Church History

New Heights Baptist Church, originally East McComb Baptist Church, was organized in the home of Manton Lee on August 3, 1901, with approximately twenty-five members. Mr. Lee’s home at that time was at 829 Pearl River Avenue. On the third Sunday in August these members met in a small building that stood on the very grounds where the present church building stands. A thick and shady sycamore tree stood in front of the small building where the handful of members rested and cooled from the August sun. On this third Sunday in 1901, Rev. S. W. Sibley delivered his first message. He read from the fourth chapter of Ephesians and chose the 15^th verse as his text. 

The membership was poor, the number was small and difficulties were many. Their faith under the leadership of various pastors grew strong and soon a Sunday School was organized and rooms were added at the rear of the building. The congregation and help of the Woman’s Missionary Society which was organized October 6, 1901, magnified the vision and possibilities of the church.

Under the leadership of Pastor Gill, the Sunday School annex on the east side of the auditorium was erected. Excavation under the auditorium where additional Sunday School space was provided and the erection of the giant tabernacle at the rear of church building proved to be very effective work of Pastor Gill. The highlights of evangelism shone forth from this tabernacle.

A new era, however, came upon the church when it was revealed that the membership was not receiving Christian training. In the coming of Pastor Porter, definite trends toward an educational program of training in the church were evident. This brought another crisis. More space was needed. In 1946, when Pastor Edwards came, he faced the task of converting the large tabernacle into a Sunday School building. Under his wise leadership- yet handicapped by limited funds- the tabernacle was utilized into an educational building. This gave growth and expansion to all interests of the church.

Rev. T.D. Sumrall, Sr. came as pastor in January 1953, and until his death in November 1967, led the church with strong emphasis on evangelism and stewardship. Properties adjacent to the church were purchased and utilized as Rev. Jimmy G. McGee came as pastor in March 1968, and soon thereafter began to stimulate the much prepared but dormant church building program. Beginning in August 1968, the “Old Church”, educational annex, and tabernacle were demolished and the grounds cleared. With only the auditorium in place, construction began on an educational facility to accommodate 500 in Bible Study. At a cost of approximately $300,000, this building and parking lot were completed in November 1969.

Pastors who served the church since the organization were:  

Bro. Rick came to East McComb as Pastor on April 1, 1992 and since then additional property was purchased adjacent to the parking lot. Both the auditorium and the educational building have been re-roofed, a new 30 passenger bus and 15 passenger van was purchased and to date 257 baptisms and 334 additional members have been added to the fellowship. Under Pastor Kennedy’s leadership, in 1998, the Locust Street Baptist Church property was received as a trust to East McComb upon their closure and the property given to the newly organized New Hope Mission. In 1999 New Hope Mission was constituted with full church status.

In September of 1999 East McComb voted to begin the process of relocation. In 2000, a vote was taken to purchase 17.94 acres of land located off I-55 and 98 West in Summit. Total cost of the land was $184, 523.40. In April 2002, Mr. Jerry Terrell of Security Church Finance was hired as our consultant and on April 18 this year, ground breaking services were held at our Northwest Campus.

Bro. Rick has recently written these words. “It has been a long journey. Countless hours of praying, meeting, studying, and proposing has gone into this process. I am so thankful for a church and leadership that has followed the Lord’s leading each step of the way.”

East McComb’s history is rich in spirit and tradition, and we are forever grateful to the many who dedicated themselves to the Lord’s Church over these 100 + years. As in every phase of history, one chapter closes and another opens. We look forward with great anticipation to the NEXT 100 YEARS OF MINISTRY.