The New Canaan Baptist Church, founded by Dr. Louis R. Blakey, Sr., was organized September 7, 1974. God allowed Pastor Blakey with only eleven additional members; Bessie T. Blakey, Erman C. Branch, Katherine Branch, Arthur Comer, Jr., Theresha Comer, Joan Howlett, Annie Jones, Shadee Mahdi, Irene Price, Gloria Simms and Betty Winbush, to grow His church to now over 450 members. After months of worshipping in various donated facilities, in August 1975 an opportunity presented itself for this small body of members to negotiate a contract to purchase our first permanent sanctuary at 2223 Keswick Avenue, in the Oakgrove section of South Richmond. Although we had limited funds, we relied on God to provide-- and provide He did. Two of our members pledged their property as collateral. This, along with personal loans from other members, allowed the Church to approach the bargaining table with the sellers. Even with these resources we fell short of the necessary funds to obtained bank financing-- But God! He saw our needs and met them. The sellers, The Southside Missionary Alliance Church, financed the balance of our bank loan. On March 8, 1976 we were recognized as an organized body of Christ, a church, and approved by a council of ministers. On November 25, 1978, at the Zion Baptist Church in South Richmond, Deacon Erman C. Branch became the first deacon to be ordained from the newly organized church. The first son and educational minister, Rev. Horace Jones, was licensed on January 28, 1979, and ordained on August 10, 1980. God continued to increase us spiritually and financially, and we were able to purchase adjacent properties on May 2, 1984 at 2221 Keswick Avenue, and on May 9, 1985 at 2219 Keswick Avenue. In addition, in December 1987 God blessed us with a twenty-nine-passenger bus and many other church furnishings. Between 1987 and 1989 we were able to pay off all personal loans and the two original mortgages, as well as brick the exterior of the church. August 1991 marked the completion of renovations started in February 1991 that added a new baptismal pool, remodeled the basement, added a fellowship hall, allowed for handicap accessibility and added a paved parking area. On February 22, 1994 adjacent property at 2217 Keswick Avenue was purchased. Still allowing God to work in His miraculous ways, in 1997 the fulfillment of a vision given Dr. Blakey was manifested. Our congregation was growing and our current facility became inadequate to meet the growth. God allowed us to negotiate a contract on the former Westover Hills Theater, our current sanctuary, at 4712 Forest Hill Avenue. He also sent a dedicated helper, Deacon Anthony French, Sr., to aid us in the acquisition, financing and massive renovation necessary to occupy the facility. Deacon and Mrs. French also gave generously of their financial resources to the church. Our first service in our new sanctuary was held on Sunday, March 1, 1998. On September 30, 1998 property was purchased at 4700 Forest Hill Avenue, which is referred to as our Annex, where we hold Sunday-School classes and other meetings. Since moving to our new facility, God has been giving the increase. Many deacons and ministers have been called into the service of our Lord and Savior, and four ministers have been ordained; Rev. Bernard Melton, October 7, 2000, paternal twins, Rev. Lois Blakey Paige and Rev. Louis R. Blakey, Jr. (the pastor's son and daughter), March 22, 2003, and Rev. JoAnne Scott, March 7, 2004. In October 2003 God blessed us to be able to pay off the mortgage on our Annex and to celebrate this victory in grand fashion with a semi-formal banquet for our members on November 9, 2003. In early 2004, Pastor Blakey, Sr. announced his retirement from New Canaan to be effective December 31, 2004. A series of special events (Banquets and Services) to honor the 30 years of service of Pastor and First Lady Blakey were held during the months of November and December 2004. Rev. Lois Blakey-Paige and Rev. Louis R. Blakey, Jr. will began leading the church as co-pastors beginning January 1, 2005. On April 17, 2005, Pastors Paige and Blakey, Jr. were officially installed as the Pastors of the New Canaan Baptist Church family. Pastors Paige and Blakey, Jr., along with the Ministers of Outreach & Evangelism, Elder William Mickey and Rev. Jackie Mickey, on June 2, 2005 traveled to Liberia, Africa for two weeks for the first missions trip sponsored by New Canaan. On Sunday, January 15, 2006 Elders Johnnie L. Brown, William Mickey, Jr., Margaret Minnicks and JoAnne E. Scott were consecrated for service to their appointed ministries at New Canaan Baptist Church. Three Deacons, Catherine Smith Jones, Rose Jones and Blanche E. Murphy, were ordained to service for New Canaan Baptist Church on March 5, 2006. On April 6, 2006, Deacon Rose Jones, William Lampie, Margaret Owens, and Deacon George Wilkerson became the first graduates of New Canaan's Evangelism Explosion Ministry Team, under the direction of Elder William Mickey, Jr. and Rev. Jackie Mickey. We thank God for the way that He has blessed New Canaan throughout the years, and we truly believe and trust that THE BEST IS YET TO COME! |
