New Community Temple

The New Community Church of God in Christ was established in 1949 after Mother Clara Palmer, a seasoned missionary, went through the Sugar Hill section of Portsmouth, Virginia teaching the Word of God. Through her evangelistic endeavors, many souls were saved. Eventually, Mother Palmer requested that Bishop Love, then Prelate of Virginia, send a pastor to begin a church in the Twin Pines (now Merrifields) section of Portsmouth, Virginia. Elder Junius L. Clifton, father of Elect Lady Thomas, was sent in response to Mother Palmer's appeal and led the people to a church.