The History of Greater Bethel Baptist Church

The Early Years

A group of 17 believers came together to organize the Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in 1963 at 232 West Kinney Street, Newark, NJ. Rev. Clifford A. Porter was called to be the first pastor. After many families were added to the church, Greater Bethel relocated to 90 Charlton Street, Newark, NJ where they continued to worship until the congregation outgrew its location. Rev. Porter saw the urgent need to aain move to a larger building and was led to purchase a former sewing manufacturing plant at 305 Morris Avenue, Newark, NJ.

In 1965, the congregation marched from 90 charlton Street to our present location. It was joyous time of singing God’s praises to the dream being finally realized to have a place to accommodate this growing congregation. IT was Rev. Porter’s dream that the church would be paid for and beautified. Every First Sunday Night we would have quartet signings where the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Julius Cheeks, Sli & The Supreme angels, Swanee Quintet, Sensational Six and other groups would come by whenever in the city. Rev. Porter served faithfully until the Lord called him home in 1979.

We mourned the loss of our founder for a year under the leadership of our Assistant Pastor, Rev. John Sherman. Soon after, we began the process of looking for a new leader. In 1980 after much prayer we were lead to extend the call to Rev. Joe D. McClain, the Assistant PAstor of the Grace Temple Baptist Church, Newar, NJ. Soon after his arrival he carried on the dream of our founder and began to beautify the church. With a complete facelift of the exterior, the purchase of new pews, remodeling of the Pastor’s Study and Secretary’s Office and the purchase of a church van.

Pastor McClain began to initiate his own vision to move the sanctuary on the main level. With a total renovation of the church which included the sanctuary, new classrooms, a music room, a Church Clerk Office, larger men/women rooms with a dressing lounge, a heated baptismal pool and paving the parking lot.

Moving Foreword

On August 20, 1990, we again sang and praised God for the “new” Greater Bethel as we marched into our new sanctuary on the main level. Rev. Eugene Walker of the Congregational Baptist Church preached that morning “from Yonder to Here”. We  had a great day in the Lord as we celebrated the hard work of the members and their willingness to accept the vision of Pastor McClain.

The Lord is truly blessing us as a church under the faithful leadership of PAstor McClain. In 1995, after seeing the need to always be relevant to the times and tro progress we were blessed to purchase computers and had a computer instructor to teach within our church.

In 2001, Pastor McClain had a vision to expand the church, not just the building to the ministry. We now have a Wednesday Noonday Prayer, New Members Class, Youth Bible Class and instruction classed on new membership. Our Adult Bible Class has grown tremendously over the years.I his vision, Pastor McClain saw the need to encourage our youth in this millennium to become the future church leaders.

Always endeavoring to make our place of worship beautiful in 2003, new light fixtures were installed in the sanctuary and fencing in the parking lot.

In 2005, the church was again refaced and new windows were installed.

In 2006, the dining room was repainted and the kitchen was remodeled.

In 2007, the pastor’s study, men/women bathrooms were remodeled. Also, additional improvements to the kitchen and dining area were completed.

Pastor McClain’s vision also includes a new wing being built. To accomplish this great undertaking, we are asking God to open the doors to acquire the city owned lots next to us and add more members to work towards this goal.

We are blessed most of all spiritually under the capable and visionary leadership of our Pastor, Joe D. McClain. We the leaders and members of Greater Bethel are eternally grateful to have such a powerful preacher, visionary, and friend to the Body of Christ.

Pastor McClain, we love and pray that we celebrate many more Church anniversaries together as Pastor & People.

Moving Foreword

On August 20, 1990, we again sang and praised God for the “new” Greater Bethel as we marched into our new sanctuary on the main level. Rev. Eugene Walker of the Congregational Baptist Church preached that morning “from Yonder to Here”. We  had a great day in the Lord as we celebrated the hard work of the members and their willingness to accept the vision of Pastor McClain.

The Lord is truly blessing us as a church under the faithful leadership of PAstor McClain. In 1995, after seeing the need to always be relevant to the times and tro progress we were blessed to purchase computers and had a computer instructor to teach within our church.

In 2001, Pastor McClain had a vision to expand the church, not just the building to the ministry. We now have a Wednesday Noonday Prayer, New Members Class, Youth Bible Class and instruction classed on new membership. Our Adult Bible Class has grown tremendously over the years.I his vision, Pastor McClain saw the need to encourage our youth in this millennium to become the future church leaders.

Always endeavoring to make our place of worship beautiful in 2003, new light fixtures were installed in the sanctuary and fencing in the parking lot.

In 2005, the church was again refaced and new windows were installed.

In 2006, the dining room was repainted and the kitchen was remodeled.

In 2007, the pastor’s study, men/women bathrooms were remodeled. Also, additional improvements to the kitchen and dining area were completed.

Pastor McClain’s vision also includes a new wing being built. To accomplish this great undertaking, we are asking God to open the doors to acquire the city owned lots next to us and add more members to work towards this goal.

We are blessed most of all spiritually under the capable and visionary leadership of our Pastor, Joe D. McClain. We the leaders and members of Greater Bethel are eternally grateful to have such a powerful preacher, visionary, and friend to the Body of Christ.

Pastor McClain, we love and pray that we celebrate many more Church anniversaries together as Pastor & People.