New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church 

OUR HISTORY

 

     The Jerusalem Baptist Church was organized under the leadership of Rev. T.J. Yarbrough in the late 1800s. In addition to a deed purchased in 1894, recent discovery revealed that the Baptist church at Motts was a member of the Brownville Association in 1883. This information was found in “The Cyclopedia of the Colored Baptists of Alabama: Their Leaders and Their Works” written by Dr. Charles O. Boothe, D.D. in 1895. Since this discovery, 1883 has been established as the founding date for the church although it is probably much older.

     Since that time, the church has called 11 men of God to serve as pastor, namely Rev. T.J. Yarbrough, Rev. E.E. Ellis, Rev. Lynn Boyd, Rev. A.C. Daniels, Rev. R.T. Lewis, Rev. G.H. Henry (1943-1953), Rev. O.L. Holston (1953-1973), Rev. R.M. Murphy (1973-1976), Rev. W.H. Dawson (1977-1978), Rev. Jesse Lee Hall (1979-2000), and Pastor Tommy L. Davis (2001-present).

     Pastor Jessie Lee Hall led the congregation as the church building underwent major renovations that included installation of an indoor baptismal pool, central heat and air conditioning, and a spacious, paved parking lot. It was at this time that the name of the church was changed from Jerusalem Baptist Church to “New” Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church.

     Pastor Tommy L. Davis, was called to serve in February 2001. Highlights have included the purchase of two 15 passenger buses to start the church’s Bus Ministry; winning the Atlanta Region of the national 2005 Kellogg's Youth Choir Sing-off; and the construction of the NJMBC Community Education Resource Center.  But most importantly, many souls have been saved and added to the body of Christ. It is under the leadership of Pastor Davis that the church plans to grow and continue a very prosperous relationship with God.