New Hope Freewill Baptist Church
100th Anniversary
Jan. 19, 1995
Celebrated Homecoming Day - June 4, 1995

January 19, 1895, Elder W.B. Moore and William Rickerson were called to organize a Freewill Baptist Church at New Hope.

We presented met and eleceted Elder William Rickerson moderator of the meeting.

Elected Elder clarke of said meeting.

On motion and seconded that the 17 names that presented themselves as members of the Freewill Baptist. The name of the church is New Hope Freewill Baptist Church.

By experience and Baptism motion to receive Sister Minnie Dempsey. By experience motion to receive Sister Effie Baltzell, Brother M.L. Page.

E. Skinner
J.T. Dempsey
W.J. Blackwell
W.B. Saddler
S. Baltzell
T. Patterson
J.G. Blackwell
W.M. Drew
J.G. Prowell
Mary McKinney
Irene Patterson
J.M. McKinney
Magg Moss
Saida Monroe
Lina Blackwell
Martha A. Dempsey
Mary Prowell

History of the New Hope Freewill Baptist Church

In the beginning of the year 1895 there existed a Missionary Baptist Church, the house being located in what is now Hope Cemetery. A division arose over the doctrine of sanctification and those who believed in santification in the second work of grace decided to organize as Freewill Baptists. On January 19, 1895, Elder W.B. Moore and William Richardson were called in to organize the church. Elder Richardson was elected moderator of the meeting. Seventeen members presented themselves and were accepted as charter members. Three others were then received as members.

In the summer of 1911, Rev. W.R. Burton was elected as Pastor. During the following December and January of 1912 he held a revival which resulted in about 40 professions and a great increase in church membership. The next autumn 1912 saw the beginnig of construction of a new church building, the present place of worship, which was completed and dedicated May, 1913. Charlie Cox donated the land for the church and the New Hope School. Bill Cox and Fred Fowler were the main carpenters and many others donated their time and labor. Aaron Drennan donated all the hard lumber from his woods. Some ladies of the church decided on a project to raise money to help pay for the new church. For a price a person could get his or her name embroidered on a "Name Quilt". When the quilt was finished in August of 1913 all the names of the quilt were placed in a raffle and a lucky name was drawn to be the owner of the quilt. Harry and Julie Drennan were the winners and the quilt has been passed down through their family. Hazel Drennan Hale's daughter is the proud owner of the quilt now. The quilt is on display today for this special occasion. Electricity came to the community in 1939. The dedication of a new basement and modern heating system took place in April of 1953. Many improvements have been made over the years.

New classrooms and restrooms had been discussed over the years. With a special thanks to the Howard Adams family for their generosity of the pledge of their daughter Lori's dowry, the classrooms became a reality. It had been a dream of Lori's to have classrooms at New Hope. This sort of got the ball rolling and Jerry Pierce drew the plans for the new rooms. One carpenter, Gene Blood, was hired, then much work was donated by members and friends of the community. Dedication ceremonies were held for the new addition on Homecoming Day, June 5, 1983. The pews were padded in 1986 and air-conditioning installed in 1987.

In the beginning services where held once or twice a month, roll call Sunday was held in September in the beginning then in 1940 it was changed to June. Sunday School was started and stopped several times over the years then in the early 1940's this became a permanent thing. At the Homecoming in June of 1943 two gifts were presented to the church by Bro. Dean and Sis. Dana Atkinson, a communion service and collection plates, these gifts are still being used today.

Twenty-seven men have served as pastor over the years. Many members have come and gone over the years each contributing to the preservation of New Hope Church. Many thanks to each and every one of them.

During the 23 years from 1895 to 1918 the following ministers have pastored at New Hope.

Over the years the following men have served as Deacon

Over the years the following people have served as Trustee

Over the years the following people have served as Church Clerk

The following is a list of all the people who have been members of New Hope Free Will Baptist Church over the past 100 years.

*Members as of this date.