...on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it.
- Matt. 16:18
In October 1912, New Branch Baptist Church was established as a place of worship. Much of our history is not available due to the fact that events, dates and names were not recorded, but were passed on by word of mouth. However, we are forever grateful for those who saw the need to establish this branch of Zion to provide spiritual guidance to those who gathered in the name of the Lord.
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Rev. George Barnes, a school teacher, started having Sunday School in a little red schoolhouse located not far from here. Ivor Baptist Church, a “little framed” building, was housed on our current site. The members of Ivor Baptist were moving to another location and Rev. Barnes made arrangements to purchase the building. Brothers James H. Holloman, James Holloway, William Oliver and James Murphy served as trustees and signed a note at the bank to purchase the building from Ivor Baptist. This was the beginning of the New Branch Baptist Church.
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New Branch was organized as a church by the Little Gilfield Baptist Church of Ivor. Rev. Heck served as the first pastor to preach and teach the Word of God. Upon his death, the Lord sent Rev. J. R. Baker. He continued the unfinished work of paying for the church. Rev. Baker’s pastorship ended with his death.
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New Branch was lead by great pastors over the years to include Rev. L. Sharpe, who served eighteen years, Rev. E.E. Morgan, Rev. A.B. Walker, Rev. G.W. Johnson, and Rev. J.P. Williams. Throughout their years of service, the pastors rendered the church faithful service and accomplished many feats to grow and advance the church.
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From April 1984 to February 1986, New Branch did not have a Pastor. However, the Lord stood by our sides and fulfilled His promise to “never leave nor forsake” us. Despite the absence of a Pastor, we continued to have Sunday School and Worship Services as well as carry on the business of the Church.
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In February of 1986, God sent a devoted, dedicated and sincere leader, our present Pastor, Rev. Frank L. Aikens, Sr.
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In October of 2012, New Branch celebrated its Centennial Anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, the 100th Anniversary Committee orchestrated activities and events to lead up to this celebration. May 13, 2012, Mother’s Day, Mrs. Isabelle Davis Peden was recognized as “Mother of New Branch”. On October 20, 2012, a semi-formal banquet was held at the Shepherd’s Center, Tabernacle Christian Church, Suffolk, Virginia. Members and friends from far and near came out in their finest formal attire. October 28, 2012, Rev. J. Reaves, Sr. and Good Shepherd Baptist Church, Petersburg, Virginia rendered the 100th Anniversary Service. A souvenir booklet, with acknowledgements from the President of the United States – President Barack Obama; the Governor of The Commonwealth of Virginia – Robert F. McDonnell; the Mayor of Ivor, Virginia – Keith Joyner; places of worship, friends, family members, businesses and members of New Branch, were published.
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The Lord continues to bless us spirituality and to increase our membership. New Branch has grown from the “little wood frame” building to the present edifice at 8140 Proctors Bridge Road, Ivor, Virginia. We often stepped out on Faith, but, we also believed that God would supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. We have truly come this far by Faith, leaning on the Lord. To God Be The Glory For All That HE HAS DONE!
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