Grace New Life Center

For over 60 years the New Rochelle Church of God of Prophecy has been a part of the community, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the sole purpose of seeing lives transformed from sin and death to a life of hope and eternal salvation. In 1949, the late Bishop H. Thurston organized the church in the home of Brother Witt Brown (later appointed Deacon) located at 26 Lafayette Avenue, New Rochelle. Sister Hannah Brown was appointed Pastor at the time. Pastor Brown served the church in pastoral ministry from 1949 until her passing in 1955. Later that same year, Brother David Smith was appointed Pastor, by New York State Overseer, J.F. Aites. Unfortunately, Brother Smith become seriously ill after only 6 months in his pastorate and was unable to serve. In 1956, Sister Elizabeth Herring was appointed Pastor. Her testimony was a determination to build God’s kingdom and through her efforts to church began to experience growth.

With Pastor Herring’s leadership, the church moved from Lafayette Avenue to a bigger facility at 173 Huguenot Avenue. Additional souls were converted and became members of the church. As always, when the Lord is blessing His people, the enemy gets angry. The church started to experience some set backs. The city of New Rochelle purchased the property and the church had to find a new location. They moved to a building on Mechanic Street, but the community started to petitioned the church and after another few months they were on the move again. The church held steadfast in faith, and through the efforts of the Pastor and Deacon Witt Brown they were able to secure another location at 218 Union Avenue. The Lord began to bless the church and they experienced much growth.

In August 1965, Bishop Willie R. Boone was appointed Pastor and the Lord continued to bless the work and the church continued to experienced spiritual and numerical growth. Pastor Boone served this ministry until July 1971. In August 1971, Bishop John C. Newkirt was appointed Pastor. With much excitement and a broader vision to move the church forward, Bishop Newkirt began to work with the members and inspired them to trust the Lord for a bigger house of worship. Through hard work and determination, under the leadership of Bishop Newkirt, the Lord blessed this local ministry and only after a year, they were able to secure a mortgage and purchased the property at 128 Winthrop Avenue, New Rochelle where the church currently worships. The church has gone thru many transitions since 1972, but through it all the Lord has been faithful. There have been several pastoral changes, as well as spiritual and numerical growth in New Rochelle. After Bishop Newkirt’s pastorate, he is now retired from active ministry and resides in Georgia, the succession pastors for New Rochelle included the following:

Bishop Herbert A. Ferguson (deceased), Evangelist Willa B. Smith (resides in Georgia), Evangelist Bruce Scotton (resides in Florida), Bishop Calvin C. Jones (deceased), Bishop George L. Jones (deceased), Bishop Eric J. Leamy (resides in New York). New Rochelle’s next chapter is now being written. We are believing God for the “unlocking of possibilities.” The word of God declares, “behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Bishop Orville R. Beckford, Sr., along with his wife, Minister Deana, was appointed pastor for our local church on August 1, 2011. Since his arrival, the church is experiencing a mighty move of God. Lives are being transformed, and souls are being born into the kingdom of God as the truth of God’s word is preached and taught so every man can understand their true purpose in life.

Under the inspired leadership of Bishop Beckford, we have now adopted the name,“Grace New Life Center“. It is amazing what grace can do! Our ministry is focused on God’s grace and love. Our hope is that all who enters our worship center will experience God’s grace and recognized that no matter where they are, what they’ve done, or their circumstance in life; they will know and feel God’s love, and that Grace is available for all their need.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

To God be the Glory!