CHURCH HISTORY

New Bethel General Baptist Church began it’s ministry on December 20, 1925 with a total of either 11 or 19 members, according to various reports. The church was located in the 23 community and services were held in the old 23 school building, lighting was provided by lanterns and lamps hanging from the walls. Services were held in the school house until 1938, when land was donated to build a new church building just north of the school site. The new building, 32 ft. by 50 ft. was constructed by donated labor. Members of the congregation pledged to buy shares to pay for the new building. Money was not easy to get and some members had to borrow even the small sum of $25.00 from the bank.

During the mid forties, 23 school consolidated with Bald Knob School. The land was purchased and the school building removed and a home was built for the pastor's family. The land was eventually donated to the church, with a portion purchased by the church, to be used as a parsonage. More land and a house were later bought for an updated parsonage and the old one was moved. That parsonage has been sold.

The original church building has undergone many changes in the past years. It began as a single large room and later had Sunday School rooms added. It had a kitchen and a baptistery added at a later date. Until the baptistery was added, new converts were baptized in surrounding creeks and ponds, with Glaise Creek being a popular site. Brick was added and the old porch was torn down to make the outside more attractive. A concrete block building was added as a fellowship hall. It since has been removed and a new life center has been built in it’s place. Although the New Life Center is not complete, it is well on it’s way. A new sanctuary was built in 1991. We are continuing to upgrade and make changes to the church property as needed and finances change.

Our church has been blessed with many individuals who have given of their time and means to make this a church that has continued to serve the Lord from the first church service to the one we are attending today. There is no way to mention all, or even many, of the wonderful Christians who have blessed this church with their membership. We all remember family members and others who have been especially faithful.

New Bethel joined the Wolf Bayou Association in 1926 and has been a continuous member since that time. We owe much of our success as a church today to our dedicated pastor and former pastors. The church began with services only once a month and by 1952 was holding services on a half time basis. In 1964, after trying a few years earlier, the church went to full time services. This was after the Rev. Robert Brumley became the pastor on September 1, 1964. He gave 24 years and 3 months service to the church and retired December 31, 1988. This is the longest term that has been served by any pastor of this church and deserves to be recognized. Bro. Robert continues to be active in every phase of the church and is co-chair of the committee responsible for the new life center.

In 2004 the church added Media Projection in the sactuary and most recently in October of 2005, the church started it's own internet website.

In April 2007 the church began a Food Pantry Ministry called, "Bread From Heaven." "Bread From Heaven" occurs each month with the aid of many church volunteers and directed by Sister Kerri Yarbrough and Sister Robin Steele.

We wish to thank each and every one who has worked to make our church the great place where we gather to worship today.