About Greater New Bethany Missionary Baptist Church
After continual prayer and meditation, three families were led to organize a new mission effort. Rev. Clark, Bro. Marion Hill, Bro. James Splunge and families, conceived the "First Corinthians Mission" and met in the home of Rev. William Irvin and Sis. Lela Mae Clark located at 1608 W. Kentucky St., Louisville, KY in November of 1968.
The small, dedicated group carried on services at this location until February of 1969. They relocated to 1509 W. Magazine St. and at that time, the Central District Association helped them organize as "New Bethany Missionary Baptist Church." The organizing council included: Dr. Porterfield, Rev. E. M. Hall, Rev. J. Bingham, Rev. A. J. Lyons, Rev. A. 0. Jones and Deacon Rigley. This newly organized congregation continued to grow as souls were added and, soon it became necessary to move to another location. In the late summer of 1969, they moved to the 1400 block of Garland Ave. By mid-summer of 1972, even larger facilities were needed for the continuously growing congregation. The next location was in the 1200 block of W. Kentucky St. The Lord continued to bless this congregation with additional disciples at such a rate that soon even larger facilities were required.
The Holy Spirit guided New Bethany's leaders to its present location at 1136 Louis Coleman Jr. Drive (formerly 34th Street) in October of 1976. By the grace of God, the Rev. William I. Clark served as pastor and shepherd of this great congregation until October of 1980. By that same grace, Rev. Hezzy M. Jewell, Sr. became pastor.
In January of 2003, the "Tuesday Night Bible Study Group" organized by the late Mrs. Evelyn McClendon at Elim Baptist Church in the 1960's lost permission to meet at the designated location and was graciously welcomed to meet at the New Bethany Mission Baptist Church. Impressed by the spiritual commitment of the small congregation and the compassionate leadership of Rev. Jewell, many from the group united with New Bethany and a new growth spurt was experienced in 2003-2004.
In the late spring of 2004, New Bethany was blessed to obtain two new facilities to accommodate the rapidly growing congregation. During this period, Rev. Jewell and congregation are dedicated to kingdom building and service to our community; the motto is "Study to show thyself approved unto God". Two announced calling to the ministry, Sis. Shirley T. Howard, and Sis. Audrey D. Cecil.
In August of 2004, Rev. Jewell was led by the spirit to alter the name of the church in order to emphasize and document the tremendous strides being made for the glory of God. The congregation voted unanimously to the addition of "Greater" to the church name. Therefore, we became, the "Greater New Bethany Missionary Baptist Church."
We continue to host the Tuesday Community Bible group which represents at least seven different congregations of diverse denominations in this city. Our congregation is still growing as we continue to add new members.
After serving this great church for 41 years, Rev. Jewell received another call on September 10. 2021. This call stated that his work on this earth was done. He went home to his heavenly Father.
Greater New Bethany, led by the Holy Spirit and the obedient servant sent by God, continue to build on the Kingdom of God. On March 12, 2023, Rev. Phillip A. Thompson of Louisville, KY, was installed as the pastor. Under the pasturage of Rev. Thompson. We have organized several ministries; New Members Class, Brotherhood Ministry, A Multimedia Ministry,
Due to extenuating circumstances, Rev. Phillip Thompson we relieved of his duties as Pastor effective December 31, 2024.
With much prayer and the leadership of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we continue on with our service. We invited several ministers to come to minister to us.
As we continued to pray, God led us to ask Rev. Robert A Grevious and he answered the call to Pastor this great church. On August 17, 2025, Rev. Robert A Grevious of Louisville, KY, was installed as the pastor of this church. Under his leadership, great things will be happening.
The voice of the Greater New Bethany Missionary Baptist Church is being heard in the West End community, the city of Louisville, and in the state of Kentucky. May she forever call men and women to seek the salvation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Equipping, Empowering, Evangelizing all of God’s people.
The small, dedicated group carried on services at this location until February of 1969. They relocated to 1509 W. Magazine St. and at that time, the Central District Association helped them organize as "New Bethany Missionary Baptist Church." The organizing council included: Dr. Porterfield, Rev. E. M. Hall, Rev. J. Bingham, Rev. A. J. Lyons, Rev. A. 0. Jones and Deacon Rigley. This newly organized congregation continued to grow as souls were added and, soon it became necessary to move to another location. In the late summer of 1969, they moved to the 1400 block of Garland Ave. By mid-summer of 1972, even larger facilities were needed for the continuously growing congregation. The next location was in the 1200 block of W. Kentucky St. The Lord continued to bless this congregation with additional disciples at such a rate that soon even larger facilities were required.
The Holy Spirit guided New Bethany's leaders to its present location at 1136 Louis Coleman Jr. Drive (formerly 34th Street) in October of 1976. By the grace of God, the Rev. William I. Clark served as pastor and shepherd of this great congregation until October of 1980. By that same grace, Rev. Hezzy M. Jewell, Sr. became pastor.
In January of 2003, the "Tuesday Night Bible Study Group" organized by the late Mrs. Evelyn McClendon at Elim Baptist Church in the 1960's lost permission to meet at the designated location and was graciously welcomed to meet at the New Bethany Mission Baptist Church. Impressed by the spiritual commitment of the small congregation and the compassionate leadership of Rev. Jewell, many from the group united with New Bethany and a new growth spurt was experienced in 2003-2004.
In the late spring of 2004, New Bethany was blessed to obtain two new facilities to accommodate the rapidly growing congregation. During this period, Rev. Jewell and congregation are dedicated to kingdom building and service to our community; the motto is "Study to show thyself approved unto God". Two announced calling to the ministry, Sis. Shirley T. Howard, and Sis. Audrey D. Cecil.
In August of 2004, Rev. Jewell was led by the spirit to alter the name of the church in order to emphasize and document the tremendous strides being made for the glory of God. The congregation voted unanimously to the addition of "Greater" to the church name. Therefore, we became, the "Greater New Bethany Missionary Baptist Church."
We continue to host the Tuesday Community Bible group which represents at least seven different congregations of diverse denominations in this city. Our congregation is still growing as we continue to add new members.
After serving this great church for 41 years, Rev. Jewell received another call on September 10. 2021. This call stated that his work on this earth was done. He went home to his heavenly Father.
Greater New Bethany, led by the Holy Spirit and the obedient servant sent by God, continue to build on the Kingdom of God. On March 12, 2023, Rev. Phillip A. Thompson of Louisville, KY, was installed as the pastor. Under the pasturage of Rev. Thompson. We have organized several ministries; New Members Class, Brotherhood Ministry, A Multimedia Ministry,
Due to extenuating circumstances, Rev. Phillip Thompson we relieved of his duties as Pastor effective December 31, 2024.
With much prayer and the leadership of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we continue on with our service. We invited several ministers to come to minister to us.
As we continued to pray, God led us to ask Rev. Robert A Grevious and he answered the call to Pastor this great church. On August 17, 2025, Rev. Robert A Grevious of Louisville, KY, was installed as the pastor of this church. Under his leadership, great things will be happening.
The voice of the Greater New Bethany Missionary Baptist Church is being heard in the West End community, the city of Louisville, and in the state of Kentucky. May she forever call men and women to seek the salvation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Equipping, Empowering, Evangelizing all of God’s people.