This congregation dates back to the summer of 1873 and is the first African American church organized in Dallas, Texas established by independent African American residents of Dallas. Its current website gives a date of July 27, 1873 for the origin. Over the years, it has conducted worship services in at least two locations. Its first building was located on the south side of the intersection at San Jacinto at Bogel Street. Bogel Street was one block long and no longer exists. The image below shows a symbol for a church at that location, just to the right of the railroad track. It later moved to 5002 S. Central Expressway where it is currently located.
The congregation was well underway when in 1880 New Hope reported that the previous weekend, it had held its Annual Meeting, as announced in the Dallas Herald issue of Tuesday Morning, July 27, 1880. It listed the following officers: Pastor A. R. Griggs, deacon Lewis Wise, treasurer John Winn, clerk, S. H. Smothers, assistant clerk J. P. Elliott, trustees William Jordan, John Bess, Wesley Boyd, Charles Kendrick, Silas Coleman, John Williams and Robert Payne.
Almost three years later on May 1, 1883 in the Dallas Daily Herald, a paragraph announced that Rev. A. R. Griggs, general missionary of the Colored Baptist State Convention was in town collecting funds for missions and education. Rev. Griggs was to preach at the convention at a service to be held at New Hope Baptist at the San Jacinto Street location.
On October 28 of the same year, a paragraph in the Dallas Daily Herald reported that Rev. Griggs was returning to the congregation to resume his duties as pastor. About a year and a half later on January 28, 1885, the Dallas Daily Herald reported that Rev. Griggs resigned his position and would again be returning to the state convention, this time as general superintendent of missions. In the State-Thomas area, a greenspace known as Griggs Park is named for the minister.
Advancing to the World War I era, the Dallas Express in its issue of January 11, 1919 reported that a group called the “Four Minute Men” would be hosted and were invited to speak at New Hope Baptist Church the following January 16th. Below is the clipping.
President Woodrow Wilson established the Committee on Public Information to manage news and provide information about the war, under the direction of a newspaperman named George Creel. Under his direction, the “Four Minute Men” was organized. The project appears to have been widely supported and volunteer speakers would give short addresses wherever meetings could be held. Millions of speeches were given under this program.
Later in 1919, New Hope Baptist Church was cited as being a prime supporter of a fund raising campaign for the Dickson Colored Orphanage, then located one mile from the court house just off the tracks of the Cotton Belt Railroad. The congregation contributed 10% of the $3,000 goal. There are dozens of other mentions of the New Hope Baptist Church in the Dallas Express that year.
New Hope Baptist Church celebrated its 150th Anniversary on July 23, 2023 at its South Central Expressway location. The Texas Legislature also honored the congregation with the following proclamation.
H.R. No. 1682
R E S O L U T I O N
H. R. No. 1682
WHEREAS, The members of New Hope Baptist Church in Dallas are
celebrating the 150th anniversary of the congregation’s founding on
July 23, 2023; and
WHEREAS, The oldest African American church in Dallas, New
Hope Baptist traces its roots back to 1873, when a prayer group
began meeting in the home of Sister Mattie Rainey; the group later
contacted the American Baptist Home Mission Society, and traveling
missionary Reverend John Hay was sent to formally organize the
church; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, this notable house of worship
has played a vital role in the community, providing its members with
myriad opportunities for spiritual growth, fellowship, and
outreach; and
WHEREAS, The congregation has benefited from the able
leadership of many dedicated pastors over the years, and today that
tradition of service is continued by Dr. Damien N. Williams; and
WHEREAS, New Hope Baptist Church has long served as a source
of inspiration and guidance to those who worship there, and its
continued existence is a testament to the unwavering commitment of
its members and clergy, both past and present; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of New Hope
Baptist Church and extend to the congregation sincere best wishes
for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the church as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
By Mike Magers
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