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The History of New Canaan Baptist Church 1945-Present |
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In 1943, the reverend Alex W. Bussey moved to Washington,
D.C. from Edgefield, South Carolina. Rev. Bussey was the former pastor of the China
Grove and Cedar Grove Baptist Churches in Edgefield. Desiring to continue his work
in ministry, Rev. Bussey began calling relatives and friends together to establish a
church. On March 14, 1945, the New Canaan Baptist Church Mission met at the home of
Brother Tandy and Sister Grace Gilchrist, 517 2nd Street, N.W. for their first meeting.
Later a meeting was held at the home of Charlie, Helen, Walter, Jessie and Andrew Cain,
1722 Montello Avenue, N.E.; during this meeting the first officers were elected.
They were: |
| Deacons: |
Walter Cain, Chairman
Rufus Cain Tandy Gilchrist William Morrison |
| Trustees: |
Charlie Cain, Chairman
Andrew Cain Tandy Gilchrist |
| Church Clerk: | Elizabeth Gilchrist |
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The members also discussed the availability of a church
at 4th and L Streets, N.W., where services could be held on a regular basis.
On the following Sunday, April 1, 1945 services were held at the new site.
Church enrollment consisted of 27 members.
On May 18, 1945, the New Canaan Baptist Church was officially established with representatives from five Baptist churches to participate in the ceremonies. The enrollment had grown to 50 members. Realizing that the responsibility of the church did not rest with one man, but with a group of baptized believers, Rev. Bussey instituted a set of bylaws by which the Church should be governed. The following is a list of the auxiliaries established during Rev. Bussey's tenure as Pastor: |
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Sunday school - Deacon Walter Cain, Superintendent Baptist Training Union (BTU) - Elizabeth Gilchrist, Director Missionary Society - Elizabeth Gilchrist Usher Board - First president unknown Vocal Choir - Grace Gilchrist, President (the Vocal Choir is New Canaan's oldest choir) Senior choir - Elizabeth Gilchrist, President Youth Choir - Jannie Patten Randolph Minister of Music - Alma Bryant On January 18, 1953, God called Rev. Bussey to eternal rest. |
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Reverend Jack Dawson succeeded Rev. Bussey as Pastor in 1954. During his tenure, New Canaan continued worshipping at 4th and L Streets, N.W. However, desiring to purchase a building of their own, the Church was blessed financially and in December 1959, the membership moved to 701 15th Street, N.E. Under Rev. Dawson's leadership, the following ministry was founded: |
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Volunteer Gospel Chorus - Dee Dee Harris, Founder (Now known as the Victory Gospel Choir) Rev. Dawson resigned in January 1960 |
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In October 1960, New Canaan elected Reverend Albert Norris to lead the congregation. During Rev. Norris' tenure, the Church installed an air condition, a heating system, and a baptismal pool. Additionally, the following church auxiliaries were established: |
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The Kitchen Committee The Nurses Unit - First Chairperson unknown The Male Chorus Rev. Norris resigned in January 1970 |
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On August 8, 1970, Reverend Lindell Bridges was elected to serve as Pastor. Under Rev. Bridges' leadership, New Canaan purchased some much needed office equipment and the church house at 1502 Gales Street, N.E. He revised the Church's bylaws ad made them available to the membership. In addition, the following new auxiliaries were established: |
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Christian Education Department - Elizabeth Gilchrist, Director Gospel Ray Ensemble (April 1973) - Geraldine Tompkins, Director Rev. Bridges resigned in April 1977. |
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On April 22, 1978, Reverend Terry D. Streeter was installed as Pastor. Under his leadership, the Church grew both spiritually and numerically, creating a need for an additional Sunday service. During Rev. Streeter's tenure the Church continued to make improvements to the property by purchasing new pews and carpet. The Church also purchased a new van. The following is a list of ministries established under Rev. Streeter's leadership: |
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1980 - Youth Department - Muriel Swann 1981 - New Canaan News - Barbara Blassengale Women's Retreat - Pharalee Streeter 1982 - Evangelism Team - Geraldine Tompkins, Director 1983 - Men's Discipleship - Rev. Terry Streeter Women's Discipleship - Pattie Harris, Founder 1985 - Tape Ministry - Vincent Williams, Director 1987 - Men's Retreat - Rev. Terry Streeter Creative Ministry - Stanley Huff, Director 1988 - Children's Ministry - Minister Ellen Sims Literacy Program - Florine Matthews Prayer Ministry - Doris Gilliam Youth Retreat - Pharalee Streeter and Joyce White 1989 - Keep In Touch (KIT) Team - New Canaanettes - Wanda Patten, Director Youth Missionaries - Charlotte Jamison Rev. Streeter resigned as Pastor on August 23, 1989 |
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New Canaan moved quickly to find a new leader. On August 29, 1989, Reverend Gregory M. Sims was called as pastor-elect. He was installed as Pastor on December 16, 1989. In June 1990, Pastor Sims resigned his job to become New Canaan's first fulltime pastor. The focus of Pastor Sims' ministry had been on strengthening the family. To accomplish this, he stresses building men who will build families that will ultimately build the Church. He devotes a significant amount of time in family counseling. In addition, the Men's discipleship Ministry has seen significant growth under his pastorate. Since coming to New Canaan, Pastor Sims' ministry continues to flourish. In March 1990, New Canaan purchased a second church house at 1504 Gales Street, N.E. and during the same year purchased a computer system to automate the church's records. Additional improvements have been made which includes the purchase of new carpet, a new church marquee and an air conditioner system Under Pastor Sims' leadership the following ministries have been establish: |
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1989 - Feeding the Homeless - Charlotte Jamison, Director 1990 - Youth Fellowship - Barbara Blassengale, Director Reinstated Mid-week Prayer and Bible Class Meals on Wheels - Charlotte Jamison, Director 1991 - Employment Ministry - Phyllis Anderson Couple's Retreat - Pastor Sims Senior Ministry - Joyce White, Director 1992 - Male apprentice Network (MAN) - Pastor Sims Street Attendants - Stanley Huff 1994 - Junior Youth Ministry - Barbara Blassengale, Director Shepherding Ministry - Pastor Sims 1995 - Young Women's Fellowship - Deaconess Youth Bible Study - Rev. Undra Philips Youth Ushers - Margo Anderson & Julia Huff 1996 - Noon Day Bible Class - Pastor Sims Men's Fellowship - Pastor Sims Kitchen Ministry - Patsy Kyles 1997 - Hospitality Ministry - Barbara Blassengale Floral Ministry - Gloriet Moton Educational Encouragement - Debbie Burns 1998 - A Way Out Ministry - Moses Rustin, Director 2000 - Courtesy Attendants - Donald Hart 2001 - Facility Coordinating - Durce Johnson Strong Bodies Ministry - Derek & Natalie Brown Van Ministry - Leon Burns 2003 - Youth Department - Rev. Christopher Starghill |
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As New Canaan has continued to grow under Pastor' Sims
leadership on October 16, 1991 property at 2826 Bladensburg Road, N.E. was purchased
to accommodate the growth of the membership. We were blessed to observe our Ground
Breaking Service on Saturday, October 4, 1997. This celebration brought glory unto
God and excitement for our fellowship.
Following many challenges and saturated prayer the New Canaan Baptist Church Family marched into our present edifice on Saturday, June 3, 2000. With the Lord's grace this present facility has allowed us to accommodate growth in our Sunday school as well as other ministries. Membership has continued to increase as well. Recently, a shed has been constructed to house lawn and other equipment, March 2001. The Lord blessed our Church to acquire the adjacent property, 2830 Bladensburg Road, NE, as a cash purchase in March of 2002. This facility will in time provide additional parking as well as house various ministry meetings. On April 6, 2003, Pastor’s vision for a Young Adult Sunday school class became an exciting reality. We are currently blessed with three teachers for this group. In answer to prayer the Lord has provided complete ministry coverage, for the first time, for children through Senior citizens. On October of 2004 the Church Annex was dedicated through a prayer service, followed by an open house on Sunday, October 10, 2004. In March of 2005 our Church came together to provide funds for construction of a Church/School in the Philippines. During this same time we began a construction upgrade project on our Church Annex to provide convenient access between our properties. The Lord also blessed our Church to realize the origin of several ministries such as: Couples Enrichment Ministry, Parenting Ministry, and Young Adult Sunday school. In addition, in the fall of 2007 a Mommy Room was prepared to minister to parents of young children during the 11:00 a.m. Worship Service. Pastor Sims’ vision for hosting a Midday Prayer Service became a reality following the Easter Worship in March of 2008. We continue to trust God to provide the wisdom and patience to maintain a spirit of excellence in ministry as well as a heart to serve others among our congregation. |
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