EXCERPTS FROM THE HISTORY OF
NEW HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 1968 - 2017
These historical excerpts were drafted from the Church of the Week article in the Greensboro News and Record dated November 9, 1985, which featured an interview with the founding Pastor, Rev. Walter M. Richmond, Sr.
A dream became a reality on July 17, 1968, when Rev. Walter M. Richmond and ten baptized believers of the Baptist faith met in his home to organize a church. Several churches had offered to support their efforts to become an organized congregation. The group used the Baptist Standard Directory as its guideline for organizing a new church.
Two names for the new Church were suggested: Peoples Baptist Church and New Hope Baptist Church. The majority decided on New Hope Baptist Church. The first worship for New Hope Baptist Church was held on August 11, 1968, in the auditorium of Hampton Elementary School, located at 2301 Trade St., Greensboro, NC. Pastor Richmond’s subject was “Our Daily Spiritual Progress.”
The congregation marched from Hampton Elementary School on April 28, 1974, to its present location at 306 S. English Street. Pastor Richmond’s sermon, based on Deuteronomy 23:5, was titled “From Hardship to Hallelujah.” On February 9, 1999, God, in his infinite wisdom, saw fit to remove our Pastor, Dr. Walter M. Richmond, Sr.
On February 15, 2000, through God’s divine will, he saw fit to send us another leader, Pastor George I. Allison, and First Lady Lyvonne H. Allison. Pastor Allison’s first sermon as Pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church was on February 20, 2000. His first pastoral sermon came from Genesis 1:10-12, and his subject was “Don’t Throw the Seeds Away.” We celebrated the installation of Pastor Allison on April 9, 2000, and Dr. James A. Richmond, Sr., Pastor of Shady Hill Baptist Church in Roxboro, NC, and brother of our founding Pastor, Dr. Walter M. Richmond, Sr., gave the spoken word.
Under Pastor Allison’s leadership, the Multi-Purpose Center was completed in 2003, was dedicated, and named the W. M. Richmond Multi-Purpose Center on May 4, 2003. Our first Emeritus Awards ceremony was held on March 20, 2014. The awardees were the Trustees, Leroy Graves (deceased) and Clarence Henry. The deacons were Willie Dennis (deceased), Thomas L. McFarlin, Sr., Ploy Richmond (deceased), and James Whitsett (Deceased). The Deaconesses were Mary Bethea, Viola Coleman (deceased), Dorothy Curtis, Margaretta Dennis, Lula Hall, Rose Love, Annie Richmond, Janie White (Deceased), and Almeta Whitsett.
We thank the Lord for blessing us to fulfill the gospel mandate to evangelize. We have completed 11 years of evangelistic work in our church community. Each year, we set up a tent in the community, allowing the community to worship with us and be introduced to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. We invite the surrounding communities to worship with us by distributing yearly flyers. The fields are truly ripe for the harvest.
We are thankful to God that we still have the following founding members: Deacon Thomas L. McFarlin, Sr., and Deaconesses Lula Hall, Elnora Lowe, and Annie J. Richmond. We have grown in material things and knowledge and understanding of the Word of God.
Our mission statement is: New Hope Missionary Baptist Church seeks to be a faith community. Its members are united in the worship of God known in Jesus Christ through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Our mission is to serve God through word and witness, to treat all human beings as sisters and brothers, and to foster responsible stewardship of all God’s creation.
A godly relationship is the key to fully experiencing all Christ has for us. We desire to be a church that encourages all to walk in the community of faith with others.
Our goal is that all members have meaningful relationships that enhance our spiritual growth and maturity. We have various ministries and hope you will pursue serving in the capacity where your talents are best suited.