Church History
New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church was
organized December 16, 1928. The first meeting place was a
tent erected on the corner of 7th Street and Division Avenue, in
West Palm Beach, Florida. The Rev. Jacob C. Fennell accepted
the “call” to be the first pastor. Property was purchased and
a permanent church building was erected at the present site, 911 9th
Street. The cornerstone was laid on June 14, 1931.
Over her 81 year history, New Bethel has had several faithful pastors who have contributed to her strong historical status in the community. Rev. R.B Black (pastorate from 1934-1936) contributed to the church’s physical restoration after the Great Depression. Rev. E.G. Guilford (pastorate from 1936-1947) instituted a building fund to expand the church’s edifice to accommodate its growth, which was over a 1000 members. Rev. D. N. Conner (pastorate from 1947-1988) served 40 years, which was the longest tenure of service. Under his administration, the cornerstone of the new edifice was laid on October 8, 1950. The main Sanctuary of the church was dedicated on Sunday, May 20, 1951 and the Church’s Mortgage was burned in 1956. Under Pastor D.N. Conner’s leadership, many sons were called into the Ministry. He was the first Pastor to retire from the church on June 5, 1988.
Rev. Russell E. Odom was called as pastor in July of 1998, at which time the church experienced rapid growth. Under his leadership, the church instituted a Tutorial program, the monthly Senior Citizen Luncheon and established a Radio ministry along with other various innovative projects. Pastor Odom resigned from the pastorate of New Bethel on October 4, 1994. Reverend Carlton Gant, a son of the ministry was called as pastor and he served whole-heartedly from July 17, 1995 to October 2, 1997. During the church’s pastoral vacancies, the congregation sought the wisdom and experience of the Assistant Pastor, B.W. Williams. Rev. B.W. Williams stood faithfully in the gap, the course of the ship as the interim pastor until the next shepherd was called. On October 29, 1998 Pastor James Lofton was called to become the seventh pastor of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. For the past eleven years, Apostle James Lofton, Jr. has been the leader and served the New Bethel Congregation endurably.
Under his leadership, New Bethel has acquired properties in the areas near and around the church; the Sanctuary has been refurbished and the southwest parking lot was expanded and paved. The kitchen and dining room have also being renovated. The New Bethel Missionary Baptist church has stood the test of time and now stands as a model church that has taken the principals of faith of her forefathers and merging it with worship that invokes the presence of God.
Over her 81 year history, New Bethel has had several faithful pastors who have contributed to her strong historical status in the community. Rev. R.B Black (pastorate from 1934-1936) contributed to the church’s physical restoration after the Great Depression. Rev. E.G. Guilford (pastorate from 1936-1947) instituted a building fund to expand the church’s edifice to accommodate its growth, which was over a 1000 members. Rev. D. N. Conner (pastorate from 1947-1988) served 40 years, which was the longest tenure of service. Under his administration, the cornerstone of the new edifice was laid on October 8, 1950. The main Sanctuary of the church was dedicated on Sunday, May 20, 1951 and the Church’s Mortgage was burned in 1956. Under Pastor D.N. Conner’s leadership, many sons were called into the Ministry. He was the first Pastor to retire from the church on June 5, 1988.
Rev. Russell E. Odom was called as pastor in July of 1998, at which time the church experienced rapid growth. Under his leadership, the church instituted a Tutorial program, the monthly Senior Citizen Luncheon and established a Radio ministry along with other various innovative projects. Pastor Odom resigned from the pastorate of New Bethel on October 4, 1994. Reverend Carlton Gant, a son of the ministry was called as pastor and he served whole-heartedly from July 17, 1995 to October 2, 1997. During the church’s pastoral vacancies, the congregation sought the wisdom and experience of the Assistant Pastor, B.W. Williams. Rev. B.W. Williams stood faithfully in the gap, the course of the ship as the interim pastor until the next shepherd was called. On October 29, 1998 Pastor James Lofton was called to become the seventh pastor of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. For the past eleven years, Apostle James Lofton, Jr. has been the leader and served the New Bethel Congregation endurably.
Under his leadership, New Bethel has acquired properties in the areas near and around the church; the Sanctuary has been refurbished and the southwest parking lot was expanded and paved. The kitchen and dining room have also being renovated. The New Bethel Missionary Baptist church has stood the test of time and now stands as a model church that has taken the principals of faith of her forefathers and merging it with worship that invokes the presence of God.
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Ministerial Staff |
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Reverend Doctor B. W. Williams, Interim Pastor |
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Reverend Kenneth Allen |
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Reverend Dr. James Lamons |
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Minister Eric Miller Minister Jeffrey Knight |
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Church Officers |
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Sammie Cooper, Jr. |
Chairman Deacons Ministry |
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Joseph J. Kemp |
Chairman Trustee Ministry |
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Sis. Anne Sutton |
Church Clerk |
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Sis. Bernice Wooten |
Financial Secretary |
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Sis. Doris Price |
Director of Christian Education |
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