Dallas' Oldest African-American Witness
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Founded in 1873 by African Americans
| The History of the New Hope Baptist Church Continued... |
The beloved Dr. Alexander Stephens Jackson accepted the call of the pastorate of New Hope Baptist Church in July, 1899. It was in
November of 1899 that he came to settle as pastor of the church. He brought with him a distinguished career as an educator and
preacher. A graduate of Atlanta and Colgate University, he organized and taught school in Georgia and Mississippi. He was
appointed to the Principalship of the State School of Jackson, Mississippi. In 1881, he became pastor of the Tulane Avenue Baptist
Church and served there for eighteen years. Under this leadership, the Tulane Baptist Church became one of the great
congregations of the South. During his stay in New Orleans, he was elected President of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. As
president, he inspired and led the forces in the establishment of church day schools all over the state, at a time when the state
showed little interest in the education of Negroes. Each church was encouraged to establish a grammar school. These day
schools in the churches were formed into eighteen Educational districts in which one academy to each district was established as
a finishing school. Dr. Jackson saved rural education for Blacks from being a failure for Negroes in Louisiana. While in Louisiana
he taught at Leland and Straight Universities, and for fourteen years was Chairman of, the Board of Trustees at Leland. He was
twice elected president of the National Baptist Convention. President Harrison appointed him to the position of Recipient of Public
Monies at New Orleans. He was one of the two Negro members of the advisory committee of the world Parliament of Religions
held in connection with the world's Exposition in Chicago in 1893 and was often chosen by both the Northern and Southern white
Baptists as speaker on Inter-racial matters.
Dr. Jackson came to New Hope at a critical time. Racial troubles had caused the distinguished Dr. Isaac to choose another field.
Some troubles within had arisen. During the first half of his pastorate, additional land was purchased and a commodious,
substantial and beautiful house of worship was erected along with a two story home for the pastor's family. The church building and
entire properties were dedicated debt free on Sunday, December 3, 1911. This building was the first large brick building in Dallas
owned and constructed by Negroes. It quickly became a community center dedicated not only to worship and organized Christian
movement, but a forum place for the whole struggle of the black community for the advancing life in everything. Public School
Commencements and the talent of the local, state and national communities came to inspire the people to go forward.
Earlier, in 1900, Dr. Jackson organized the Patron's League a community-wide effort to bring to Dallas, the best minds and talents
of the nation. Such national figures as Booker T. Washington, Mrs. Booker T. Washington, Mary Church Terrell, Black Pattie Brown,
E. Azalia Hackney, Col. Douglass, the violinist, W.E.B. Dubois, John Hope, Samuel Howard Archer, Rev. E. C. Morris, Sutton E.
Griggs, Dr. Hayes of the Federal Council of Churches, Rev. George W. Trueet, Dr. R. H. Boyd, Dr. A. Barbour came to New Hope
during his Pastorate. The Christian culture of the congregations, particularly the young had marked development. New Hope
became known throughout the country as an example of the best in Christian worship and behavior and for its encouragement of
young people to seek education and Christian refinement. The pastor's wife, Mrs. Odalie Alice Morse Jackson, organized the Young
Women's Corterie which had tremendous impact upon the young people of the entire city.. Its emphasis upon the Bible and
Christian education, the creative arts and the social graces meant much toward creating an air of Christian refinement among the
young people. Church socials and teas added an elegance which was carried into the homes of the members. Dr. Jackson's
interest in education continued in Dallas. He and his wife led the movement to organize the Pacific Avenue School, now the Julia C.
Frazier School. He insisted that the colored high school would be a comprehensive school with both the college preparatory and
trades programs. When the school board attempted to eliminate the foreign languages and sciences in 1912, he organized a
protest movement which saved them. He and New Hope were a strong force behind the building of the Booker T. Washington High
School in 1922 and the bringing of the brilliant young educator, Dr. Joseph J. Rhoads to Dallas as its principal. New Hope
members have always supported movements for quality public education and the struggle against segregation and discrimination
among people.
At a funeral service of a member in the summer of 1902, Dr. Jackson, the family, and friends were kept waiting for three hours by
the white undertaker. When the pastor questioned the undertaker about these long delays, the undertaker replied, "Yes, but my first
business is to bury white people and the Colored people when I get time." Dr. Jackson said no more, but got busy with the New
Hope membership organizing the People's Undertaking Company, with Will Ewing as embalmer and Director of Funerals. He
helped to organize the Dallas Welfare Committee but walked out of it when humiliating conditions were suggested in order to
receive its benefits. Dr. Jackson apposed temporizing with problems which affected the racial situation. The folks down town did not
hesitate to say that "Nigger Jackson's church is filled with arrogant, sassy Niggers." Yet none stood more than he as a symbol of
inter-racial good-will. Dr. Trueet and members of the First Baptist Church often came to New Hope and Dr. Jackson and members
of New Hope went to First Baptist to participate in inter-racial services.
During World War I, Dr. Jackson toured the North and returned earnestly encouraging the exodus of Negroes out of the South as the
best solution of the race problems since emancipation. In his “Rebirth of Negro Ideals”, the militant pastor observed that the late
war had captivated the imagination of Black folk and that they would never again be satisfied with the crumbs from democracy's
table. They had seen the beckoning hand of liberty and were determined to make the forward step.
Even before the war was over, New Hope Church was emerging as one of the centers of the coming Negro Renaissance and the
battle of democracy at home. The courageous member editor W. E. King of the Dallas Express denounced the hypocrisy of
American democracy at the Church forums as well as in his paper. Charles R. Griggs began his career as publisher of articles
critical of local democracy in the "Voice of the People" section of the daily newspapers. Dr. R. T. Hamilton inspired the members to
join the young NAACP and Urban League in the early twenties.
During World War I and afterward, the Klu Klux Klan visited Negro Churches to incite fear and their appearances created excitement
and greatly disturbed the services, New Hopers were forewarned and instructed to show no excitement and to ignore their
presence. When the Klan members did visit the church, they were shocked in the vestibule when asked "why are you here" Have
you come to worship." They turned and went back down the steps immediately. When the Klan planned a march through North
Dallas, Dr. Jackson notified city officials that Negroes would defend their lives and property, and that if this planned march, was
carried out, the city could witness a blood bath. The march did not take place. True to the spirit of the Founders, New Hope stood as
a Rock in a wary land, a shelter in the time of time "when Negroes of Texas, during the twenties and the thirties were launching the
movement for first class citizenship." Under Dr. Jackson's leadership, New Hope Church became nationally known not only
because of its pattern of worship, emphasis upon Christian education and mission, culture and refinement, but also because of its
support of race solidarity, racial enterprise and improvement, and everything which would make America one nation, indivisible,
under God, with liberty and justice for all.
Dr. Jackson served as pastor of New Hope Church for over three decades. His long residence and the quality of the services
rendered by him, and the church to his people and the city generally, made this poem written by Dr. R. T. Hamilton singularly fitting:
We honor thee, thou man of God.
Thou proud sage who 'mong us trod.
Fearless exemplar of the right
Leader of men who dare fight
Crime and sin wherever found.
Courageous, rock rebbed, safe and sound.
Friend, adviser, constant true -
Oh, man of God we honor you!
During the declining years of Dr. A. S. Jackson, his son, the Rev. Maynard Jackson became co-pastor serving for three years 1929-
1932. Upon the retirement of his father, the Rev. Maynard H. Jackson became pastor and after a two year leave from New Hope to
conduct a successful campaign for his Alma-Mater, Morehouse College, he served continuously from 1934 to 1945.
Rev. Maynard H. Jackson graduated from Morehouse College, Garrett School of Theology and did further studies at Chicago and
Northwestern Universities. Before coming to the pastorate of New Hope Church, he served as field Secretary of the Foreign Mission
Board of the National Baptist Convention. His interest in Africa to the development of the African Import Company which had as its
objective making Africa more self-sufficient and bringing to the attention of Afro-Americans the great potentials of that continent. In
these activities, he became a part of the movement following World War I that aroused black Africa against colonialism.
Rev. Maynard H. Jackson was a worthy successor of an illustrious father. During his pastorate the standards of the Church as a
center of Christian Worship and service were advanced. He perpetuated the heritage of the church as a champion of Christian
democracy. He was truly a voice of the new Negro in Dallas and in Texas. Through the greatly activated Forum, the Church became
a center of Negro Renaissance of the thirties and forties. The Forum season which operated nine months of the year brought to
Dallas some of the most outstanding local and national personalities of the period. Artists and poets like Langston Hughes and
Helen Hogan contributed much to the cultural life of the community.
The pastors' brother Rev. A. S. Jackson II was the Director of the Choir during his pastorate. The music of the Church was greatly
enriched. He was also Director of Music at the Booker T. Washington High School. In addition, through the Federated Choir
movement, which he organized, Rev. A. S. Jackson had tremendous influence in the cultural life of Dallas, much of which centered
around New Hope.
November of 1899 that he came to settle as pastor of the church. He brought with him a distinguished career as an educator and
preacher. A graduate of Atlanta and Colgate University, he organized and taught school in Georgia and Mississippi. He was
appointed to the Principalship of the State School of Jackson, Mississippi. In 1881, he became pastor of the Tulane Avenue Baptist
Church and served there for eighteen years. Under this leadership, the Tulane Baptist Church became one of the great
congregations of the South. During his stay in New Orleans, he was elected President of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. As
president, he inspired and led the forces in the establishment of church day schools all over the state, at a time when the state
showed little interest in the education of Negroes. Each church was encouraged to establish a grammar school. These day
schools in the churches were formed into eighteen Educational districts in which one academy to each district was established as
a finishing school. Dr. Jackson saved rural education for Blacks from being a failure for Negroes in Louisiana. While in Louisiana
he taught at Leland and Straight Universities, and for fourteen years was Chairman of, the Board of Trustees at Leland. He was
twice elected president of the National Baptist Convention. President Harrison appointed him to the position of Recipient of Public
Monies at New Orleans. He was one of the two Negro members of the advisory committee of the world Parliament of Religions
held in connection with the world's Exposition in Chicago in 1893 and was often chosen by both the Northern and Southern white
Baptists as speaker on Inter-racial matters.
Dr. Jackson came to New Hope at a critical time. Racial troubles had caused the distinguished Dr. Isaac to choose another field.
Some troubles within had arisen. During the first half of his pastorate, additional land was purchased and a commodious,
substantial and beautiful house of worship was erected along with a two story home for the pastor's family. The church building and
entire properties were dedicated debt free on Sunday, December 3, 1911. This building was the first large brick building in Dallas
owned and constructed by Negroes. It quickly became a community center dedicated not only to worship and organized Christian
movement, but a forum place for the whole struggle of the black community for the advancing life in everything. Public School
Commencements and the talent of the local, state and national communities came to inspire the people to go forward.
Earlier, in 1900, Dr. Jackson organized the Patron's League a community-wide effort to bring to Dallas, the best minds and talents
of the nation. Such national figures as Booker T. Washington, Mrs. Booker T. Washington, Mary Church Terrell, Black Pattie Brown,
E. Azalia Hackney, Col. Douglass, the violinist, W.E.B. Dubois, John Hope, Samuel Howard Archer, Rev. E. C. Morris, Sutton E.
Griggs, Dr. Hayes of the Federal Council of Churches, Rev. George W. Trueet, Dr. R. H. Boyd, Dr. A. Barbour came to New Hope
during his Pastorate. The Christian culture of the congregations, particularly the young had marked development. New Hope
became known throughout the country as an example of the best in Christian worship and behavior and for its encouragement of
young people to seek education and Christian refinement. The pastor's wife, Mrs. Odalie Alice Morse Jackson, organized the Young
Women's Corterie which had tremendous impact upon the young people of the entire city.. Its emphasis upon the Bible and
Christian education, the creative arts and the social graces meant much toward creating an air of Christian refinement among the
young people. Church socials and teas added an elegance which was carried into the homes of the members. Dr. Jackson's
interest in education continued in Dallas. He and his wife led the movement to organize the Pacific Avenue School, now the Julia C.
Frazier School. He insisted that the colored high school would be a comprehensive school with both the college preparatory and
trades programs. When the school board attempted to eliminate the foreign languages and sciences in 1912, he organized a
protest movement which saved them. He and New Hope were a strong force behind the building of the Booker T. Washington High
School in 1922 and the bringing of the brilliant young educator, Dr. Joseph J. Rhoads to Dallas as its principal. New Hope
members have always supported movements for quality public education and the struggle against segregation and discrimination
among people.
At a funeral service of a member in the summer of 1902, Dr. Jackson, the family, and friends were kept waiting for three hours by
the white undertaker. When the pastor questioned the undertaker about these long delays, the undertaker replied, "Yes, but my first
business is to bury white people and the Colored people when I get time." Dr. Jackson said no more, but got busy with the New
Hope membership organizing the People's Undertaking Company, with Will Ewing as embalmer and Director of Funerals. He
helped to organize the Dallas Welfare Committee but walked out of it when humiliating conditions were suggested in order to
receive its benefits. Dr. Jackson apposed temporizing with problems which affected the racial situation. The folks down town did not
hesitate to say that "Nigger Jackson's church is filled with arrogant, sassy Niggers." Yet none stood more than he as a symbol of
inter-racial good-will. Dr. Trueet and members of the First Baptist Church often came to New Hope and Dr. Jackson and members
of New Hope went to First Baptist to participate in inter-racial services.
During World War I, Dr. Jackson toured the North and returned earnestly encouraging the exodus of Negroes out of the South as the
best solution of the race problems since emancipation. In his “Rebirth of Negro Ideals”, the militant pastor observed that the late
war had captivated the imagination of Black folk and that they would never again be satisfied with the crumbs from democracy's
table. They had seen the beckoning hand of liberty and were determined to make the forward step.
Even before the war was over, New Hope Church was emerging as one of the centers of the coming Negro Renaissance and the
battle of democracy at home. The courageous member editor W. E. King of the Dallas Express denounced the hypocrisy of
American democracy at the Church forums as well as in his paper. Charles R. Griggs began his career as publisher of articles
critical of local democracy in the "Voice of the People" section of the daily newspapers. Dr. R. T. Hamilton inspired the members to
join the young NAACP and Urban League in the early twenties.
During World War I and afterward, the Klu Klux Klan visited Negro Churches to incite fear and their appearances created excitement
and greatly disturbed the services, New Hopers were forewarned and instructed to show no excitement and to ignore their
presence. When the Klan members did visit the church, they were shocked in the vestibule when asked "why are you here" Have
you come to worship." They turned and went back down the steps immediately. When the Klan planned a march through North
Dallas, Dr. Jackson notified city officials that Negroes would defend their lives and property, and that if this planned march, was
carried out, the city could witness a blood bath. The march did not take place. True to the spirit of the Founders, New Hope stood as
a Rock in a wary land, a shelter in the time of time "when Negroes of Texas, during the twenties and the thirties were launching the
movement for first class citizenship." Under Dr. Jackson's leadership, New Hope Church became nationally known not only
because of its pattern of worship, emphasis upon Christian education and mission, culture and refinement, but also because of its
support of race solidarity, racial enterprise and improvement, and everything which would make America one nation, indivisible,
under God, with liberty and justice for all.
Dr. Jackson served as pastor of New Hope Church for over three decades. His long residence and the quality of the services
rendered by him, and the church to his people and the city generally, made this poem written by Dr. R. T. Hamilton singularly fitting:
We honor thee, thou man of God.
Thou proud sage who 'mong us trod.
Fearless exemplar of the right
Leader of men who dare fight
Crime and sin wherever found.
Courageous, rock rebbed, safe and sound.
Friend, adviser, constant true -
Oh, man of God we honor you!
During the declining years of Dr. A. S. Jackson, his son, the Rev. Maynard Jackson became co-pastor serving for three years 1929-
1932. Upon the retirement of his father, the Rev. Maynard H. Jackson became pastor and after a two year leave from New Hope to
conduct a successful campaign for his Alma-Mater, Morehouse College, he served continuously from 1934 to 1945.
Rev. Maynard H. Jackson graduated from Morehouse College, Garrett School of Theology and did further studies at Chicago and
Northwestern Universities. Before coming to the pastorate of New Hope Church, he served as field Secretary of the Foreign Mission
Board of the National Baptist Convention. His interest in Africa to the development of the African Import Company which had as its
objective making Africa more self-sufficient and bringing to the attention of Afro-Americans the great potentials of that continent. In
these activities, he became a part of the movement following World War I that aroused black Africa against colonialism.
Rev. Maynard H. Jackson was a worthy successor of an illustrious father. During his pastorate the standards of the Church as a
center of Christian Worship and service were advanced. He perpetuated the heritage of the church as a champion of Christian
democracy. He was truly a voice of the new Negro in Dallas and in Texas. Through the greatly activated Forum, the Church became
a center of Negro Renaissance of the thirties and forties. The Forum season which operated nine months of the year brought to
Dallas some of the most outstanding local and national personalities of the period. Artists and poets like Langston Hughes and
Helen Hogan contributed much to the cultural life of the community.
The pastors' brother Rev. A. S. Jackson II was the Director of the Choir during his pastorate. The music of the Church was greatly
enriched. He was also Director of Music at the Booker T. Washington High School. In addition, through the Federated Choir
movement, which he organized, Rev. A. S. Jackson had tremendous influence in the cultural life of Dallas, much of which centered
around New Hope.
Contact Us:
5002 S. Central Expressway
Dallas, Texas 75215
Phone: 214 421-5296
Fax: 214 421-1531
E-mail: 1newhope4all@sbcglobal.net
5002 S. Central Expressway
Dallas, Texas 75215
Phone: 214 421-5296
Fax: 214 421-1531
E-mail: 1newhope4all@sbcglobal.net
Service Schedule:
Sunday School: 9:00 a.m.
Sunday Worship Service: 10:30 a.m.
Bible Study @ Noon and 6:00 p.m.
Sunday School: 9:00 a.m.
Sunday Worship Service: 10:30 a.m.
Bible Study @ Noon and 6:00 p.m.
Webmaster: T_Byrd@msn.com
| New Hope Baptist Church |
Note: The History of New Hope Baptist Church is Copyrighted
material and may not be reproduced in any medium without the
express, written permission of the New Hope Baptist Church
Historian.
material and may not be reproduced in any medium without the
express, written permission of the New Hope Baptist Church
Historian.