Church History
New Hope Baptist Church was organized between 1861-1864 under the leadership of Rev. J. R. Wilburn in New Hope Town, west of Perry. The first church building built on land donated by Brother Nathaniel Jackson.
Growth Through the Years
Over the decades, the church experienced steady growth in leadership, membership, and ministry development. Several pastors faithfully served, including Rev. L.L. Primus, Rev. Henry Felder, Rev. Frank Howard, Rev. H.C. Cain, Rev. Charlie Byron, Rev. A.E. Smith, Rev. R.W. Wiggins, Rev. B.G. Stallworth, Rev. B. Johnson, Rev. Orr (Interim), Rev. Daniel Thomas, Rev. John Revere (Interim), and beginning in 1983, Rev. Dennis Harden.
Pastoral Legacy
Several pastors faithfully served, including Rev. L.L. Primus, Rev. Henry Felder, Rev. Frank Howard, Rev. H.C. Cain, Rev. Charlie Byron, Rev. A.E. Smith, Rev. R.W. Wiggins, Rev. B.G. Stallworth, Rev. B. Johnson, Rev. Orr (Interim), Rev. Daniel Thomas, Rev. John Revere (Interim), and beginning in 1983, Rev. Dennis Harden.
Key Milestones in Ministry
Key milestones include:
Formation of multiple choirs, auxiliaries, and ministries
Expansion of outreach efforts including Meals on Wheels, Food Bank, Evangelism Team, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Angel Food Ministry, and Mission in Action, Food Bank
Achieving non-profit 501 (c)(3) and tax-exempt status
Establishing Discipleship Class
Purchasing new land (2002)
Groundbreaking for a new sanctuary (2007)
Relocation to the current church home at 1300 Washington Street (2009)
Mortgage Burning (2022)