About Us

The History of New Gethsemane Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA

Gethsemane Baptist Church was organized in 1926 under the administration of the late Reverend Pinkney Burnam. After a short time, the church moved to 1747 Cambridge Street. Reverend Burnam served there until God called him from labor to reward.
Rev. Samuel B. Jordan, Jr., Pastor
NGBC
1937: The Church was chartered and the name changed to New Gethsemane Baptist Church.
1945: Relocated to 1516 Parrish St. where Rev. Amos Turner served until his resignation in 1947.
1947-1958: Rev. Woody Gray, Rev. Pervis McKenny, Rev. E. W. Wiley, and Rev. Wallace Caldwell joined.
1958: Rev. Samuel B. Jordan, Sr., is called to pastor thirty four members, including two deacons.
1964: Relocated to 917 E Chelten Ave with a $75,000 mortgage.
1969: Cornerstone laid and mortgage burned.
1982: The Church continued to grow and we started an 8:00 a.m. service.
1985: Ground breaking for our new edifice.
NGBC
1985: Not able to secure a mortgage from the bank, our Pastor and members stepped out on faith and made the decision to pay as we go. The contractor never had to stop building and with God's, help we were able to pay $1.8 million.
1988: We marched into our new edifice. Pastor Samuel B. Jordan, Sr., delivered the first message and twelve people came to Christ. Rev. John Gaines, Pastor of El Bethel B.C., in Trenton, New Jersey, delivered the second message. Cornerstone was laid on June 5, 1988.
1992: Contractor paid in full.
1994: We acquired our first parking lot.
1995: We have our second parking lot.
1996: Rev. Samuel B. Jordan, Jr., becomes Co-Pastor.
2010: Rev. Samuel B. Jordan, Jr., becomes Senior Pastor. To God be the Glory!
First Family
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