On January 30 1971 sixteen adults and their children gathered at the home of Reverend John R Lee and Sister Mary E Lee. They had a purpose to organize a church of Christ. This meeting birthed New Redeemer Baptist Mission. The first service was held on February 7 1971 at 1922 13th Street NW Washington DC.
New Redeemer Baptist Church stands before you today a testament to faith perseverance and community. This wasn’t always its location. It’s a place where history echoes in every pew. Its foundation rests on the dedication of those early members. They built a fellowship that has thrived for over fifty years.
In June 1972 just sixteen months after its humble beginnings New Redeemer found a permanent home. This is the very spot we stand on today at 5714 Georgia Avenue NW. Under Reverend Lee’s inspired leadership the church experienced remarkable spiritual and financial growth. They even operated a Christian-based child development center until 1978. A remarkable achievement was the installation of a baptismal pool in 1979. Something considered impossible by previous occupants of the building.
Reverend Lee’s tenure ended on December 15 1980 when the Lord called him home. Reverend John T Rhodes took the reins in April 1981. His leadership continued the church’s upward trajectory. Major renovations were undertaken. Hope House a neighboring property was acquired to expand the church’s capacity. It served as classrooms and overflow space.
Reverend Rhodes’s time at New Redeemer ended in 1999. He then went on to lead Trinidad Baptist Church. Reverend Lester Best Jr briefly served as Pastor-Elect. Then Reverend Lehman D Bates II served as Interim Pastor until September 2000.
That’s when Reverend Alan Thompson became the third pastor. He oversaw the remarkable accomplishment of paying off the church mortgage in 2005. He also expanded the church leadership adding deacons trustees and deaconesses. The youth ministry flourished under his leadership. It expanded to include a monthly fellowship Youth Sunday and various ministries such as Liturgical Dance Step Mime and African Drumming. His wife Rita Hardy Thompson coordinated this. They even established a computer lab providing tutoring for youth and the community. Students from Howard University and the US Naval Academy volunteered as tutors.
Reverend Oran W Young served as Assistant Pastor from 2009 to 2016 before moving on to pastor First Rising Mount Zion Church. Brother André Shepard a lifelong member was licensed to the Gospel Ministry in 2016.
Reverend Alan Thompson retired in June 2021 after 20 years of dedicated service. After a period of prayer and searching Reverend Roman D Gray was installed as the fourth pastor on September 25 2022. The congregation welcomed him his family and embraced his vision of “Rebuilding By Working Together”.
New Redeemer Baptist Church’s story is one of unwavering faith resilience and community. It’s a place where generations have found spiritual solace support and a profound sense of belonging. It’s a living testament to the enduring power of faith and the unwavering spirit of those who built it. It’s more than just a building it is a living community.