA system, two pianos, two organs, and a set of drums were purchased for the sanctuary. Rev. Jones was a staunch believer in youth development and under his direction, the Junior Usher and Junior Deacon Boards were reestablished.

Rev. Jones was considered one of the great gospel singers of the city. Some of his favorite songs, “I Will Trust in the Lord,” “Peace in the Valley,” “Jesus Loves Me,” “Someone to Care,” and “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” were released on a 45 RPM record with the Corinthian Mass Choir singing background. In 1977, Rev. Jones and the Corinthian Mass Choir released an album entitled “Songs You Remember.” A second 45 RPM, on the Grace label, was released entitled “Use Me Lord in Thy Service” and “God's Amazing Grace.”

Although famous for his singing, Rev. Jones was also known for his sermons. He released a sermon on a 45 RPM entitled, “Think on These Things.” He also emphasized teaching; thus Sunday School and Baptist Training Union flourished under his leadership.

During the tenth year of his pastorate, Rev. Jones departed from the church. This proved to be a challenging period for the congregation, in that attendance declined and financial support decreased. While elected officers sought pastoral leadership, associate ministers Rev. John Woods, Rev. T. J. Horton, and Rev. Larry Houston, along with visiting ministers, led services.

On December 8, 1980, the pulpit was declared vacant and a pulpit committee was selected. The committee and church, through the American Baptist, began seeking a pastor. On August 10, 1981, the church extended an invitation to Rev. W. B. Rutland. On August 13, 1981, he accepted and became pastor of Corinthian. Rev. Rutland was installed on October 25, 1981.

On April 25, 1982, the property at 1916, 1918, and 1920 W. Jefferson was paid off. The mortgage was burned during a Mortgage Burning Service held at the church. Under the leadership of Rev. Rutland, a new roof was installed on the church, the interior was painted, and ceiling fans were added.

In 1985, Rev. Rutland resigned as pastor. This resulted in the church being led again by associate ministers. Rev. Horton continued to serve as assistant pastor, but he was limited due to health reasons. Furthermore, attendance and support for the church continued in a slight decline.

In September 1985, God revealed there was one amongst the membership who would serve the church well. At the fourth quarterly church meeting, by unanimous vote, the church extended an invitation to Rev. Larry Houston to become pastor.

Rev. Houston had a long history with Corinthian. He was baptized at the church, he was an advisor to the Youth Choir, a Junior Deacon, and a player on, and later a coach of, the church basketball team. He served on the Trustee Board when he was called to the ministry.

On Sunday, March 24, 1985, Rev. Houston was installed as pastor of Corinthian. On September 13, 1986, he was honored in a program sponsored by the Pastor's Aid Society, which introduced him to the Christian community.

In 1987, the Corinthian assembly formed a non-profit corporation, Corinthian Development Corporation, comprised of eleven members of the church. Later, the property located at 1921 W. Jefferson Street, formerly Good Shepherd Baptist Church, was purchased by the church and named Corinthian Christian Life Center.

On February 1, 2004, an Open House was held in celebration of the center. Thirteen years later, in September 2017, the life center was renamed the Doyle Jones Community Center after longtime church member Doyle Jones, Sr.

On May 31, 2025, after 40 years of service, Pastor Larry Houston retired.

On June 1, 2025, Rev. DeJuan Parks was elected as the Interim Pastor.

On April 30, 2026, Rev. DeJuan Parks' interim pastorship ended.

On May 1, 2026, Rev. Tony Ford was elected as Pastor.