History of The New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church
Our Story
In 1953, a few followers of God, as revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, began a journey under the leadership of Rev. R.A. Byrd and Rev. Clarence E. Paige, Sr. In the year 1954, Rev. Clarence E. Paige, Sr., was called as pastor. The committee calling Rev. Paige were Mother Elizabeth Riley, Deacon Fred Davis, Deacon Alonzo Jones, Deacon Harvey Watson, Deacon Emanuel Gray, Deacon Fred Bailey, Sister Aretha Jones, Sister Inez Royal and Brother Willie Royal.
Permission was finally granted to use the premise as a church after many discouraging visits to City Hall. Renovations began, the partitions were removed on the first floor and steel beams installed. Renovations were complete and worship services began. The average membership was less than 20 persons. The church income was $65-$75.00 per month and we struggled to make ends meets. In 1957, the church was reorganized under Rev. Clarence E. Paige Sr.
Pastor Paige served the First Communion on the first Sunday, September 1954. A building fund was organized and a total of $5.00 raised. The fund continued until $1000.00 was raised to purchase this property located at 1034 Montgomery Street. The banking committee were Deacon Alonzo Jones, Sister Aretha Jones and Mother Elizabeth Riley.
God saw fit to increase the membership and finances. As a result, the property was paid for and the mortgage was burned on the second Sunday, June 1966. The church went through many trials but, we made it through the Grace of God.
Rev. Paige was pastor for 30+ years until he was called from labor to reward in September 1987. Rev. Clarence Slater was Assistant Pastor to Rev. Paige and with Gods help, he was able to keep the members together.
In 1989, Rev. Jimmie Lee McMillon Sr., was called as pastor. He came with a vision and believes that “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18. In 1990, new pews were purchased for the sanctuary. In September 1994, we held a groundbreaking ceremony in preparation for the remodeling of a new sanctuary. During renovations, worship services were held across the street at the Christian Community Center, 1029 Montgomery Street.
Through much prayer and faith of our pastor, members and friends, renovations were completed, and the sanctuary was ready for worship on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 14, 1995. Between 1995 and 2000, the Kitchen, Food Pantry and Fellowship Hall were completed. In May 2000, the parking lot was paved.
Pastor McMillon believes in Christian Education and wanted a school here at New Jerusalem to further educate the people of God. In the same year 2000, he received his Dean’s Certification through the Sunday School Publishing Board. The paperwork was completed and submitted to the Sunday School Publishing Board and the school was approved and named: New Jerusalem Baptist Institute. We held our first classes on February 7, 2001. A 15-passenger van was also purchased for the church.
On Sunday, November 25, 2007, 4:00 PM. we held our Mortgage Burning Ceremony. Guest Church was Pastor Bob Hope Robinson and the Greater New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church of Syracuse New York. Hebrews 10:24-25.
