OUR STORY

The New Springfield Baptist Church was organized on September 17, 1927 in Atlanta, GA on the corner of William and Parker Streets in a storefront building discovered by Mrs. Nellie King. The Reverend Clem Johnson served as moderator for the first organizational meeting. The devotional service was led by Rev. W M. Newman, Rev. J.C. Casey and Sister Pearl Williams,  after which the following officers were elected: The Reverend Clem Johnson (Interim Pastor): Deacon Henry Elder, (Chairman of the Deacon Board): Sister Nancy Latimore, (Mother of the Church); Sister Mamie Neal, (President of the Mission); Sister Emma Brooks, (Secretary); Sister Nellie Marbury, (Treasurer): Sister Thomas, (President of the Choir), and Deacon Frank Reynolds, (Superintendent of the Sunday School).

 

MEMBERS

Other members present were Bro. Harold Johnson, Sis. Nellie King, Sis. Laura Coleman, Sis. Lucy Ann Rucker, Sis. Fannie Davis, Bro. Harold Frasier, Bro. Roy Johnson, Sis. Patsy Evans, Sis. Pearl Latimore, Sis Marie Bridges, Bro. Willie Harper, Deacon Jake Harper, Deacon Charlie Prayer, Mother Mamie Neal, Mother Julia Harper, Mother Anna Brantley, Mother Laura Ferrell, Mother Martha Sims, Sis. Maggie McKinney and others.

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TIMELINE

The church moved to the corner of Fowler and Parker Streets in early 1928. On April 18, 1928, The Reverend T.B. Brantley was called as the first official pastor of the church. Reverend Brantley served as pastor for four years (1928-1932).  On October 28, 1932, Reverend T. E. Weems was called as pastor and Sis. Susie Willingham became Secretary. Reverend Weems served as pastor for seven years (1932 - 1939), Sis. Susie Willingham served as the church secretary for fifty years (1932 – 1982).
 

In 1935, Deacon T. S. McKinney was elected Chairman of the Deacon Board, where he served faithfully for 24 years until his death in 1959. The church met on November 10, 1938 for the purpose of calling Reverend W. W. White as pastor. Reverend White served as pastor for seven years (1932 -1939).
 

In 1939, the church moved to Currier Street and fellowshipped with the White Rock Baptist Church until construction of the New Springfield Baptist Church was completed in 1941. We entered the new church at 182 Linden Avenue on the Second Sunday in March of that year.  One month later, on April 17th, the Choir Association of the State of Georgia was organized by the Late Reverend W. W. White and Mrs. Maggie McKinney. During the tenure of Reverend White, the church experienced a tremendous amount of growth in membership and formed many new auxiliaries such as the Wedding of Roses, which was conceived n 1944 by Mrs. Gladys Porter of Choir #2, where Mrs. Mary Carter Young served as President. The Wedding of Roses, which was conceived in 1944, by Mrs. Gladys Porter of Choir #2, where Mrs. Mary Young Served as President. The Wedding of Roses was a church tradition and has since been carried out by Mrs. Young and is performed in many churches across the city and state.
 

In the fall of 1948, the Revered C. L. Smallwood was called as pastor, and served until the spring of 1949. The Reverend R. F. Matthews then served as acting pastor until November 8, 1949, when the Reverend W.M. Willis of Forest park, Georgia was chosen as pastor. Reverend Willis served the church for thirty years (Nov 1949 - April, 1980) During this period the church made great progress and formed several new auxiliaries. Also during this period Deacon Usher Robinson was elected chairman of the Deacon Board (December 1960) where he served for twenty-one years.
 

Reverend Willis and the following members of the Deacon Board: T. S. McKinney, (President),  Deacons Hal Johnson, Edward Dozier, Haralson Donaldson, Pete Hardnet,  Henry Blackwell,  Walter Wood and  Jerry Peeks were instrumental in hiring a contractor to repair the basement and add three rooms onto the back of the church. Windows were added and the church was painted inside and outside, seats were added, rugs were purchased for the floor along with a microphone.  A new organ was purchased along with two new pianos, three water coolers, a new awning for the front of the church and a new range was purchased for the pastor’s study downstairs.
 

More than four hundred and fifty new members were added to the church.  The church on Linden Avenue was sold for $18,000.00 and with the diligent efforts and financial support of our Trustee Board and Reverend Willis we were able to purchase the church at 1537 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy. NW (formerly Bankhead Highway) in 1964 for $75,000.00. Members of that Board were Deacons Lawrence Dillard, D. W. Jackson, Daniel Wilson, Alfred Graves, Harold Johnson and Obie Sailors. Reverend Willis served as New Springfield Baptist Church pastor for thirty (30) years (1949-1979).
 

The Reverend Robert Frank Broughton was called as Pastor on July 30, 1980 and assumed his Pastorate on the Third Sunday in August 1980. The installation service which was conducted by the late Reverend Cameron M. Alexander (former President of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia) was held on November 16, 1980. Approximately one year later, on December 7, 1981, Deacon Harold Smith was elected Chairman of the Deacon Board where he served for eighteen years (1982-1999). 
 

During Reverend Broughton tenure as Pastor of The New Springfield Baptist Church several Deacons were elected to serve as Chairman of the Deacon Board; Deacon Willie F. McWorthy (2000 – 2003); Deacon James A. Thomas (2004 – 2008); Deacon Jimmy Gowan (2009 – 2017); Deacon Charles Julks (2018 – present).
 

Under Rev. Broughton’s divinely inspired leadership, New Springfield experienced tremendous growth at our previous location at 1537 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy., NW (formerly Bankhead Hwy.)  in Atlanta, GA, many renovations and improvements were made to the church building and an existing renovation note was paid-in-full. The church acquired property and demolished the two houses on that property to develop a paved parking area to implement a bus ministry. The Lord moved New Springfield Baptist Church from a fund-raising church to a people obedient to His Word who brought their tithes and offerings to God.
 

Under divine guidance, New Springfield grew and prospered. It was quite apparent that we would need a large and improved edifice with adequate Christian education accommodations.  In 1988, we contracted with Calvary Temple at 2560 Sylvan Road in East Point, GA to purchase their facility. The final sale price was $767,000.  We paid $300,000 out of our savings, $167,000 from the proceeds of our sale of the Bankhead location to Mount Gilead Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA, and we borrowed $300,000, which was payable in fifteen (15) years.
 

On August 21, 1988, the Lord inspired Rev. Broughton to lead us to our current location at 2560 Sylvan Road, East Point, GA. We travelled by a sheriff led caravan from Bankhead Highway to Sylvan Road.
 

In August of 1997, the church mortgage was paid in full, 6 years early. On September 21, 1997 Reverend Broughton along with the members of New Springfield Baptist Church held a Mortgage Burning ceremony celebrating the mortgage being paid in full.
 

By walking closely with God and being His instrument, Pastor Broughton guided New Springfield through many successes. Since occupying the Sylvan Road location, the church continued its tradition of growth. Additional buses were purchased for the Bus Ministry, in 1983 we prepared Thanksgiving baskets for those families who were  in need during the holiday season, in 1989 the prison ministry was organized at Key Road, the ministry at Georgia Regional was organized and continued until 2010 and renovation of the sanctuary was completed in 1996 and 1997.
 

Pastor Broughton was instrumental in introducing our youth to the state General Missionary Baptist Congress of Christian Education as well as introducing a few adult members to the National Baptist Sunday School Congress of Christian Education.
 

Being a “Fisher of Men,” Rev. Broughton ordained thirteen deacons; Dea. Robert Dillard, Dea. Charles Julks, Dea, Lawrence Jackson, Dea. Webster Hall, Sr., Dea. John Hall, Dea. Joseph Williams, Sr., Dea. James Thomas, Dea. Samuel Evans, Dea. Emory Ponder, Dea. David Blake, Dea. Ellis Walton, Dea. Abraham Jackson, Sr. and Dea. Fred Brooks. He licensed twelve “Sons of the Church:” Rev. Leon Rittenberry, Rev. Melvin Harper, Rev. John Hall, Rev. Harold Hughley, Sr., Rev. Douglas Avery, Sr., Rev. Robin Cole, Rev. Milton Broughton, Rev. Tony Cole, Rev. Walter Holston, Bishop Dreyfus Smith, Rev. DeAngelo Julks and Rev. Clifford Cooley, he ordained seven “Preachers of the Gospel:” Rev. Leon Rittenberry, Rev. Melvin Harper, Rev. Harold Hughley, Sr., Rev. Douglas Avery, Rev. Robin Cole, Rev. Milton Broughton and Rev. Clifford Cooley. Under Rev. Broughton leadership, New Springfield grew tremendously both spiritually and financially. Reverend Broughton served as pastor for 38 years (1980 -2018), retiring July 30, 2018.
 

The Reverend Daniel B. Quinn was called as Pastor on September 7, 2019, he assumed his Pastorate on the following Sunday September 15, 2019 preaching his first sermon “Things Are About To Get Better” St. John 11:21. The installation service which was presided by Bishop J.D. Means and conducted by Bishop Dreyfus Smith (Wings of Faith Worldwide Ministries); Pastor T.C. Raven (Inspired Body of Christ Bible Church); Pastor Michael Benton (Fairfield Baptist Church); and Pastor Johnathan Mitchell (St. John Missionary Baptist Church) was held on November 17, 2019. Reverend Quinn's pastoral duties ended November 2021.

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August 23, 2020 Reverend Quinn ordained eight deacons; Dea. Tommy Amour, Dea. Reggie Bussey, Dea. Rodney Fowler, Dea. Gary Hunter, Dea. Willie Jones, Dea. Fidel Love, Dea. Dana Robinson, and Dea. Adrian Thomas, Sr.
 

As the Word of the Lord teaches us, The Lord gives and He takes away. In the past few years, He has called home many charter members of the church.  Their memories will remain with us forever. At the same time, He continues to add new souls to the Church roll.
 

May God continue to Bless this church, its pastor, its members as we all strive to live according to the teachings and example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.