On Sunday March 16, 1980, Bishop Raymond E. Watts and Dr. Anita Y. Watts, were assigned and installed as the Pastor and First Lady of New Gethsemane Church of God in Christ, by the late Bishop J.A. Blake Sr. and his Administrative Assistant at the time, the late Bishop Benjamin Crouch. New Gethsemane was in its 13th year of the church’s existence in 1980 and occupied an 11,000 square foot building located at 177 W. Monterey Ave, Pomona CA. Bishop Watts was 26 years old and Dr. Watts was 25 years old when they began this new chapter in their lives.

 

After six years of their pastoral leadership, New Gethsemane celebrated its mortgage burning service. The Late Bishop Benjamin Crouch, who had installed Bishop and Dr. Watts six years prior, preached and conducted the celebration service commending the young couple for their leadership. The church was experiencing rapid growth, but the newly dedicated building was deteriorating and needed major refurbishment. Under the leadership of Bishop and Dr. Watts, the church was totally renovated and given a new look, both inside and out. The refurbishment project took several years and was completed in 1989.

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