Did you know that Greater New Light Baptist Church’s story began in a humble home? It all started in December 1951. Twenty-five dedicated individuals gathered at 9512 South Central Avenue in Los Angeles. They shared a vision a new church. This wasn’t just any church. It was to be Greater New Light Baptist Church.
The group held a second meeting on December 16th 1951. Rev J D Trahan and Rev J O Barnett led the organization. Sister Gibbs served as clerk. Early leaders included A Gus Mallard Willie “Bill” Hill and O B Burkhalter. Rev Barnett’s message resonated “If you keep God in front no strife can come upon you”. Soon the congregation found a storefront at 92nd and Central Avenue for worship.
Initially the church was called Saint Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church. Mary Burns was involved in renaming it New Light Baptist Church. However another church already used that name. So Greater New Light Baptist Church was born. Fundraising efforts allowed them to buy their current property. They initially worshipped in a garage on that land.
Rev Trahan and his wife later resigned. Rev Townsend became pastor in February 1952. Doc Langworthy became the new treasurer. By October 1952 there was enough money to build a permanent structure. The groundbreaking was on the third Sunday of October 1952. By September 1953 the church was dedicated. It had 135 members.
Rev Townsend resigned in August 1958. Membership had grown to over 700. The number of deacons increased from five to fifteen. The Senior Ushers grew from five to eighteen. The Senior Choir grew from thirteen to forty. There were also twenty-five Junior Ushers and fifteen Junior Choir members.
One of the twenty-five founders Sister Dorothy Martin Shell was still a member. Many others had been part of the church for fifty or more years. In October 1958 Rev Walter Washington became pastor. Under his leadership improvements were made to the building.
Pastor Washington retired in December 2007 after forty-nine years. Dr Patrick D Ross became the Senior Pastor in August 2008. He delivered his first sermon on September 7th 2008. The church continues to grow. Dr Ross continues to preach and teach. Greater New Light Baptist Church stands as a testament to faith perseverance and community. It continues its mission to bring people to Christ.