OUR HISTORY
New Congregational M.B.C.
ESTABLISHED 1968
On November 12, 1967 there was a meeting in the home of Bro. and Sis. John Milligan with the following people present: Rev. L.M. Jones, Bro. B.T. Jarrett, Bro. J. Milligan, Bro. James Crump, and Rev. A. Brown. The main purpose of this meeting was to organize a church in a community where a church was most needed.
A second meeting was held at the home of Bro. B.T. Jarrett and Betty Jarrett with the following people present: Rev. L.M. Jones, Bro. H. Hopsons, Bro. C. Suggs, Bro. B.T. Jarrett and Bro. J. Milligan. The highlights of this meeting were that a place of worship was needed and money to secure that place. We also needed a name for it. There were pledges made in the amount of $850.
We began seeking such a place in the 300 block of East Manchester Avenue but was unsuccessful in obtaining it. Later, Bro. Jarrett was informed of some property that was for sale at 11205 South Vermont Avenue and a meeting was called at 53rd and Main Street at Rev. Carter’s church. This was the first assembly of the proposed Church in which we organized ourselves as a group.
Rev. L.M. Jones served as Moderator and Minister, Sis. Jackson served as Secretary, and the following Ministers were present at this meeting: Rev. Lockhart, Rev. J. Hitchens, Rev. C.C. Royal and Rev. Anderson. Bro. Jarrett made his report to the Assembly concerning the property. His report was received. It was agreed that we would pursue the purchase of the property at 11205 South Vermont Avenue. During this meeting a name for the proposed Church was discussed and it was agreed that we would name it “The New Congregational Missionary Baptist Church.”
A bid was submitted to the seller for the sum of $15,500. The bid was accepted, but at this time we were not a duly organized body and therefore Bro. Suggs agreed to let the group use his name to purchase the property until organization could be completed.
The property was purchased for the sum of $15,500 of which Rev. Jones secure a loan of $1,500 for a down payment on the property. The $850 of pledges was used to renovate it. Bro. Robert Coleman was of great assistance in renovating the property.
During the month of April 1968, we moved into the building located at 11205 South Vermont Avenue and held our first Christian services.
Following the entering services, we later called the Independent District Association of Southern California Incorporated of whom the Moderator was Referee Pedescleaus, Rev. S.L. Taylor-Secretary, Rev. R.A. Washington, Treasury, for the purpose of organizing the church and installing Rev. L.M. Jones as Pastor.
After this meeting was held, the following officers were appointed: Bro. C. Suggs, Chairman of the Deacon Board; Bro. B.T. Jarrett, Chairman of Trustee Board; Sis. B.C. Jarrett, Superintendent of Sunday School, Sis. McLeon, President of the Mission, Sis. Hopson, Secretary of the Church, and Sis. Mary Crump, President of the Choir. Rev. Clark, First Treasurer, Mother Marie Bishop, First Chief Usher, Rosie Milligan, First Choir Director.
Bro. and Sis. Castell and Sis Jamie Gordon and son were the first families to unite with this church. Following them were Sis. Annie Coleman and family, Bro. and Sis. Fizer and family and many other families and friends that the Lord has added to this great family of believers.
In November of 1968, the Pastor testified that he had asked the Lord for a building. On the 2nd Sunday in February 1969 his prayers were answered.
Deacon Gray of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church of Venice, California informed us that the First Baptist Church of Venice had a building to give away. Pastor Jones and the brethren went to Venice to look at the building and agreed to try and move it.
Following this, the Church filed an application for incorporation with the Secretary of State of California and the application was approved. The church became incorporated on March 31, 1969.
A groundbreaking program was set in order. Rev. L.C. Moore served as Chairman of the Finance drive for the purpose of moving the building from Venice to Los Angeles, California which was to end at the groundbreaking services. The men donated $100 each for this project and Mother Coleman sponsored a Green Leaf Tea that netted $800. We also obtained a loan from George Thornton and son for the sum of $16,000 to move and remodel the building.
The building was successfully placed on this site November 14, 1969. The contractor worked for approximately a week and the Committee terminated him. The Pastor and brethren finished the balance of the job, renovating the old building.
The first services in our new building were held on the 25th day of December 1969. Rev. W.R. Thomas was the order of the day. The entrance services began February 8th and continued through February 22, 1970. During these services Bro. Griffin Fizer passed away who testified, he asked the Lord to let him live to see this building on its foundation.
In March 1970, Mrs. Pat Crawford brought the Sesame Street School from her community by car to this Church.
In April of 1970, Bro. Roy Fuggins and Sis. Bessie Mae Fuggins donated the neon sign to the church. Also, during this month we were able to purchase our new seats. Bro. Earl Eldridge served as Chairman of Trustee Board. He passed away before the seats arrived and Sis. Eldridge continued on in his work until the project was completed.
The Usher board sponsored the finances for the purchase of the carpeting, and Bro. Henry Alexander donated the shrubs around the church.
The Lord blessed the church in a great way. Many souls were added to New Congregational.
In 1971, we began broadcasting from 10pm to 11pm at night and was moved to 3pm to 4pm in the afternoon. We continued to broadcast until the station changed ownership.
In 1972, we were blessed to record an album titled: Universal Invitation.
In 1973, we purchased a beautiful organ and piano.
In 1975, the plans for the Educational Building were completed and construction began on
July 3, 1975. Pastor Jones being a contractor along with the help of two young men, Jerry Ammons and David Nettles and numerous other brethren completed the work up until this particular point where facilities can now be used with anticipation of having the full job completed in 1976.
This 11th year we can be proud of many accomplishments:
I. The Young Adult Choir released their first album;
II. We purchased a church bus;
III. We purchased property for a parking lot;
IV. Laid the cornerstone and expect in the coming years with God’s help to accomplish more.
Rev L.M. Jones
John and Rosie Milligan
James Crump
Rev. Albert Brown
Cornelius Suggs
B.T. Jarrett
Herman Hopkins was absent from the first meeting; James Crump was absent from the second meeting.
The third meeting was held at the home of Brother James and Mary Crump. From 1976 to 1998 Pastor Jones trained and taught the following ministers, and ordained most of them:
1. Hal Jones 13. Rev. Jimmy Branch
2. Moses Scott 14. Rev. O.C. Jones
3. Jimmy Wilson 15. Rev. Theotis (Ta-Ta) Wilkins
4. Rev. Greer 16. Rev. Nathaniel Wilkins
5. Rev. Dennis More 17. Rev. Joe Collins
6. Rev. Elchos 18. Minister Roslyn
7. Rev. A. Harris 19. Minister Billy Moore
8. Rev. Craig 20. Rev. Anderson
9. Rev. White 21. Rev. Clark
10. Minister Caldwell 22. Rev. Albert Brown
11. Minister Chambers 23. Minister Bonnie White
12. Minister Barbara Goins
Pastor Louis M. Jones retired in 1998.
Elder Jenkins served as preacher for two years while we search for a Pastor from 2000 until Pastor Jimmy D. Phillips was elected as Pastor. Under Pastor Jimmy D. Phillips, The church multipurpose room was changed into Pastor office and other offices. The baptizing pool was moved from the corner of the church to the center of the stage. The Pastor office was moved upstairs. The finance office was moved upstairs. Pastor Jimmy D. Phillips retired in 2006. Rev. Arthur Dixon served two years as a minister Interim Pastor until we elected Pastor Kelly D. Taylor, MTS.
Pastor Kelly Taylor, MTS was officially installed December 27, 2009. Under his leadership Pastor Taylor has accomplished the following:
Built a stage for Praise and Worship Team
Created Community Day – a day of engagement with the community
Created ITalk Ministry – opportunities for developing young leaders
Created the Joshua Fund, formerly building fund and remolded and or create the following– all while remaining debt free
Created employment opportunities by creating staffing positions
Created Kid Zone Ministry (Kid Zone store coming soon)
Created funding stream for NC vacant lot
Increased membership by 100%
Introduced and increased membership through Social Media platforms
Introduced multiple streams of giving through online platforms
Identified and addressing concerns of mental unwellness by partnering with Department of Mental Health
Identified and addressing concerns with those experiencing homelessness by creating Xpand low income housing apartment units
Landscaping, painting, flooring
Ordained multiple Deacons
Purchased and replaced:
Air conditioner unit
Seating for the sanctuary
Sound system
Purchased portable baptism pool with heating mechanism
Purchased TV monitors
Renamed and approved the food ministry formerly called New Congregational MBC Food Ministry to “Helping Hands” ministry whereby thousands receive food and clothing
Remodeled the church-house, thereby creating low income housing for families
Restarted the Deaconess Ministry
Shifted seating from North to East thereby creating more seating for more members, thereby phrasing his vision, “a soul in every seat, a seat for every soul”
Started working on low-income housing with components that included and was not limited to mental health services, dental clinic, and child-care services;
Pastor Kelly D. Taylor, MTS was called to be with the Lord October 28, 2022.
November 19, 2023
Approximately one year after Pastor Kelly D. Taylor, MTS was called to be with the Lord, New Congregational MBC voted November 5, 2023 and selected Isaiah Robertson, as Pastor elect – Pastor elect started his journey November 19, 2023 under his leadership and the same day he began his journey approximately 30 people joined our congregation.