Our story, like many others, is connected to the First Great Migration of African Americans. This was a time of economic disadvantage, religious depression, and racial oppression of African Americans in the South that led to over a million leaving the South and moving to northern industrial cities for better employment and options. They migrated to large cities and others stopped and settled in smaller towns along the way, like Middletown. Although there was an existing black community in Middletown, these new Middletonians had a significant impact on the African American population growth. Soon after World War I ended, there were only three Black Baptist churches in the southwest part of the city and none near the area of Oakwood.
Approximately 19 dedicated men and women of faith were led to organize a church. They held a series of special meetings in Oakwood and on the evening of December 1, 1921, they held the official meeting to organize the NEW ERA BAPTIST CHURCH in Middletown, Ohio. The first chartered members were Tobe Deyzer, Davie Clover, George Maddox, Arthur Johnson, Archie Lock, Garfield White, Allen Christian, Julius Rome, William Woods, B.G. Williams, M.E. Johnson, James Bradford, Mary Bradford, Maggie Townsend, Isabell Bryant, Lugene Scott, Bessie Glover, Sarah Cooper and Mary Johnson. Rev. C.C. Cephers served as moderator and B.A. Mitchell served as clerk at the first meeting. The first minutes were written by Deacon/Trustee W.A. Latimore. We understand that there were others who were engaged in the early struggles of this church helping prepare the way for others to follow. The first worship service was held in a building in the 1600 block of Garfield Street. With God’s help, since 1925, New Era has owned and maintained various properties for Worship Services and the ministry of Kingdom Building.
On that first day in 1921, New Era members took bold steps to lay a foundation that ensured the church’s continuity for more than 100 years. The congregation grew each year, and the kingdom of God advanced. Progress was made by all pastors physically and spiritually. New Era has had 13 Pastors since our beginning in 1921. New Era’s pastors by dates served were: Rev. John Williams (1st Pastor), Rev. Robinson, Rev. George Sims, Rev. Paul Brey, Rev. G.H. Price, Rev. Joseph Pate, Rev. F. H. Alexander, Rev. Sterling S. Cousin, Rev. Walter Piper, Rev. Joseph F. Young, Rev. Dr. Gregory B. Ballard, Sr., Rev. Eric L. Donalson, and Rev. Dr. Jamey L. Colts, Sr.
New Era has a long and lasting legacy of charitable Christian service and traditions based upon vibrant worship services that have uplifted those who have found themselves counted among the least, the last, and the lost. We celebrate the fact that our church has maintained an unbroken tradition of instilling within every generation, since our founding, the Biblical duty to make certain that the next generation hears about the mighty acts of God. We demonstrate our love of God through community outreach that fosters kingdom building. “As we continue to agree together, in faith, there will be nothing that we will not be able to accomplish” (2016, Pendergrass, H.)
Please contact us for more information about our history. To God be the Glory.