Rev. Walter Clare resigned to do evangelistic work in his native country of Belize, Central America.

The Rev. John Harvell was elected Pastor of St. Paul. Rev. Harvell served for a short time. Bishop Hartwell was a deacon at that time. He nominated the Rev. Samuel Barnes. Rev. Barnes was elected Pastor and labored for 17 years.

The name was changed to New St. Paul Baptist Church in 1971. A great change was made at that time. New St. Paul moved from Flower and Myrtle Streets to Pacific and Fourth Streets. They labored there for fourteen years.

New St. Paul worshipped at The Star Light Baptist Church for one year at the 8:00 AM service.

New St. Paul purchased the property at 208 E. Camille St., in 1986. Rev. Samuel Barnes resigned on July 26, 1989. A business meeting was held on August 1, 1989 which was conducted by the late Rev. T. J. Hollins. Rev. Dr. Jimmy Hartwell was elected Pastor. We labored at 208 E. Camille St. for five years. With the leading of the Lord, Dr. Hartwell moved us to our present location on April 1, 1993. With God, all things are possible. He (God) has been good to New St. Paul. “We have come this far by faith.”
The membership grew. The Word of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has been preached. Missionaries, Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists, Ministers and many deacons have gone forth.

We are counting our blessings every day.

In 1994 Min. Greg Colby, a Lieutenant in the Air Force, was licensed by Dr. Jimmy Hartwell just before he and his family were transferred to Orange, Texas. He became a Pastor in Orange, Texas and was ordained there by Dr. Jimmy Hartwell.

In November, 1995, a new church was birthed out of New St. Paul, the 2nd Corinthians Baptist Church of Long Beach, California, pastured by the Rev. J. E. Thomas.
Other Ministers and Evangelists who were licensed and/or ordained by Bishop Hartwell were Min. Larry Barbara-1990, Rev. Vincent Kirby-1991, Dr. Maxine Hartwell, Evangelist Melba Jenkins-1997, Rev. Emmett Bowers-2003, Rev. Earl Wyatt-2003, Rev. Lorenzo Edwards-2004, and Min. Karen Ashley-2004. In 2003, Minister DeShun Moore preached his first sermon at New St. Paul at the age of 16. Bishop Hartwell trained these men and women of God under the leadership and anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Bishop Hartwell has faithfully shepherded the sheep at New St. Paul for 15-1/2 years. We, the members of New St. Paul, have no excuse for not living holy. Bishop Hartwell has led us by example as he walked the walk, so the talk wouldn’t be fruitless. We are continuing on in the service of the Lord as Bishop Hartwell has led us in the past. Bishop Hartwell has left a legacy here at New St. Paul, one that we shall never, ever forget.

In July 2004, Bishop Hartwell announced that he was retiring from Pastoring effective December 31, 2004. He did retire, and it was a sad day for the New St. Paul members because Dr. Hartwell is truly a man after God’s own heart who fed us with love and understanding. However, at the same time, our hearts rejoiced because God promoted Bishop Hartwell to a greater work. Prior to his retirement from Pastoring, Bishop Hartwell appointed Rev. Lorenzo Edwards and wife Sister Sebrina Edwards, as Pastor and First Lady. Pastor Edwards had been an assistant pastor at New St. Paul for two years, and a member of the New St. Paul church family for ten years. The congregation was in agreement with this appointment.

Rev. Lorenzo Edwards is the present pastor of New St. Paul and has been from January 1, 2005 to the present. He has proven himself over the years to be worthy of this calling. He is a powerful man of God who preaches by example. Rev. Edwards is empowering the vision as he is standing on the shoulders of the giants who went on before him. Since Rev. Lorenzo Edwards’ service as pastor, God has continued to bless our church. The membership has grown, and has become more diverse. New St. Paul has a Radio Broadcast every Tuesday nights at 10:15 p.m. on KTYM Radio Station 1460 AM, and on their website www.KTYM.com. New St. Paul has a newsletter that is being sent out via email worldwide with our current events, and announcements, and a very popular website www.newstpaul.com. Our Media Ministry is now providing CD’s and DVD’s of each worship service, and many have requested copies of Pastor Edwards‘ sermons, as he pours out His anointing upon His people of the revelation knowledge of the Word of God, under the power of the Holy Ghost, to God’s people during Bible Study and Sunday Morning Worship.

Pastor Edwards has a heart for the Seniors, Youth, and Homeless. New St. Paul has implemented more programs for the needy. God has given a vision to Pastor Edwards. That is to feed the hungry, and clothed the naked. After praying and believing in God, he has blessed our Church to bless others with the, “Feed My Sheep Ministry” and “Donate a Suit”. During the past years, New St. Paul has had an exciting youth oriented Christmas Eve program, and gave toys out to the youth.

In 2006, a new sign was installed to inform all of our worship times and services. On Father’s Day of 2007 Pastor Edwards ordained four Deacons, Deacon Vernal Johnson, Deacon Albert Moore, Deacon Jeffrey Ashley, and Deacon Henry Newton. We are thankful to the Almighty God for all His blessings toward us. For it is not because of what we’ve done, or not because of what we didn’t do, but is because of the grace of God, we’ve come this far – 38 years. We know that as a church family, that if we keep God first, live holy, come together in unity, give as God has instructed us to give, keep the faith, fast and pray together, love one another, God will bless our church.