"In the Early Days"
From the very beginning of New Hope Baptist Church in 1879, members were faithful in attendance in spite of many difficulties. Road conditions were often poor; distances involved in these pre-machine days were great; family responsibilities and farm chores meant sacrifices in order to attend worship services. Church membership grew slowly but steadily. Services were held once a month, on a week-end of the fourth Sunday.
On Saturday church business was taken care of. These business meetings were a little different to the ones we know today. One item that was very important was a list of messengers to the Union Meeting. Another important item was something connected with discipline.
They were very strict in dealing with each other. Frequently members were called upon to come before the group and “make things right”. If the erring one did not apologize and ask forgiveness, a committee was appointed to look into the matter, and try to get him restored to full fellowship.
At one point in the growth of New Hope, an investigating committee was appointed “for seeing unconcerned members for a closer relationship of church members”. Some of the causes of investigations were: dancing, disorderly walk, profanity, promenading games, selling intoxicating liquors, non-attendance, using bad language, and violating the Sabbath. One example, in 1884, “Bro. _______ was reported to the church for dancing and Bro. _______ was appointed to notify him to attend his trial”. (Anyone worried about the welfare of Bro. _______? He apologized to the church group and was forgiven.)
Sometimes, in a matter of church discipline, a church brother would “speak up” in behalf of an erring one unable, or unwilling to speak for himself. Sometimes a brother stronger in the faith would read a letter sent by an erring one, and forgiveness would be granted.
“Met at the water’s edge” or “Met at the water” are phrases used in early accounts of baptisms at New Hope. Bee Branch and Peace River were places named for early baptismal services. In later years “The Old Baptizing Hole” a few miles south of the church, near a curve on Road 64, was used. For a few years, in the late 40’s and early 50’s baptismal services were held at Lake Denton.
On June 4, 1950, the first baptistry at New Hope was given to the church by Miss Edna Brown in loving memory of her father, J. H. Brown. It was installed behind the choir loft and had a beautiful painting of the Jordan River behind it.
There are accounts of foot-washing ceremonies in the early history. They were held in connection with the regular communion service, almost every December from 1881–1903. It's very special to read, “We observed the delightful service of communion and foot-washing” many times in the records.
Records show that the early church had one ordained deacon, Bro. J. Harris Brantley. In 1886 he also became the church treasurer and the Sunday School Superintendent. The first Bible School, called “Sabbath School”, was organized in 1886. For several years there were only two classes – Class I and Class II.
People continued to join the group. In 1887 the members agreed in business meeting that the church should “Buy a suit of clothes to be kept for the purpose of baptizing”.
In early 1904, New Hope Church began having worship services twice a month. This was continued until the early 1930’s, when worship services were held twice: morning and evening, each Sunday; and prayer meeting regularly on each Wednesday evening. By this time a pastor was called for full time service.
Each summer a two-week revival was conducted, usually by a visiting preacher. Preparation for one of these revivals included cottage prayer meetings, held in different homes of the church members. People were prayed for by name, and everyone prayed that, “The Lord would send the man for the hour” as they sought a preacher for the revival.
During the revival time, the revival team, consisting of the pastor, the visiting song leader, and sometimes their wives, were invited for meals in the homes of different members of the church. In this way, the team could visit and work in interest of the revival, so they were able to reach more people.
Sometimes, maybe every four or five years, during the summer time a “Singing School” was conducted. This was conducted at times by a local person, and another time by a visiting song leader. These music schools provided a means of strengthening the church choir for some time. Attendance was free, but each participant usually paid for his own book, and a love offering was taken at the end of the school to help pay the song leader.
Growing With God
The History of New Hope
"And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women." Acts 5:14
From its organization in 1879 into the early part of 1900, the members of New Hope Baptist Church met and worshiped in a brush arbor, and sat on homemade benches. At times, especially when a baptismal service was planned, they met in a clearing near Bee Branch. At other times, the record reveals they met near Peace River.
How happy they must have been when, through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, a real building was possible. it was built in the very early part of the year 1900, a wooden frame house, and every piece of material used was very carefully chosen. There was one double door in the front, and in front of it there was a set of wooden steps. The windows were regular size, five windows on each side and two windows each in front and back. One interesting note remembered by pioneers is the fact that the boards that formed the walls of the house were placed up and down, or vertically. It was 30 ft. X 40 ft. in size.
This first building was a source of pride for the ones who worshiped there. Many faithful ones had prayed, planned, sacrificed, and worked hard to provide this place of worship.
Such faithfulness promoted growth. The membership grew so that more space was needed. Two outhouses were provided for the members' use. A covered table was constructed on the north side of the grounds to help with space for the fellowship meals. It also served as a place for the young people's Sunday School class to meet.
A building committee was appointed to see what could be done to provide more space. Fifteen feet was added across the back part of the house in 1902, and this helped for a few years. The membership kept right on growing.
During the years of 1906-1908 there were many plans made, several committees worked hard to build a larger house. The measurements this time were to be 45' x 45'. It was still to be a wooden frame house, but of carefully chosen materials. The boards were placed horizontally this time. There was a vestibule, a place for the pulpit and a place for pews for the choir behind the pulpit. There was a beautiful bell tower with steps leading up to a small room in the bell tower. This room made another spot for a Sunday School class and was used on Sunday nights for R.A.'s to meet and study.
During the years of the 1930's throught he 1950's this building went through many changes. Each year there was some addition, or painting, or changing the size of some of the rooms in order to make room for more people.
The First Pastorium
The first pastorium was built in 1938-1939. It was a wooden frame house, containing a front screened porch, living room, two bedrooms, a bath, a small kitchen, and a small dining room.
Mr. Sherman Whiting was the carpenter in charge of building. Several men of the church donated their time and tools and worked under Mr. Whiting’s direction, so the cost of the work would not be too high.
Rev. Angus McClelland was the first pastor to live in the pastorium.
The Education Building
July 7, 1953 was the day for dedication of a large, two-story education building. This was made of cement blocks and concrete. It contained a kitchen, dining hall, two bathrooms, a storage room, and eighteen classrooms for Sunday School and Training Union use.
Mr. Robert W. Pierce was the carpenter in charge of building. Many men of the church helped, and the ladies came to furnish the noon meals and do any of the work they could.
What a good time the ladies of the W.M.U. had! They made the kitchen their project. Mrs. Orilla Bailey donated the first stove – a gas range. Other ladies contributed dishes, flatware, linens, and drapes. In contrast to facilities of other times this was heavenly. Cost of the building was approximately $20,083.
This educational building had several renovations. Nursery rooms and a library have been the reason for several changes. At times some of the rooms have been divided to make more rooms, even though smaller in size. It was furnished with tile floor covering and painted. Central air was added, and a speaker was installed so the nursery workers could hear the church services.
The Sanctuary
The present red brick building called New Hope Baptist Church was constructed in 1960-1961. H.L. Bostick was the contractor in charge, and again, many men of the church donated time and labor in order to help.
For sentimental reasons, four rows of the theater type chairs from the old church were installed in the choir of the new building. Five more rows were installed in the balcony.
New pews were bought for the auditorium. They were placed in three sections and could seat approximately 475 people.
The first service held in the new auditorium was on April 4, 1961, with the pastor, Rev. B.C. Lamb bringing the sermon. When the morning collection was counted, it was announced that the building would be paid for and there would be $300.00 left over to remain in the building fund.
May 10, 1961 the church voted to give the baptistry from the old building to the Fort Green Baptist Church.
November 7, 1961 the church voted to give the baptistry painting from the old church to Bethel Baptist Church at Crewsville.
The old church building was used for various church activities until August of 1963. It was then sold and hauled away by the new owner.
The New Pastorium
August 30, 1970 was a great day in the history of New Hope Baptist. This was the open house and dedication ceremony for the new pastorium.
Van Adams was the contractor in charge of building. The building was made of red brick, cement and other necessary materials. Again the cost was kept down because men of the church donated their time and talents.
The Fellowship Hall
The membership of New Hope Baptist Church continued to grow. A Bus Ministry, Children’s Church, and a group of faithful workers, following the leadership of God, with the Holy Spirit directing, combined to make good things happen at New Hope.
Sunday School rooms began to be overcrowded. Children’s Church was meeting in the dining hall which was entirely too small. Children ranged from toddlers to sixth grade. This made it difficult to plan a church service that met the needs of all.
A building committee was appointed to investigate the possibilities of building more space. More space was needed for Bible classes, Children’s Church, and kitchen and dining areas.
A new building was started in the fall of 1975. Mr. Van Adams was the contractor in charge. Built of concrete blocks and cement, it was approximately 36’ x 104’, and had wall-to-wall carpeting, central air, and cost approximately $60,000.00 – only because Mr. Adams allowed us to donate much of the labor. There were two restrooms, a large storage room, two classrooms, a large well-equipped kitchen, and a large hall that could be used for dining, classes, prayer meeting, a study course, or Children’s Church. It was kept really busy.
Moving into the new building made five rooms in the Education Building available for Bible classes. It also meant that the children could be divided, having morning worship services geared to two different age groups. When the older children were brought into “Big Church”, the smaller ones could be kept in their own room with their own program, which they could understand better.
Dedication day for the new fellowship hall was January 25, 1976. The dining hall was used for the first time that day and it was filled to capacity. When the collection was counted that morning, there was enough to pay for the work and materials. We rejoiced in the Lord because the bills were paid, and we were not in debt.
Dedication Service
Another highlight in the history of New Hope Baptist Church was a service of dedication on November 24, 1974 for the memorial windows, baptistry drapes, altars, new pew covers, and carpets.
The pastor, Rev. T.W. Hudson, recalled the ministry of the “Forefathers of this community who had vision enough to follow the leadership of God to erect a building of worship in this place”.
Bro. Marcus Shackelford read an appropriate scripture as each memorial window was dedicated and mention was made of the donor. Bro. Willard Durrance, chairman of the Deacons offered the prayer of dedication and thanksgiving for the memorial windows, as members of the families stood by a window given in honor of a loved one.
A specially prepared prayer of dedication for the baptistry drapes, altars, pew covers, and carpet was led by the pastor, Rev. Hudson, and music director, Ken Smith led the response of the people in the congregation.
New Hope Baptist Church is continuing to grow and bear fruit from the seeds that were sown by our founding forefathers.
