[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 62 (Saturday, April 8, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E495]
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

                        Saturday, April 8, 2017

  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. 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 a white minister, 
Rev. Porter, 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. 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. 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.