Dr Clayton (Cal) Lord Jr.
Pastor
Dr Cal Lord began his ministry at Central Baptist Church in March 2011. He is available by appointment by calling the church office. ​
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Dr. Lord grew up in Colchester, Connecticut and graduated from UCONN with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts Degree in Sociology and a minor in Human Development and Family Relations. He went on to receive his Master of Divinity Degree from Andover Newton Theological School in 1984 and went back to Andover Newton and received his Doctor of Ministry in 1996.
Dr Lord was called to serve the Cross Mills Baptist Church in Charlestown, Rhode Island in September 1983 and served there for two years. In 1985 he was ordained by the First Baptist Church of Lebanon, Connecticut and shortly afterwards he was called to serve as the Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Norwich, Connecticut. In October of 2008 he became the longest standing pastor of that church. He concluded his service in Norwich in 2011 after nearly 26 years.
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His resume includes service as both the President of the American Baptist Churches He served a of Connecticut. (2006-2007), and the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island (2023-25). He served as Connecticut State Senator to the National Minister's Council and as President of both the Norwich (1997-98) and Westerly (2012-14) Rotary Clubs. In 2003 his "Pastoral Epistles" became a regular feature in the Norwich Bulletin right up until the fall of 2023. His column has appeared on the editorial page in the Westerly Sun every Saturday since 2015. In 2007 he published his second book, a collection of sermons entitled, God is Rock Solid, through CSS Publishing.
Pastor Cal began his service with us on Monday, March 7, 2011. Since his arrival in Westerly, He has gotten involved and has become an active member in the community. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Jonnycake Center in town, a chaplain for the Stonington Police Department, the Watch Hill and Westerly Fire Departments. He is a member of the Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce, and Past President of the Clergy Association. He has also served as co-chair of the Community Easter Sunrise Service and the Annual First Responders Recognition Celebration.
We have enjoyed outdoor worship services, mini dramas in worship, a major classic car show, short term mission trips. and a renewed sense of community. We are delighted to have him serving with us. Come visit us any Sunday and meet him and you will see why.
At the present time Pastor Cal lives in Westerly. He and his wife, Lori, have been married forty plus years and have three lovely daughters, Rebecca (Erick), Sarah (Chris) and Rachel (Dillon) and three grandchildren.
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Pastor Cal is the eighth pastor of the Central Baptist Church.
Dr. Alfred Murray - 1946-1950
Dr. John Elliot - 1950-1956
Rev. Frederick Gardner - 1956-1971
Dr. Lloyd Frederick - 1972-1986
Rev. Wesley Smith - 1988-1995
Rev. Peter Wood - 1996-2007
Rev. Ronald Short - 2007-2009
Dr. Cal Lord - 2011- Present
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