[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 113 (Wednesday, July 13, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING NEW TOWN MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 13, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
New Town Missionary Baptist Church in Charleston, MS inside of 
Tallahatchie County.
  New Town Missionary Baptist Church was built in 1805; therefore the 
church is more than 150 years old. Like so many Black rural churches 
the history of New Town Missionary Baptist Church was passed down by 
word of mouth from members who were slaves. The church was built under 
the guidance of Spring Hill Baptist Church which was an all-white 
congregation. However, New Town Missionary Baptist Church (an all-Black 
congregation) was pastored by Rev. Porter, who was a white minister, 
until the church was successful in finding a Black minister who could 
lead. The Rev. Hampton Clemmons was the first Black pastor of the 
church.
  The first building was a one room structure located where the Old New 
Town Cemetery is now. The following ministers have served as pastor of 
the church: Rev. Matthew Black, Rev. Neison Harris, Rev. William West, 
Rev. Willie Penn, Rev. Charlie Johnson, Rev. William Booker, Rev. 
Matthew Black (re-elected), Rev. P.R. Gipson, Rev. J.T. Brown, Rev. 
H.C. Jones, Rev L.J. Jordan, Rev. R.S. Phamphlet, Rev. David B. Curry, 
and Rev. Derrick Williams, Sr. (current pastor). Some of the deacon 
members of the church were: Bro. James H. Reed, Bro. Burel Reed, Bro. 
James H. Bellamy, Bro. Robert E. Pollard, Bro. Nathan Metcalf, Bro. 
Richard Gray, Bro. Ben Thompson, Bro. Green Hudson, Bro. James Bellamy, 
Jr., Bro. Charlie Simmons, Bro. B.L. Reed, Bro. John H. Gray, Bro. 
Barney Willis, Bro. N.A. Boclair, Bro. Charlie Anderson, Bro. Jessie 
Terry, Bro. Minon Reed, Bro. S.N. Drake, Bro. Grafton Gray, Bro. John 
Winford, Bro. George Fair, Bro. James Frost, Bro. Roberson Jennings, 
Bro. Eckles Simmons, Bro. Frank Diltz, and Bro. Erwin Maynew.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the New 
Town Missionary Baptist Church in Charleston, MS in Tallahatchie County 
inside of the Second Congressional District of Mississippi.

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