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New Vester Church marks 150th anniversaryThe community is invited to the Sunday morning celebration serviceBy Amanda JenkinsTimes Staff WriterFamilies (torn all parts of the United States are expected at the lfrhth church anniversary on Sunday at New Vester Missionary Baptist Church The church, located in Sims, is inviting the community to join them in a church service on Sunday morning at 10 to celebrate.“It really is a very special place, and I feel very blessed to serve in the pastoral role for the con gregation and the community, said the Rev. Jeffrey Simms Simms waselected pastor in 2001.Under his leader ship, a building committee was formed to begin work improving the church building. The church body was able to march into a newsanctuary on Jan. 4,2004, singing the hymn. “We’re Marching to Zion.”New Vester was organized in 1865 as a bush harbor. The harbor was a scaffold with bushes on top and was given the name Vester Church at aNew Vester Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate its heritage Sunday.place called Parker’s Island. In 1891, the church was relocated to a new site the current location on Byrd Road. Deacons Harry Dunstonand NedKent contributed lumber for a new church building, which was renamed New Vester Missionary Baptist Church. 1 he Rev. Nick An derson was the pastor atthe time I ie served as pas tor from 1891 until 1903.Following Anderson, the Rev. W.H. Mitchner served from 1903 until his death in 1953. Without a pastorfor two years, the church then elected the Rev. I II. Bryant who served as pastor for a short time before resigning. Some renovations were made to the church under the Rev. A.A. ( rum who pastured there from 1956 to 1970.Beginning in 1970, the church was led by the Rev. ST. Ballentine for 30years until his resignation in 2000.1 'ruler his leadership, the church built bathrooms and installed air condition mg'. An educational wing was added, and a dining hall was built.In the early yearn, t he first sanctuary was also a place of education. Some of the older members of the church attended school there as children.The church has grown from meeting at the hush harbor to its present day brick building. 1 his is the church’s 11th year in this sanctuary.On Sunday, the service will involve worship as well as recognition of certain people in the church. Simms said that one woman has served onthe board of the churchfor 50 years. Artifacts and historical items will he dis played at the celebration, including early uniforms, photos and restored furniture from the early pulpit.I he choir s of the church will combine to sing special music during the service, and following there will he an old-fashioneddinner.Simms grew up in Wilson, graduating fromHunt I ligh School in1986. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and attended seminary at Duke I adversity. 11 is root s sink deep in Wilson, even though he now lives in Raleigh. I le said that he had always heard about New Vester Church when hr* lived locally, as the churchhas a good reputation.1 le has led the church body in renovations and expansion, such as work on the narthex for enlargement and allowance of more natural light. Members of the church say that«/they feel blessed for Simms’ guidance and vision.
Newspaper Details
Wilson Times
Wilson, North Carolina, US
Wed, Sep 02, 2015
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Lisa H.
USA 04 Jul 2018
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