Church History
New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church was organized from a Sunday School
which was founded by Rebecca Lyon who held services in her home. As the
number of attendees grew, the late Jerry Walker offered land on which
to build a church. Services were moved to a location under a Brush
Harbor while the church was being constructed. In 1879, Rev. John
Scales organized the first church.
The
first pastor was Rev. C.D. Hackney, who served from 1879 to 1904. Under
his leadership the first deacon board was organized which included:
James Walker, Babe Bumpass, Abner Neal, and Worth King. In addition to
the deacon board, the Sunday School was organized. From 1904 to 1927,
under the second pastor's, Rev. L.H. Hackney's, administration the
first choir director, W.C. Laster, and muscians, Annie Bell Jones and
Rosetta B. Webb were appointed and the Missionary Circle was formed.
During the latter years of Rev. Hackney's administration, the church's
growth was threatened by the presence of a lumberyard. In an effort to
avoid stunting the growth of the church, land was purchased from J.K.
Mason on Crest Street where the present building remains today. The
third pastor, Rev. P.E. Green served from 1927-1930, changing worship
service from once a month to every Sunday and implementing the Senior
choir and Senior ushers. The fourth pastor, REV. J.F. Walker
(1930-1934) and the fifth pastor, Rev. M.C. Carter (1934-1945),
succeeded him. Under Rev. Carter's administration, the Jubilee Chorus
and Junior Ushers were formed. From 1945 to 1989, under the sixth
pastor, Dr. L.W. Reid's leadership the present building was erected.
During the building of the church, services were held in the auditorium
of the former Crest Street Elementary School, which is now the W.I.
Patterson Recreation Center. He added the Trustee Board, Floral Club,
Gospel Chorus, Vacation Bible School, young adult ushers and Pastor's
Aid Club.
In 1990, Rev. Dr. Glenn R. Davis became pastor. He
continues to lead us as a dynamic, inspirational, progressive and
spiritual leader.