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In September 1938, at 616 Shawmut Avenue, Roxbury, Massachusetts Deacon John A. Thomas founded the New Hope Baptist Church. Along with him were J .I. Johnson, Foster Wornum, Morris Grady, James Williams and Jerry Middleton. The first pastor was the late Reverend L.Q. Abbecromby. He served faithfully until his departure. In 1941 the late Reverend Solomon B. Brown officially organized the church and became its second pastor. At this time the church was officially named New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Incorporated.
Rapid growth in membership caused the storefront congregation, under the leadership of Reverend Brown, to be in need of a larger home. They then purchased a property at 600 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, and decided to build a new church. The congregation worked diligently to acquire funds for a new church home. The “Ground Breaking Ceremony” for the new church home was held in March 1946, under the construction of Ernest Johnson. The building was completed in the Spring of 1947 and the pastor and congregation marched with an air of satisfaction and accomplishment into their new home of worship.
On May 3, 1961 the church suffered a great loss in the passing of Reverend Brown. Shortly after his death, New Hope’s third pastor, Reverend James R. Meadows was elected and served until 1965. In June of that year, 1965, Reverend Madison Bryson, Jr., was elected to serve as “acting pastor” and later called to New Hope’s fourth pastor in February of 1966. When Reverend Bryson became pastor much work had to be done. Under his leadership and with God’s help, the work at 600 Shawmut Avenue came to its completion.
Again, due to increased membership the congregation found itself in need of more space and in l968 a “building campaign” was set in motion. The congregation raised enough funds to purchase and remodel the Tremont Street Methodist Church building located at 740 Tremont Street, Boston, Massachusetts. Tremont Street Methodist Church was designed by Hammott Billings in Gothic style and built in 1862 at the corners of West Concord and Tremont Streets. This was first church in the Boston area to be built of Roxbury “puddingstone”, a popular material in the mid-nineteenth century for religious building. Today, this is New Hope Baptist Church.
New Hope Baptist Church, Incorporated is a vital member of the South End Historical Community. It has grown from a storefront membership of twenty to become one of Boston’s largest Black Baptist Churches. It has taken on a community outlook and is seeking to serve the city and its communities in accordance and precepts of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Many definite things have been accomplished which have strengthened the church for its future task. We are proud of the progress already made; yet there is still much to be done.
In February of 1983 we were blessed to have our first Assistant Pastor, Reverend Willie
Dubose, Jr. After serving as Assistant Pastor for a short period, Reverend Dubose was elected as Interim Pastor and then became Pastor in October of 1984. In July of 1985 we were blessed with Reverend Larry Green as Assistant Pastor and he served until December 1992.
As a member of the South End community, the church is active in the following:
- Free Clothing/Out-Reach Ministry
- Food Service to the Pine Street Inn for Women
- Thanksgiving Dinner for Seniors and the Homeless
- Christmas Food Baskets to the needy
- Christmas Angel Tree
Under the leadership of Reverend Dubose and the congregation of the membership, the following renovations to the church have been completed:
- Replaced and repaired all the windows
- Replacement of all the outside doors
- New floors in the Fellowship Hall
- Dedication of the Fellowship Hall which is now named the “Pattie Burwell Fellowship Hall”
- Sanctuary painted, carpeted, and new covered cushions for the pews
- Window shutters replaced and painted
- New roof on the entire building
- New bathrooms upstairs made accessible to the handicapped
- New Audio System
- New bulletin boards in the yard on West Concord and Worcester Streets
- New central heating and air conditioning system
- New kitchen with all new appliances
Also, under the leadership of Reverend Dubose, we are members of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. Inc., and United Baptist Convention of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. We have been blessed by the many resources made available to us because of our affiliation. We have moved from Committees and Boards to Ministries, from Annual Days to Fellowship Service. We are endeavoring to be the Church that God is calling for in these last and evil days. Our motto is: “New Hope Baptist Church, The Church that Cares and Shares.”
Members of the congregation have been given their love, tears, prayers and toils for the establishment, maintenance and futurity of this Divine Institution, New Hope Baptist Church. Our hearts have been made heavy by the passing of many companions and workers. But, while they’ve passed beyond our mortal sight, their spirits will abide with us as a constant inspiration.
A resounding call is being sent out to all loyal members and friends to continue to assist us in our mission to serve and please God. We solicit your prayers and support as we strive daily to please God in our worship, our sharing and our caring.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
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