History

Brief History of the New Hope Baptist Church

195 Pigeon Creek Road
Manchester, Georgia
Revised November 2025

The New Hope Baptist Church had its beginnings with the establishment of the Macedonia Baptist Church in the year of 1828. The Church was a wooden framed building used by both Blacks and Whites. Worship Services were held only one Sunday a month. After the enslaved people were freed, the custom of joint worshipping was abandoned. Historical documentation indicates that a number of enslaved people of white families who attended Macedonia are buried in the wooded area located on the other side of the fence that separates the current New Hope and Macedonia Cemeteries.

In 1863 Dr. Campbell donated separate tracts of land to the Blacks and the Whites. The Blacks today remain in the original donated location. The Whites relocated to an adjacent lot.

To our knowledge, this Church has had eight outstanding pastors. The first pastor was Rev. Harps. His successors were Rev. John Cook, Rev. Sam Daniel, and Rev. Nate Harris. Rev. M.E. Cook pastored this Church for thirty-two years. Under his leadership, a new building was constructed and named the New Hope Baptist Church. Afterward, Rev. D.F. Fuller served as pastor. Rev. G.H. Henry served as pastor from 1959 to 1978. Under his leadership, the Sanctuary was bricked, and the educational building was added. Rev. Frank Steed served as Assistant Pastor during Rev. Henry’s illness.

In November 1978, our present pastor, Rev. J.D. Walker was elected to serve this Church. He delivered his first sermon on January 14, 1979.  He has served this Church as Pastor for 47 years, making him the longest serving pastor of New Hope.

Throughout the years many improvements have been made. The membership elected to have worship services twice per month instead of the traditional once a month worship. The educational wing was constructed in 1977. Bible Study is held each Wednesday beginning at 6:00 P.M. via Zoom. The Class is taught by the Pastor.

Past records indicate that this Church was affiliated with a District Association and that meetings were held here in 1891, 1893, 1900, 1910 and 1921. At the present time this Church is affiliated with the Cane Creek Missionary Baptist Association, Inc., which was organized in 1930. Currently our Pastor, Rev. J.D. Walker serves as Moderator. Currently our Pastor, Rev. J.D. Walker serves as Moderator of the Association.

The first deacons serving under Rev. M.E. Cook’s pastorate were Dea. John Chaney, Dea. Sam Bryant, Dea. George Frazier, Dea. Henry Owens, Dea. Will Hill, Dea. Max Anderson, Dea. Josh Steed, Dea. J.R. Sullivan, Dea. Siddons Holmes and Dea. Jessie Marshall. Dea. Marshall served 50 years as Sunday School Superintendent and also served over 30 years as chairman of the Board of Deacons. Dea. Abe Steed also served on the board of deacons. Dea. Dan Willis, Dea. Charlie Little, Dea. William Chaney and Dea. Willie Barron were elected under the pastorate of Rev. G.H. Henry. On September 14, 1980, Dea. Solomon
Ferguson and Dea. L.S. Glencamp were ordained as Deacons. On September 25, 1988, Dea. Willie James Ted Anderson and Dea. Ed Harris, who was later called into the ministry, and Dea. James Brown were ordained as Deacons. Dea. Andrew Spivey, Dea. Andrew Nixon, and Dea. Clifford Jones were also added to the Board of Deacons. Dea. Solomon Kerr was added to the Board and later, Dea. Julius Warrior III, Dea. Jack Warren, Dea. Kirk Copeland, and Dea. Hardy Owens were added. In 2014, Dea. Edward Warrior and Dea. Lovette Little, Jr. were ordained and added to the Board. Dea. Danny Marshall and Dea. David White were added in 2019. Dea. Quardez Warrior was ordained on June 25, 2023, and added to the Board.

The Board of Deacons currently includes Dea. Solomon Ferguson, Chairman who has served as Chairman since 1990; Dea. Edward Warrior, Vice Chairman; Deacons James Brown, Solomon Kerr, Lovette Little, Jr., Danny Marshall, Jack Warren, Julius Warrior III, David White, and Quardez Warrior.

Ordained ministers are Rev. Wallace Steed and Rev. Jonas Ferguson. Ordained Minister, Rev. Ed Harris passed in 2013.

The Church has the following ministries and auxiliaries: Board of Deacons, Deaconess, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Gospel Choir, Senior and Junior Ushers and the Greetings Ministry.

The Sanctuary was constructed in 1930 and on July 23, 1993, the Sanctuary was completely destroyed by fire. As a historical note, when the Macedonia Baptist Church relocated to their current location on Wrightsville Road, all of the windows in their sanctuary were donated to New Hope.  When New Hope burned in 1993 two of the windows that were not being used were saved because they were stored underneath the back of the church. During the rebuild, these two windows were installed in the Vestibule of the new building.

The fire also destroyed 30 percent of the educational building. Daniel Construction of LaGrange, Georgia was awarded the contract for the rebuilding and remodeling project. During the months of rebuilding, Worship Services were held in the cafetorium of the Manchester Middle School until provisions were made in the original educational building to accommodate Worship Services. The Manchester Middle School is now the headquarters for the Cane Creek Missionary Baptist Association. The transition back to the church site was made in January of 1994 and on June 12, 1994, the official dedication of the New Sanctuary and the educational building was held. In June of 1999, the note was completely paid off for the rebuilding project.

In August of 2014, Principal Construction Company of LaGrange, Georgia was awarded the contract to add an elevator, handicapped doors, and a marque. The Church secured a 20-year note to cover the cost of the project. The project suffered several delays, but the elevator became operational in March of 2015, and the project was finally completed at the end of June 2015. In October 2021, the Church announced the final payment had been made on the original 20-year note. Through the tithes and offerings of its members, the note was paid in full in 6 years and 4 months.

In early 2020, the COVID-19 virus caused a world-wide pandemic. Businesses and schools closed, and by March of 2020 churches, including New Hope were no longer holding in-person services. But as the Lord would have it, New Hope continued its Worship Services on YouTube. Services were recorded and uploaded to Rev. Walker’s YouTube channel and at 11:00 on Sunday mornings, members tuned in for worship. New Hope Baptist Church opened its doors for in-person services on the second Sunday in July 2021. Although attendees had their temperature checked, were socially distanced, and wore face coverings to comply with CDC guidelines, everyone was so grateful to participate in in-person services again.

The Church has over one-hundred fifty active members with Rev. J.D. Walker continuing to serve as Pastor.

Thank you for your attention as we provided a brief history of the growth and development of the New Hope Baptist Church in Manchester, Georgia. We look forward to your participation in our continuous progress and spiritual growth.