| New hope baptist church 5002 s. Central expressway Dallas, Texas |
Dallas' Oldest African-American Witness
Founded in 1873 by African-Americans
Founded in 1873 by African-Americans
| The History of the New Hope Baptist Church Continued...... |
The Central Forum became one of the leading platforms from which the voice of the new Negro was heard and from which the
crusade for first class citizenship in Texas was launched. New Hopers like Rev. Maynard H. Jackson, A. Maceo Smith, Dr. Richard
T. Hamilton, Charles Griggs and Dr. Joseph J. Rhoads furnished some of the most brilliant and dynamic leadership for the
movement for equality which had its grandest hours in the thirties and forties. New Hope Church became a center of freedom
activities and its membership became a fountain of courage for those who struggled to create the awareness, the unity, and the
finances needed to promote through the Courts the cause of wider democratic participation in Texas.
In addition to his pastoral duties, Rev. Maynard H. Jackson was a leader of the Co-operative Movement, Secretary of the Negro
Chamber of Commerce, leader of the NAACP and founder of the Progressive Voters League, local and state. This group was
organized in Dallas, Texas in 1934 as a nonpartisan organization under the leadership of Rev. Maynard H. Jackson and A. Maceo
Smith. As president of the Dallas Progressive Voters League, the Rev. Jackson called on Negroes in other parts of Texas to join the
determined fight for the right to vote in Texas. In the face of defeat in the Grovey Case, the State Progressive Voters League was
organized on June 19, 1936 at Dallas with Rev. Maynard H. Jackson as president.
The purpose of the State organizations was to unite and educate politically all qualified voters who were interested in men and
measures and the general welfare of the citizens of Texas. With the cooperation of the New Hope membership, Rev. Jackson made
many trips to Austin and Washington and around the country promoting the cause of freedom. New Hope Church became known
widely as a church engaged in the Christian mission of setting "captives free". New Hopers played a significant part in winning the
Smith vs. Alwright Case in 1944 when the white primary restrictions against Negro voters came tumbling down.
As a spokesman for the New Freedom movement, Rev. Maynard H. Jackson perpetuated the heritage of New Hope Church. To
this cause he gave himself fully seizing every opportunity to advance the status of his people. When the Dallas Negro Chamber of
Commerce was rebuffed in its campaign to obtain employment for Negroes in Federal agencies of Dallas, he sent a lengthy
telegram to a relative who was the valet of President Roosevelt describing the situation. The relative pinned the telegram to the
Presidents' pillow. The effort bore fruit for shortly afterwards, local officials became friendlier and the doors to employment began
gradually opening.
Dr. M. H. Jackson resigned in 1945 to become pastor of the Historic Friendship Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia. The
community of Dallas, the state of Texas and the Southwest Region as well as New Hope Church suffered a great loss in leadership
for "he was inspiration and aspiration for many organizations and individuals in every walk of life."
During the interim between Reverend M. H. Jackson and Reverend Ora M. Locust, the Reverend K. B. Polk served as acting
pastor. Because of his long and successful career in education and administration, he was able to contribute much to the church
and solid progress was made under his leadership.
The Reverend Ora M. Locust brought to the church the experience of a distinguished ministry. He was born in Kenia, Ohio. He
graduated from Wilberforce and Ohio Wesleyan Universities, receiving the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from the former
in 1939. While serving as pastor in Kansas, he was professor of English Bible and Homiletics in Central Baptist Theological
Seminary at Topeka, Kansas.
Dr. Locust was very active in the development of the National Baptist Sunday Schools and B.T.U. Congress and had contributed to
the Sunday School Informer. After coming to Dallas in 1946, he continued working with the National Baptist Convention Auxiliaries
and became very active in the Associational and State Baptist Convention work. He was much in demand as a speaker in colleges
and universities and to cultural groups. As a pastoral-evangelist, he conducted meetings in leading churches of the nation.
Dr. Locust was a "grass roots" preacher, and he added well over two hundred members to the church in his short stay. The first
phase of the remodeling program of the church which was initiated by Dr. M. J. Jackson was completed. The organizational
structure of the church was greatly strengthened and the ministries of the church were felt throughout the community. The years
from 1945 through 1951 witnessed many changes in the physical and spiritual life of the church.
Like his predecessors, Dr. Locust became greatly involved in community affairs, The Big Brothers Movement and the Progressive
Voters League. The Texas Council of Negro Organizations used this dynamic preacher fully. His involvement in the community
could not have been without the excellent cooperation of the officers and members of the church.
The work of home and foreign missions weighed heavily on the heart of Dr. Locust and in 1951, he resigned to become associated
with the National Baptist Convention Mission Board. His contributions in this area have been tremendous.
The period from 1952 to 1957 was one of quiet but steady progress at New Hope Church. Three splendid ministers served during
this period. Reverend Clifford Jackson served as interim following Dr. O. M. Locust. Reverend Merrill Booker served between
1953 and 1956 and Dr. D. Edwin Johnson served as interim pastor following Reverend Booker. Improvements were made in the
physical plant including the installation of air-conditioning. The Church became more closely with the Baptist Missionary and
Educational Convention and with other aspects of the Denominational work. The Training Union became one of the largest in the
city. Two choirs were organized and two full time musicians were employed. New Hope pioneered in bringing to Dallas a play
which was staged by an inter-racial cast. This was perhaps the first time such an adventure had been successfully conducted.
Generally, the period 1952-1957 witnessed steady progress toward the realization of the ideals of the founders.
The Reverend H. Rhett James became pastor of New Hope church in 1958. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he graduated from the
Phyllis Wheatley High School of San Antonio, Texas. He was educated at Virginia Union, Our Lady of the Lake, and Texas
Christian Universities, being the first Negro to receive the Master of Theology degree from the last. Before coming to New Hope, he
taught in the public schools of San Antonio and at Virginia Union University. He was serving at the Moore Street Baptist Church in
Richmond, Virginia. Since being in Dallas, he has taught at Bishop College as Assistant Professor of History and Director of Church
Relations in the office of Development. He has served also as exchange visiting professor between Bishop College and the
University of Texas at Arlington.
The Reverend James came to the church committed to "Building under God's Command a greater New Hope." At once, he
addressed himself to budget reforms, to improving the worship and teaching programs, and to the improvement of the physical
plant. The fellowship hour in the foyer after morning worship became one of the important cementing bonds of the membership.
To the already established organizations were added the Men's Progressive League, The Women's Progressive Club, and The
Commission on Youth and The Garden Club.
Increased attendance and activities among the auxiliaries led to the addition of an education building and the redecorating of the
church auditorium. The old building on San Jacinto became one of the most beautiful and serviceable church plants in Dallas. The
basic activities of preaching, teaching and missions were greatly enhanced by a well organized program of social, cultural, and
youth activities which have contributed much to the community.
The pressure of change in downtown Dallas, particularly the free ways that cut across the church property, led the congregation to
decide to build a new edifice for the development of God's program. A completely new modern edifice valued at over one half
million dollars on seven and one half acres of land was erected in South Dallas and the congregation has been worshipping there
ever since. The erection of this magnificent building is indeed a glorious chapter in the history of the church. It is a romance of
service from "Log Cabin to Cathedral" for true to its historical heritage, New Hope Church still goes on transplanting its heart from
the brick and mortar Temple to the market places of human need. The New Hope of 1973, like each generation of the past, seeks
creative encounters with the future and goes on contributing to the reshaping of the contours of society. It pastor and members
have gone into the community applying the principals of Christ at Society's intersections. The "Gospel Wagons" and street
preaching of the earlier days, the ministries to those in jail, and in hospitals, the various benevolences and charities, efforts to
minister to the needs of all ages and conditions of men attest to this fact.
The impact of New Hope Church upon the community was reflected in the naming of so many public places and facilities for its
members. The Fannie C. Harris, the Priscilla L. Tyler, the Joseph J. Rhodes, The K. B. Polk, and the Maynard H. Jackson
elementary schools are all named for New Hopers. The J. L. Turner Courts, the Joseph J. Rhoads Courts, Edgar Ward Courts,
Charles Brackens Village, the Caston Arms Housing Project, and Hamilton Park, sub-division of private housing, are all named for
New Hopers. Griggs Park was named in honor of the second pastor of the church. The Cooper Dental Society honors another
attendant at New Hope. In the long struggle for an expanding democracy for Negroes in Texas, the Texas Press reveals Dallas as
one of the centers of protest and prominent among its leaders are New Hopers like W. E. King, E. W. Dl. Isaac, A. S. Jackson, Jr.,
Maynard H. Jackson~ Charles R. Griggs, A. Maceo Smith, Joseph J. Rhoads, R. T. Hamilton, and J. L. Turner. In their day, these
men, and such others like them, moved among the people like the prophets of old, pleading that justice might run like a mighty river.
crusade for first class citizenship in Texas was launched. New Hopers like Rev. Maynard H. Jackson, A. Maceo Smith, Dr. Richard
T. Hamilton, Charles Griggs and Dr. Joseph J. Rhoads furnished some of the most brilliant and dynamic leadership for the
movement for equality which had its grandest hours in the thirties and forties. New Hope Church became a center of freedom
activities and its membership became a fountain of courage for those who struggled to create the awareness, the unity, and the
finances needed to promote through the Courts the cause of wider democratic participation in Texas.
In addition to his pastoral duties, Rev. Maynard H. Jackson was a leader of the Co-operative Movement, Secretary of the Negro
Chamber of Commerce, leader of the NAACP and founder of the Progressive Voters League, local and state. This group was
organized in Dallas, Texas in 1934 as a nonpartisan organization under the leadership of Rev. Maynard H. Jackson and A. Maceo
Smith. As president of the Dallas Progressive Voters League, the Rev. Jackson called on Negroes in other parts of Texas to join the
determined fight for the right to vote in Texas. In the face of defeat in the Grovey Case, the State Progressive Voters League was
organized on June 19, 1936 at Dallas with Rev. Maynard H. Jackson as president.
The purpose of the State organizations was to unite and educate politically all qualified voters who were interested in men and
measures and the general welfare of the citizens of Texas. With the cooperation of the New Hope membership, Rev. Jackson made
many trips to Austin and Washington and around the country promoting the cause of freedom. New Hope Church became known
widely as a church engaged in the Christian mission of setting "captives free". New Hopers played a significant part in winning the
Smith vs. Alwright Case in 1944 when the white primary restrictions against Negro voters came tumbling down.
As a spokesman for the New Freedom movement, Rev. Maynard H. Jackson perpetuated the heritage of New Hope Church. To
this cause he gave himself fully seizing every opportunity to advance the status of his people. When the Dallas Negro Chamber of
Commerce was rebuffed in its campaign to obtain employment for Negroes in Federal agencies of Dallas, he sent a lengthy
telegram to a relative who was the valet of President Roosevelt describing the situation. The relative pinned the telegram to the
Presidents' pillow. The effort bore fruit for shortly afterwards, local officials became friendlier and the doors to employment began
gradually opening.
Dr. M. H. Jackson resigned in 1945 to become pastor of the Historic Friendship Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia. The
community of Dallas, the state of Texas and the Southwest Region as well as New Hope Church suffered a great loss in leadership
for "he was inspiration and aspiration for many organizations and individuals in every walk of life."
During the interim between Reverend M. H. Jackson and Reverend Ora M. Locust, the Reverend K. B. Polk served as acting
pastor. Because of his long and successful career in education and administration, he was able to contribute much to the church
and solid progress was made under his leadership.
The Reverend Ora M. Locust brought to the church the experience of a distinguished ministry. He was born in Kenia, Ohio. He
graduated from Wilberforce and Ohio Wesleyan Universities, receiving the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from the former
in 1939. While serving as pastor in Kansas, he was professor of English Bible and Homiletics in Central Baptist Theological
Seminary at Topeka, Kansas.
Dr. Locust was very active in the development of the National Baptist Sunday Schools and B.T.U. Congress and had contributed to
the Sunday School Informer. After coming to Dallas in 1946, he continued working with the National Baptist Convention Auxiliaries
and became very active in the Associational and State Baptist Convention work. He was much in demand as a speaker in colleges
and universities and to cultural groups. As a pastoral-evangelist, he conducted meetings in leading churches of the nation.
Dr. Locust was a "grass roots" preacher, and he added well over two hundred members to the church in his short stay. The first
phase of the remodeling program of the church which was initiated by Dr. M. J. Jackson was completed. The organizational
structure of the church was greatly strengthened and the ministries of the church were felt throughout the community. The years
from 1945 through 1951 witnessed many changes in the physical and spiritual life of the church.
Like his predecessors, Dr. Locust became greatly involved in community affairs, The Big Brothers Movement and the Progressive
Voters League. The Texas Council of Negro Organizations used this dynamic preacher fully. His involvement in the community
could not have been without the excellent cooperation of the officers and members of the church.
The work of home and foreign missions weighed heavily on the heart of Dr. Locust and in 1951, he resigned to become associated
with the National Baptist Convention Mission Board. His contributions in this area have been tremendous.
The period from 1952 to 1957 was one of quiet but steady progress at New Hope Church. Three splendid ministers served during
this period. Reverend Clifford Jackson served as interim following Dr. O. M. Locust. Reverend Merrill Booker served between
1953 and 1956 and Dr. D. Edwin Johnson served as interim pastor following Reverend Booker. Improvements were made in the
physical plant including the installation of air-conditioning. The Church became more closely with the Baptist Missionary and
Educational Convention and with other aspects of the Denominational work. The Training Union became one of the largest in the
city. Two choirs were organized and two full time musicians were employed. New Hope pioneered in bringing to Dallas a play
which was staged by an inter-racial cast. This was perhaps the first time such an adventure had been successfully conducted.
Generally, the period 1952-1957 witnessed steady progress toward the realization of the ideals of the founders.
The Reverend H. Rhett James became pastor of New Hope church in 1958. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he graduated from the
Phyllis Wheatley High School of San Antonio, Texas. He was educated at Virginia Union, Our Lady of the Lake, and Texas
Christian Universities, being the first Negro to receive the Master of Theology degree from the last. Before coming to New Hope, he
taught in the public schools of San Antonio and at Virginia Union University. He was serving at the Moore Street Baptist Church in
Richmond, Virginia. Since being in Dallas, he has taught at Bishop College as Assistant Professor of History and Director of Church
Relations in the office of Development. He has served also as exchange visiting professor between Bishop College and the
University of Texas at Arlington.
The Reverend James came to the church committed to "Building under God's Command a greater New Hope." At once, he
addressed himself to budget reforms, to improving the worship and teaching programs, and to the improvement of the physical
plant. The fellowship hour in the foyer after morning worship became one of the important cementing bonds of the membership.
To the already established organizations were added the Men's Progressive League, The Women's Progressive Club, and The
Commission on Youth and The Garden Club.
Increased attendance and activities among the auxiliaries led to the addition of an education building and the redecorating of the
church auditorium. The old building on San Jacinto became one of the most beautiful and serviceable church plants in Dallas. The
basic activities of preaching, teaching and missions were greatly enhanced by a well organized program of social, cultural, and
youth activities which have contributed much to the community.
The pressure of change in downtown Dallas, particularly the free ways that cut across the church property, led the congregation to
decide to build a new edifice for the development of God's program. A completely new modern edifice valued at over one half
million dollars on seven and one half acres of land was erected in South Dallas and the congregation has been worshipping there
ever since. The erection of this magnificent building is indeed a glorious chapter in the history of the church. It is a romance of
service from "Log Cabin to Cathedral" for true to its historical heritage, New Hope Church still goes on transplanting its heart from
the brick and mortar Temple to the market places of human need. The New Hope of 1973, like each generation of the past, seeks
creative encounters with the future and goes on contributing to the reshaping of the contours of society. It pastor and members
have gone into the community applying the principals of Christ at Society's intersections. The "Gospel Wagons" and street
preaching of the earlier days, the ministries to those in jail, and in hospitals, the various benevolences and charities, efforts to
minister to the needs of all ages and conditions of men attest to this fact.
The impact of New Hope Church upon the community was reflected in the naming of so many public places and facilities for its
members. The Fannie C. Harris, the Priscilla L. Tyler, the Joseph J. Rhodes, The K. B. Polk, and the Maynard H. Jackson
elementary schools are all named for New Hopers. The J. L. Turner Courts, the Joseph J. Rhoads Courts, Edgar Ward Courts,
Charles Brackens Village, the Caston Arms Housing Project, and Hamilton Park, sub-division of private housing, are all named for
New Hopers. Griggs Park was named in honor of the second pastor of the church. The Cooper Dental Society honors another
attendant at New Hope. In the long struggle for an expanding democracy for Negroes in Texas, the Texas Press reveals Dallas as
one of the centers of protest and prominent among its leaders are New Hopers like W. E. King, E. W. Dl. Isaac, A. S. Jackson, Jr.,
Maynard H. Jackson~ Charles R. Griggs, A. Maceo Smith, Joseph J. Rhoads, R. T. Hamilton, and J. L. Turner. In their day, these
men, and such others like them, moved among the people like the prophets of old, pleading that justice might run like a mighty river.