History
On Wednesday Evening, September 25th,1893, a special meeting of the People's Mission was held in the South Ward Room on Marcy Street for the purpose of organizing a church. The Mission was the outcome of a Bible Class sponsored by James F. Slaughter, a Deacon from the Old Joy Street Baptist Church in Boston, which met each Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock at his home, corner of Bridge and Hanover Streets. In the spring of 1890, the city granted them the use of the South Ward Room for their services, with Sunday School at 3 o'clock and preaching at 8 o'clock. The mission was nondenominational. Seventeen members were present at this meeting. 12 Baptist, 4 Methodist and 1 Episcopal. It was voted to disband the mission and proceed to organize a Baptist Church, the following pledged their membership, James F. Slaugh-ter, Ossia O. Slaughter, James G. Handsend, Lucy A. Straughn, Mary Clark, Frances Hutchins , Haywood B. Burton, Martha G. Kelly, Mary Watson, Robert Lee Amis, Mollie Amis and J.T.A. Hazelwood. The twelve met and organized as follows. Rev. James R. Randolph who was pastor of the Mission, as pastor and modera-tor, James F. Slaughter, Deacon; James G. Handsend, Clerk; Haywood Burton, Treasurer.
At the next meeting of the church it was voted to accept the invita-tion of Middle Street Baptist Church to become a branch of that church and remained as such until September, 1908, when we were set apart as an independent church. On June 6th,1915, we held our first service at 45 Pearl Street which we purchased from the General Conference of Free Baptists for $1200. The building was paid for from a fund of $2000 that was raised by members and friends of the church. Rev. John L. Davis was pastor at this time who labored so faithful and untiringly to see that we secured a building.
We continued to serve God and this community until the doors were closed in 1965. The church building was then turned over to the American Baptist Convention after the members decided to terminate its existence. A few of the People's members were deeply saddened about the idea of their church's closing and began meet-ing to organize a new church. After meeting for approximately two years, it was decided that a new church should be conceived and its name would be New Hope Baptist Church. On April 7,1967, the Town Clerk of Newington, NH recorded the first vital statistics of the birth of New Hope Baptist Church. The principle participants were Willie M. Matt; Lige A. Williams; Frances Satchell; Bette L. Jarmon; and Joseph Shaw. The Seal of the State of New Hampshire was affixed to the legal document that made New Hope Baptist Church a corporate body.
Our first Pastor was the Rev. Raymond Hailes who was the last Pastor when we were known as People's Baptist. Our first services were held at the Newington Town Hall, Newington Center, New Hampshire. Soon afterwards, we purchased the building at 45 Pearl Street back from the American Baptist Convention for the sum of one dollar. Under the leadership of Rev. Hailes we experienced rapid growth as many members came to Christ. In the fall of 1969, Rev. Hailes resigned to accept the pastorate of another church. A few months later, Rev. Solomon Stith was called to assume the pastorate of our congregation. Under his pastorate many physical and spiritual improvements were achieved. Rev. Stith resigned the pastorate in 1974. During this period, the membership carried on with the assistance of several invited ministers. We were also blessed with the faithful service of Deacon Walter Johnson, Chairman of the Deacon Board. We were also able to establish a firm financial foundation while we continued to pray for a new pastor.
In February 1976 Rev. Ralph G. Henley was called as our new Pastor. In October of that year we purchased the 16.6 acres where we currently worship. The property also included a building which would provide the church with a parsonage for our pastor and family. The additional plans included the future building of a new edifice and to develop the additional land with the possibility of becoming self-supporting. Under the leadership of Rev. Henley many positive strides were made. In August of 1981 we found ourselves once again without a pastor. At this time Rev. Gray, a member, filled the pulpit as Supply Minister as we again prayed for a new pastor.
In September of 19$2 a call was extended to the Rev. Willard W.C. Ashley, Sr., under whose leadership, our membership continued to grow. It was during this time that architectural plans were drawn up for a new structure to be built on Peverly Hill Road. In 1984 we sold our building on Pearl Street. After the building was sold we again held our Sunday services at the Old Town Hall in Newington, NH. Rev. Ashley resigned as pastor in the summer of 1984.
Rev. Foster L. Covington, Jr. was called out of retirement to serve as Minister-at-Large. Later that year we moved our services from Town Hall to the Little Harbor School. Shortly thereafter we obtained permission from the City to hold services in the parson-age while our new building was under construction. Our small congregation continued to hold services in the parsonage until we entered this building for the first time on October 11,1987. After overseeing our move into the new building and serving faithfully for 4 years, Pastor Covington returned to his retirement. In recognition of his service he was honored with the title "Pastor Emeritus".
When we found ourselves again without a pastor. This time we called upon Rev. Frank Parker, a member who served unselfishly as "interim" until October 1988, when a call was extended to Rev. Garth Baker-Fletcher to assume the Pastorate of New Hope. During his tenure, Pastor Fletcher's ministry was greatly enhanced by his musical talents. Rev. Fletcher served faithfully until his resignation in July of 1990. As redundant as it sounds, yes, we were again without a pastor. Once again we relied on one of our members to step into the gap. This time it was Deacon Nathaniel Holloway, Chair of our Deacon Board who stepped forward. Deacon Holloway, the diaoonate, and members of New Hope worked together as we prayed for guidance in seeking a new pastor.
A call was extended to Dr. Arthur L. Hilson, who assumed the Pastorate on March 31,1991. As a church family we have contin-ued to be blessed by Go d as we work together in trying to give Him the Glory. We have, through God, initiated community outreach efforts, a computer lab, upgraded our internal resources, expanded our ecumenical liaisons, improved our property and most importantly we have shared the Gospel through our music and preaching ministry. It is through this sharing of the Gospel that the Holy Spirit has brought an increasing number of new members to Christ. These new members have enabled us to be blessed as the fastest growing Church in the Southeastern Associa-tion of our Convention for which we give God the Glory as we celebrate this 32 year leg of our journey.