On August 20, 1939, a group of people from several area churches met at 3:00 PM at the freshly completed Heights Elementary School. They gathered together for the express purpose of organizing a new church in Texas City. The meeting was chaired by Rev. Roland P Hood, the pastor of First Baptist Church. After a season of prayer, scripture reading, and discussion, 100 of the people present organized a new work. A tract of land was donated to the new church by W.P. Ludwig and Heights Baptist Church was on its way, ready to serve the Lord and the community.


Rev. J. E. Bagby became the first pastor of Heights on January 6, 1940. During his five years of service as pastor, the original sanctuary and parsonage were completed. In 1940, Galveston Baptist Association came into being and our church joined it. By 1942, Heights had grown to a membership of more than 250 and was engaged in numerous mission activities including participating in giving to the Cooperative Program.


From 1945 to 1950, Rev. W.T. Bratton pastored our church. During his years of service, the church note was paid off and additional facilities were added. Rev. C.C. Beatty was called to become the pastor of Heights in 1950. One of the important acts which took place during his three years of ministry was the ground breaking for a new sanctuary. Rev. Bill Turner served as the pastor of our church from 1952 to 1954. One of the greatest evangeIistic efforts in our church’s history took place while he was pastor During an extended evangelistic meeting, more than 100 professions of faith were recorded.


In 1954, Rev. J.R. Tomlinson became the pastor of Heights Baptist Church. Under his able leadership, additional property was purchased and more buildings were completed and furnished. In 1961, our church suffered $5,000.00 damage at the hands of Hurricane Carla. Rebuilding and restoration were begun immediately following the storm. Rev. Tomlinson resigned as pastor after almost ten years of service, and Rev. L.M. Huff was called to be the new pastor of Heights. During his five years of service, a beautiful parsonage was constructed.


The next ten years were to see the church led by a pastor who had grown up in Heights--Rev. R. L. Calhoun. From 1971 to 1981, our church became an active and important part of Texas City. Heights Baptist Christian School was opened and began to hold classes in the newly completed Terry Building. During the church year 1980-81, revival broke out in Heights. That year there were 294 professions of faith recorded with 181 baptisms. Pastor Calhoun left Heights in the spring of 1981 to enter full-time evangelism. Rev. Tom Fortner then became the pastor of our church. Difficult times affected both our city and our church. Our Christian School was closed in 1985. In 1985, the church called Rev. Mark Bass Redd to become pastor The church began a slow spiritual recovery. On Sunday, August 20, 1989, our church celebrated its 50th anniversary with between 300 and 400 people attending the special event.


In August 1992, our church called Dr. R. L. Calhoun to return as pastor. With a vision for restoration and revival, he accepted the call and came back to Heights. The church began to grow once again and in 2001, the church voted to change its name. Heights Baptist Church became New Life Fellowship. In 2004, the church voted to sell the existing location and relocate. For nearly three years, New Life Fellowship met in facilities at Mainland Crossing near the Mall of the Mainland in Texas City. During this time, the church rented its sanctuary to First Love Church while they were building in the Texas City area. When First Love moved out in January of 2007, NLF voted to move back to 2700 Texas Avenue. Since the church has been back on Texas Avenue, attendance has increased and the church is anticipating another mighty move of the Lord. New Life Fellowship is a church which is committed to winning the lost and discipling those who come to know the Lord. Our declaration is, "To God Be The Glory, Great Things He Has Done!--And Greater Things Than These Shall He Do In The Days Ahead!"