About Us
Watermark Bible Church is a warm and welcoming community of believers located in the heart of Portsmouth, Virginia.
Our mission is simple - to share the love of Jesus and make a positive impact on the lives of those around us. We believe in the power of faith and community, and we strive to create a place where everyone feels loved, accepted, and supported.
Our Story
We’re proud of the rich heritage and impact of Central Baptist Church. The commitment to discipling families, world-wide missions, and fidelity to the Word of God are some of the hallmarks of our legacy. In order to build upon the strongest parts of our foundation we determined a name change would be helpful. We’re excited about our new name, Watermark Bible Church. We’re even more excited about our continued mission to share Jesus and impact people. Whether Central or Watermark the name that matters most is and always has been the matchless name of Jesus.
Central Baptist Church was charted in 1957 by Dr. U.G. Robertson. The first service was held on July 28, 1957, under a tent on Gillis Road in the Craddock neighborhood of Portsmouth, VA. The little church under the tent grew and moved to 1500 Elm Avenue before its first anniversary.
In 1964, Central purchased 6.5 acres on 1200 Hodges Ferry Road in Portsmouth, VA where the church still resides today. In March of 2025, we felt that a name change would be helpful to continue our legacy of impact in Hampton Roads. The name was changed to Watermark Bible Church.
Watermark continues to minister to the Portsmouth community from the Hodges Ferry location with worship gatherings, small groups, children's and student ministries. The church's missions emphasis supports missionaries around the world and local missions programs in the U.S.
Central Baptist Church was charted in 1957 by Dr. U.G. Robertson. The first service was held on July 28, 1957, under a tent on Gillis Road in the Craddock neighborhood of Portsmouth, VA. The little church under the tent grew and moved to 1500 Elm Avenue before its first anniversary.
In 1964, Central purchased 6.5 acres on 1200 Hodges Ferry Road in Portsmouth, VA where the church still resides today. In March of 2025, we felt that a name change would be helpful to continue our legacy of impact in Hampton Roads. The name was changed to Watermark Bible Church.
Watermark continues to minister to the Portsmouth community from the Hodges Ferry location with worship gatherings, small groups, children's and student ministries. The church's missions emphasis supports missionaries around the world and local missions programs in the U.S.
Why Watermark?
When choosing the name Watermark we had three goals in mind. That our name would be unique, be descriptive of our community of Hampton Roads, and that it would tell our story. The purpose of a watermark is to point to it’s creator. That’s what we are about, pointing people to Jesus.
Authenticity
Higher denominations of currency are watermarked to prove they are genuine. In the same way, we want to be people whose lives and relationships are marked by authenticity, sincerity, and truth.
"But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." 1 Timothy 1:5
Excellence
Fine paper often features a watermark as evidence of its quality. We strive for excellence, without compromise, in all areas of our ministry and lives, believing that excellence honors God and inspires people.
"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men." Colossians 3:23
Impact
The continual presence of water at a certain level leaves a mark long after it is gone. It is our hope, because we have lived faithfully as God's people, that long after we have gone we would make an impact for His Kingdom that would be seen for generations to come.
"You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men." 2 Corinthians 3:2
Biblical
We base our faith and our lives on the authority of the Bible. God’s objective truth provides personal and spiritual stability. The Bible properly identifies the needs of every human-heart and offers the life-transformative solution. Therefore, we place the Bible above every man-made creed, human idea, or created philosophy.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Our Beliefs
We invite you to explore our beliefs and join us in our pursuit of living out our faith in boldness and passion.
About God
We believe there is one, and only one, true and living God. While the Godhead is indivisible, He exists in three separate persons--God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. These three persons make up what we call the Trinity. Each person of the Trinity is equal in divine attributes and executes distinct, but harmonious, offices in the work of creation and redemption.
About Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal, only begotten Son of God; was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary as no other man was ever nor can ever be born of a woman. He is "God manifest in the flesh." He lived an absolutely sinless life, and in His death, He made a full and vicarious atonement for our sins, dying voluntarily in our place. Three days after He died, He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven where He now sits at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest, interceding and preparing a place for us. We believe that at any moment, He will appear in the air to rapture His saints, and after seven years, will come again with the saints to set up the throne of David and establish His millennial kingdom.
About The Church
We believe the local church is a congregation of baptized believers; associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel. The church observes two ordinances give by Christ; baptism and communion. We believe the Church is called to worship, disciple, fellowship, edify, evangelize and bring others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
About Creation
We believe the Genesis account of creation is to be taken literally. God created the world in six literal days and he rested on the seventh day. We believe man was created in God's image; not as a result of evolutionary change.
About Salvation
We believe Jesus Christ died for the whole world and through the Holy Spirit's drawing man to Christ, anyone can come to know Jesus as Savior by trusting in His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation has nothing to do with being a good person. Rather, it is received only by faith in Christ and is seen as a change in one's life. Everyone who accepts Christ as Savior is guaranteed new life and an eternity in Heaven with Him.
Important Symbols
We believe the church is to observe specific ordinances that were commanded to us by Jesus Christ in His Word. We observe the Lord's Supper on a regular basis in remembrance of the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples before His death. We also believe every believer should be baptized by immersion, following the method John the Baptist and Jesus baptized in the New Testament.
If you desire a more in depth understanding of what we believe, click here.