Having faith in God and believing he had a greater calling for his people
A Group of Six People, spearheaded by Sister Azzie Lee Curtis, Janette Curtis, Joanne Callier, Floyd & Ruth Ross, & Glenda Sanders held the first organizational meeting to start a new church at the Mitchell Funeral Home located at 1324 North Border Street, in Tyler, Texas on January 3, 1983. At this meeting, Rev. James E. Curtis was voted as a pastor and the church was given the name, NEW JERUSALEM BAPTIST CHURCH. On January 10, 1983, the first service of the New Jerusalem Baptist Church was held, and fifteen new members were added to the church roll.
In February 1983, Rev. S.K. Bizzell and the Progressive Baptist Church opened the doors of their church for the newly formed church to hold its worship services. As the church grew, deacons were ordained (Deacon Floyd Ross is still a faithful member). A choir was formed and given the name, “James E. Curtis Gospel Choir”. The church was inspired by the continued growth and began looking for property to build a new church.
In early 1984, the membership began working to purchase the former Emmett Scott School grounds located at the corner of Cochran and Border Street. Through hard work and support of families and friends, the entire block was purchased and plans were developed to build a sanctuary. In June 1984, the groundbreaking services were held and construction began with an anticipated completion around Thanksgiving. However, inclement weather delayed completion as scheduled.
On Sunday, March 17, 1985, the New Jerusalem Baptist Church opened its doors at 1300 N. Border Avenue after a spirited and joyful march from the Mitchell Funeral Home (currently Community Funeral Home) where the seed was planted and ended where we are today. We have had trials and tribulations, but through faith in God and dedication, we have come this far by faith. Thus, our church motto “For we walk by faith, and not by sight,” II Corinthians 5:7. In January 2005, under the leadership of Rev. James E. Curtis, the New Jerusalem Baptist Church made the final payment on this building and a joyous “note-burning” ceremony was held on the fourth Sunday in March of 2005.
The New Jerusalem Baptist Church, like the branches of a tree, has many branches that make up the body of the church. We are blessed with a wonderful Sunday School, Brotherhood, Women’s Ministry, Bible Study, Usher Board, Pastor’s Aid Committee, J.E. Curtis Mass Choir, New Jerusalem Male Chorus, Youth Mime Team, and Praise Dancers as well as the Bread of Heaven Food Ministry, in addition to others.
On the 4th Sunday, December 23, 2012, our shepherd and pastor Rev. James E. Curtis retired as leader of our congregation after serving faithfully for almost 30 years. God sent a new shepherd in the person of Pastor Gary L. Walker on the 1st Sunday of January 2013. Following the resignation of Pastor Walker on July 28, 2019, the members prayed and continued to walk by faith. God answered our prayers and on March 18, 2020, a new pastor was elected, Rev. Lawrence Earl Brown, and presented to the church on March 19. Like our founders, we will not settle for the status quo in our church. We pray that this church will forever hold high the banner of Christ, who said, “Upon this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. New Jerusalem Baptist Church Family, “for we walk by faith, and not by sight.”