History of the New York-New England District

                                                               The New York-New England District of the Mount Sinai Holy Church of America,                                                                 Incorporated was born out of the reorganization of the general church during                                                                     Mt. Sinai's Holy Convocation in 1961. The district was placed under the                                                                                leadership of Bishop James H. Bell, who served the Northern District of Mt.                                                                       Sinai as its Presiding and Ruling Elder. He was also the pastor of Bethel Holy                                                                       Church, having been so since the passing of Bishop Ida Robinson in 1946.                                                                           Bishop Bell assumed the leadership of a district composed of churches located  in New York City, Brooklyn, Long Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. 

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Bishop Bell was assisted in the district by Elder Katherine C. Lewis of Boston, MA.

She served the district as its presiding elder until she was elevated to the

Bishopric. Bishop Bell and Bishop Lewis were revered throughout our

district and throughout Mt. Sinai. They set a very high standard for

holiness and excellence.

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As time went on, the Lord added churches in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Pastors were dedicated to supporting the vision for the district. The Bible says, "He that winneth souls is wise." God gave the pastors the determination and wisdom to win souls to Jesus Christ. As a result, churches began to grow, as did the New York-New England District.

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The history of a district is sometimes best reflected in the happenings at District Conventions. The very first New York-New England District Convention was held at Bethel Holy Church in New York City, in August 1963. The very first message was preached by Elder Pearl Hopgood, who was then pastoring a church in Waterbury, CT. Her subject was, "Ye are the Children of Light and the Day" (1 Thessalonians 5:5). The second president of Mount Sinai, Bishop Elmira Jeffries preached her first and only message to the New York-New England District entitled, "The Signs of the Coming of the Lord" (Genesis 4:26). There were fourteen churches that made a financial report to the convention. It was a most rewarding convention, filled with many fine messages.

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The New York-New England District Conventions have been hosted by pastors and churches in many different cities including: New York City, Brooklyn, NY, Hartford, CT., Springfield, MA., and Brockton, MA. In 1972, the New York-New England District Convention made its first trip to Buffalo, NY. The convention was well attended and it afforded many the opportunity to visit scenic Niagara Falls in Canada. The convention returned to the city of Buffalo, NY  in 1983. Many of our conventions convened in Boston, MA. In fact, Bishop Katherine C. Lewis hosted more district conventions than any other pastor in the district. One of the most memorable convention services was held in August, 1987, when our district celebrated its 25th anniversary. This convention featured an afternoon service aboard the ocean liner, "The Spirit of Boston", The service followed a lobster dinner on the waters of the Boston Harbor. While many of the district conventions were held in Boston, MA, thirty-one out of the last 60+ district conventions convened in the city of Stamford, Connecticut, at the Westin Stamford Hotel, the Radisson Tara Hotel, the Sheraton Stamford Hotel, the Stamford Plaza Hotel & Conference Center, and the Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa. In 2023, the New York-New England District hosted their very first convention in the state of New Jersey. 

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                                                        In 1990, the Lord called Bishop James Bell from labor to

                                                        reward. Upon his passing, his son, Bishop Joseph Bell was

                                                        appointed to be the District Bishop. Bishop  Joseph Bell

                                                        worked very closely with his father since the inception of the

                                                        district.  Bishop Bell appointed his wife, Elder Minerva Bell,

                                                       and Elder William Polk to assist  him as presiding elders in the

                                                       district. In 2006, Elder Minerva Bell and Elder William Polk

                                                       were consecrated to the Bishopric. Bishop Polk was named

                                                      the Bishop of the Presbytery for the national church. Bishop

Minerva Bell was named Assistant District Bishop.

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After 50+ years of service to the New York-New England District, and twenty-five years of

service as the District Bishop of the New York-New England District, Bishop Joseph Bell
went home to be with the Lord in 2015. Less than one month later, Bishop William Polk

went home to be with the Lord. The new president of Mt. Sinai, Bishop John Emmanuel

Holland appointed Bishop Minerva Bell to succeed her husband as the District Bishop

of the New York-New England District, an assignment that she carried until her passing

in 2020.

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                                       In 2021, the presiding elder of the New York-New England District, Elder Hazle Woodley was                                           consecrated to the Bishopric, and was also named the District Bishop of the New York-New                                             England District, and continues to serve in this capacity to this day. 

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                                       There have been several pastors led of the Lord to establish their own churches and                                                           corporations, leaving the district with fewer churches than when the district was established in                                         1963. Although the district has seen some challenging times recently, we are yet thanking                                                 God for His blessings.