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New Bethel Baptist Church

1016 N. Trade Street

Winston-Salem, NC 27101

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New Bethel Baptist Church History
New Bethel Baptist Church had a humble beginning in one of the most depressed sections of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, namely "The Pond." The church was founded in 1890 in the home of Mr. John Lee and his wife, Mrs. Alice Snow Lee, who lived across the street from the present structure on Trade Street.
Reverend G. H. E. Washington	New Bethel Baptist Church 1944 The membership grew under the administration of the following ministers: Reverends C. L. Davis, J. H. Goer, S. Franklin, Henry Brown, Joshua Perry, G. H. E. Washington, J. A. Williston and G. W. Kilgore. The first seven pastors served only short periods ranging from six months to three years. It was under the pastorate of Reverend Washington that a lot was purchased at the cost of $960 with a membership totaling about 25 persons. Reverend Washington soon resigned.
In 1904, Reverend G. W. Kilgore of Danville, Virginia was elected pastor. He proposed a plan to construct a brick auditorium at an approximate cost of $9,000. One cornerstone at the church bears his name. He resigned in April 1910.	Reverend G. W. Kilgore
Reverend J. H. Hamlin	In 1911, the Reverend J. H. Hamlin, a former slave who was born in Virginia, became pastor of the church. With his wise counselship and spiritual guidance, the membership of New Bethel Baptist Church reached a total of 4,096 persons during the years between 1915 through 1931.
Reverend J. C. Gilmore was called as pastor of the church in 1933. He found the church well organized with 13 ordained deacons and 8 trustees. Also, there was a large membership eager to follow the "Man of God," He remained pastor until his health failed.	Reverend J. C. Gilmore
Dr. Jerry Drayton	In May 1944, the Deacon Board unanimously recommended that Reverend Jerry Drayton, a graduate student of Howard University in Washington, DC, become pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church. He began his pastoral duties in June 1944. Dr. Drayton retired from his position as Pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church effective August 31, 2006. He was given the honor of being Pastor Emeritus at that time. He is the longest tenured pastor in the City of Winston-Salem with over 62 years of service to New Bethel. He oversaw the progress of the church through the years with a working, cooperative and progressive membership. In addition, Dr. Drayton was very effective, visible and vocal leader in the community and has championed the cause for racial equality and made history as a "first" along the way. He was a trailblazer not only with his activities in Winston-Salem, NC but also in the General Baptist State and National Baptist Conventions.
Upon recommendation from the Pastoral Search Committee and the Official Boards of New Bethel Baptist Church, the members of New Bethel voted July 23, 2006 to elect the Reverend Dr. Kendall D. Jones, Sr. as pastor. His first day as pastor was September 1, 2006. The Installation Service for Reverend Dr. Kendall D. Jones, Sr. was held on Sunday, October 8, 2006 at the 11:00 a.m. worship hour. The Reverend Dr. Kendall Dwayne Jones, Sr. was born October 8, 1962 in Little Rock, Arkansas where he received his formal education. He earned the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas; the Master of Divinity Christian Social Ministries Degree in Pastor/Social Worker from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky; and the Doctor of Ministry Degree from Midwestern Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. He has received first and second year training as a resident and supervisor in training/Adjunct Faculty in Clinical Pastoral Education both in Little Rock and Kansas City. Prior to becoming Pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Reverend Dr. Jones pastored in Burtsel, Arkansas and at Second Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri. Under his pastorate at Second Baptist, membership increased tremendously and his radio ministry flourished. He has served as Associate Minister in several churches and as Student Chaplain and Instructor of Sociology at Ouachita Baptist University. He was a member of the United Baptist Fellowship at Southern Seminary and the Minister's Alliance at Ouachita Baptist University. His civic activities were numerous, including Chairman of the Board/Research Medical Center; Executive Board Member/Healthcare Corporation of America; Pastoral Care Professional Consultation Committee; Deputy Registrar of Clark County; Committeeman of the Clark County Democratic Party; and Outstanding Missourian given by the Missouri House of Representatives, 93rd General Assembly, on March 5, 2006. Reverend Dr. Jones is married to the gracious Mrs. Mae Jones and they are the parents of two sons: Kendall Dwayne, Jr. and Allan Jermaine. In his personal life, Reverend Dr. Jones has sought to have a daily walk with the Lord through praying, fasting, reading and serving. He has a desire to get to know the members to which God has called him to serve. In his professional life, in support of ministry, he has had various academic and clinical pursuits which he believes God will help him to use to assist other in spiritual and personal matters.	Reverend Dr. Kendall D. Jones, Sr.
New Bethel Baptist Church