HISTORY

Church of the New Covenant was organized on October 2, 1969 by a small group of Christians in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Andrew McLemore at 5548 West Outer Drive. The church was organized with a three-fold purpose.

1. Creating a house of worship whose influence and leadership would be felt in a community.

2. Spreading the gospel of Christ and communication an understanding of Christian principles relevant for both young and old.

3. Creating a building facility with an “open-door” policy ready to serve a community. 

A more specific organization took place the following evening, October 3, 1969 at the Barksdale Funeral home with the Rev. Jack Ealy, pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist, and the Rev. William J. Bishop, pastor of Central Baptist church in charge.

At this meeting a name for the church was presented. The name, Church of the New Covenant, by Deacon Henry Moore in the form of a motion, seconded by Mother Sammie Thomas and accepted by the membership present, as the official name for the church. Later, however, the church became incorporated as Church of the New Covenant Baptist of Detroit.

After the group decided on a name for the church, the name of a leader was presented. Mrs. Sammie Thomas moved that the Rev. Richard M. Randall be called as pastor of Church of the New Covenant for life. The motion was seconded by Mr. Joseph Sanders and unanimously carried and approved the entire membership present.

The first and second Sundays in October 1969 found the members of this church in worship and communion at Barksdale Funeral Home, however, the temporary place of worship changed by the third Sunday in October to Hampton school auditorium where Church of the New Covenant held worship services until November 8, 1970, the day of entry into its present church home.