A LEGACY OF FAITH AND COMMUNITY

Oral history tells us that freed slaves living in Kentucky traveled across the Ohio River to Indiana to worship as a band of Christian believers. This was thought to have been the genesis for what is now New Hope Baptist Church. 

After enduring these tiresome travel conditions for some time, this small band of believers decided to settle on the Indiana side of the river. It is believed that as early as 1870, property was purchased in the High Street area for a potential house of worship. Available history also tells us that this band led by Rev. Elijah Torrance organized as a body in 1879 and began to fellowship in this area of town. Little is known about that particular building, but more than likely it was a regular home. 

Like the wandering Israelites, this band of Christians began the journey that would eventually lead to the present location at 663 Dr. W. R. Brown Sr. Way. From High Street the group moved to Walnut Street in 1901 and yet unnamed - just a group of believers praising and worshipping God. They moved from Walnut Street to Bell Street (Bellemeade) and the name Bell Street Baptist Church was chosen; no fine sanctuary just a simple shotgun house. Their numbers stood at 14 members. Rev. Torrance moved to California and an interim lay leader Bro. Townsend was chosen. 

Subsequently, Rev. Frank Long was called to the pastorate of Belle Street Baptist Church. The church was erected in 1912 and rebuilt in 1924. Rev. Long remained as pastor until his death in 1926. The church then called Rev. Jeff Dixon and later, Rev. Alexander Cantrell. 

Rev. George L. Cooksey became the pastor of the Little Hope Baptist Church in 1934 and served for seventeen years. Rev. Cooksey retired in 1951 due to ill health. Rev. Walter Rodgers Brown, Sr. was called to pastor in 1953. Deacon Rash Ferguson and Pastor Brown realized that the name was an important part of who we were. The church name was changed from Little Hope to New Hope and a dynamic era began. In 1956 Rev. Brown presented to the congregation a plan for erecting a new $100,000.00 (equivalent of nearly one million dollars in today’s market) sanctuary. Finally on March 14, 1964, the New Hope congregation marched into a "new home built to the glory of God". Dr. Brown retired after 50 years of service January 2004. 

After 50 years of faithful leadership the New Hope Baptist Church was in search of another pastor. The Lord led the church to call Rev. Rabon L. Turner, Sr. as the 7th pastor of this historic church. He accepted the call formally on the second Sunday in October in 2004 and remained until August, 2020 when he relocated to his home church, Grace Emmanuel Baptist Church, in Flint, Michigan. 

The Lord, in His graciousness, has sent us a new shepherd, Reverend Ryan F. Jackson. Pastor Jackson accepted the call to lead and oversee this flock, December, 2021. The New Hope story continues…