History of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church
Est. December 17, 1881
CNew Hope Missionary Baptist Church has the distinction of being the first Missionary Baptist Church to be formed in Alleghany County. The church has proven that it is able to meet the needs of mankind with Christ as the foundation.
On December 17, 1881 the covenant was issued for the church. The first meeting took place in a small log building that was used for a schoolhouse during the week and became God’s house on Sundays. After a few months, the founders decided to move the church to its present location in a small temporary wooden building.
On August 8, 1883 land was deeded to the church for most of the present site. In 1884 the original wood structure was begun. It was completed in 1887 and was dedicated to God. At this time it was decided that the church should have a cemetery, therefore a site was chosen next to the new church building. After more than 100 years the cemetery is still a beautiful resting-place for all the people that have worked so hard and worshipped so long at New Hope Church.
Time will always call for renovations and some of these began in 1900. As the years have passed many thing have been done to add to the beauty and function of the church. The founding fathers started a tradition that is still with the present members as there have been many improvements throughout the years to the present. In 1959 the need for a new church building was evident. Land was donated and the building started. By the summer of 1962 the building was complete and a second dedication was conducted with an all day session and lunch at the community building. The years went on and improvements were added in 1983 and 1987. In 1990 a new steeple was erected and a beautiful granite sign was placed at the entrance.
The congregation grew dramatically and more room for Sunday School Rooms was needed. In April of 1991 the deacon board recommended to the church membership that we build an addition to the church. On October 21, 1991 a groundbreaking ceremony was held. At this time, more Sunday School Rooms were added and the sanctuary was enlarged with a new choir loft and pulpit. In March of 1992 we moved into our beautiful new addition. In July of 1992 more land was given to the church for a parking lot. Dedication service for the new addition was held in May 1993.
In 1994 air conditioning was installed, a Church Library was started, and a baptismal pool was built. In 1995, after much prayer, the church voted to begin a new addition to the church to accommodate the growth. In March 1996 the groundbreaking ceremony was held. The Sanctuary was enlarged, a PA system installed, three Sunday School Rooms and a choir room were added, the fellowship hall and kitchen were enlarged, and a tiled porch with a handicapped ramp was added. The first service in the enlarged sanctuary was held at homecoming in August 1996.
In 1997 the parking area was enlarged on more land donated to the church. At this time the new area and the old parking area received new paving.
Through all of the renovations, many members volunteered to do various jobs. We thank God for each one who gave and continue to give their time and financial support to our church.
The congregation of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church wishes for this church to be a symbol of our love of God and community. Like our founding fathers, we thank God for the new additions, and dedicate our efforts in the future to serve God. We wish for all the people that visit our church to feel God’s presence and receive a blessing from our faith in God.
God was the past, God is the present, and God will be the future.
On December 17, 1881 the covenant was issued for the church. The first meeting took place in a small log building that was used for a schoolhouse during the week and became God’s house on Sundays. After a few months, the founders decided to move the church to its present location in a small temporary wooden building.
On August 8, 1883 land was deeded to the church for most of the present site. In 1884 the original wood structure was begun. It was completed in 1887 and was dedicated to God. At this time it was decided that the church should have a cemetery, therefore a site was chosen next to the new church building. After more than 100 years the cemetery is still a beautiful resting-place for all the people that have worked so hard and worshipped so long at New Hope Church.
Time will always call for renovations and some of these began in 1900. As the years have passed many thing have been done to add to the beauty and function of the church. The founding fathers started a tradition that is still with the present members as there have been many improvements throughout the years to the present. In 1959 the need for a new church building was evident. Land was donated and the building started. By the summer of 1962 the building was complete and a second dedication was conducted with an all day session and lunch at the community building. The years went on and improvements were added in 1983 and 1987. In 1990 a new steeple was erected and a beautiful granite sign was placed at the entrance.
The congregation grew dramatically and more room for Sunday School Rooms was needed. In April of 1991 the deacon board recommended to the church membership that we build an addition to the church. On October 21, 1991 a groundbreaking ceremony was held. At this time, more Sunday School Rooms were added and the sanctuary was enlarged with a new choir loft and pulpit. In March of 1992 we moved into our beautiful new addition. In July of 1992 more land was given to the church for a parking lot. Dedication service for the new addition was held in May 1993.
In 1994 air conditioning was installed, a Church Library was started, and a baptismal pool was built. In 1995, after much prayer, the church voted to begin a new addition to the church to accommodate the growth. In March 1996 the groundbreaking ceremony was held. The Sanctuary was enlarged, a PA system installed, three Sunday School Rooms and a choir room were added, the fellowship hall and kitchen were enlarged, and a tiled porch with a handicapped ramp was added. The first service in the enlarged sanctuary was held at homecoming in August 1996.
In 1997 the parking area was enlarged on more land donated to the church. At this time the new area and the old parking area received new paving.
Through all of the renovations, many members volunteered to do various jobs. We thank God for each one who gave and continue to give their time and financial support to our church.
The congregation of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church wishes for this church to be a symbol of our love of God and community. Like our founding fathers, we thank God for the new additions, and dedicate our efforts in the future to serve God. We wish for all the people that visit our church to feel God’s presence and receive a blessing from our faith in God.
God was the past, God is the present, and God will be the future.
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