New Salem Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate its 87th anniversary and homecoming on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. The community is invited to come help them celebrate this occasion, and a special invitation is given to past members.

– Rev. Harold White is pastor of the church, which is located at the corner of Lafayette and Ohio Streets in Okmulgee.

The late Rev. Morris Behn organized New Salem Baptist Church in the late 1930s. The congregation gathered in a small house on the corner of Buffalo and Ohio on Mrs. Russel’s property, and lated moved to a small frame house, where the fellowship is currently located.

The church made rapid progress. Still under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Behn, in 9151, the deacons, pastor and trustees began plans to build the current church, and in 1954, construction was complete. At the time, the structure was made of cement blocks. There were nine deacons serving the church. 1959, Rev. Behn left to move to California.

In December 1959, Rev. William A. Haynes accepted pastorship. Under his leadership, New Salem Baptist paid off the church. In 1964, Rev. Haynes left to preach in Lawton.

In 1967, Rev. I.C. Davis accepted pastorship, but moved on the same year.

In 1968, Rev. M.A. Wallace took over as pastor, and under his leadership, much progress was made. The church began operating on tithes and offerings, the structure was bricked and new pews, pulpit furniture and lounge furniture were acquired. The annex was also remodeled, and the very first church van was purchased. Central heat and air was installed and the parking lot was paved. Five deacons were ordained and a watch care member was called into ministry. He served until 1989, when his health began to fail.

Rev. Charles Harris came to fill in for Rev. Wallace, and in 1990, Rev. Wallace resigned.

Under Harris’ leadership, a new baptistry was installed, office equipment and a new van were purchased and a garage was built onto the church parsonage. Rev. Elbert Moore was elected as an associate minister and director of Christian education, and one deacon was accepted. Rev. Harris resigned in 1997.

That year, Rev. Larry Tisdale accepted the position as pastor, purchasing a new sound system and keyboard for the church. Five members accepted the call into ministry. In March 2000, Rev. Tisdale resigned.

New Salem Baptist went through a transition and was without a pastor until December 2000, when Rev. Willie Antwine, Sr. was elected pastor. Under his leadership, the church began a healing process that could come only through prayer, faith and good shepherding. Several renovations were completed, including a new sound system, carpet and additional bathrooms. Membership increased as parishioners joined and returned.

New Salem Baptist, since its inception has had eight pastors, and that is a blessing in itself. Deacons who have served include Dec. Blessingale, Herring, Cotton, Austin Behn, Scroggins, Kennedy, Morgan, J.P. Wallace, Cotfrell, Anderson, Biglow, Reed, Jones, Bennie Taylor, Tom Penn, P. Colbert, Leman Lewis, Eli Behn, Sr., Leroy Devonshire, McCargo, Block, David Winn, John Taylor, Milton Edmondson, George Johnson and, most recently, Otis O’Neal, Marcus Overstreet and Harold Cottrell.

Those who accepted their calling into ministry while serving at New Salem include Rev. Little Wallace, Dec. E Behn, Bro. Chad Thompson, Dec. Milton Edmondson, Sis. Anna Tisdale and Sis. Judy Thompson.

A lot of history is hidden, but the foundation is laid and the youth will have this to build upon. This tradition was started in November 1990, and we hope to continue celebrating for many years. We cannot say exactly how many years New Salem Baptist Church and its family has actually been in existence, but we thank God for the time it has been a refuge for many.

Under the leadership of Pastor Harold White, the church has grown in membership. The congregation continues to meet spiritual needs first and foremost while helping people wherever they hurt. Numbers continue to grow as does our spirit and maturity. We continue to baptize new members and equip our disciples.

Nobody can deny that God has brought us a long way. Thank you for your support and participation in New Salem Missionary Baptist Church. While some have gone from labor to reward, we are truly blessed to be a congregation that is “alive and well.”

God Bless!