About Us

FROM THE BUSH HARBOR TO NEW HOPEWELL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

Our history timeline can be traced back to the early 1800's. The following recapitulation of our History was gleaned from initial accounts (presented each year on the first Sunday in August by our departed brother, past church clerk & historian, Deacon Sam "June" Graham), ancestry interviews, and archival records of Darlington County.

Before the Civil War of 1862, the Welch Neck Baptist Church located in Society Hill, SC, provided a place for slaves to worship during slavery and continued for some years after the abolition of slavery. Later, Antioch Baptist Church was built and blacks were allowed to sit quietly in the balcony.

Discontented, Blacks began to seek permission to depart from Antioch. Centuries ago, when people wanted to start a church, they usually met under a "bush harbor" (a rough log structure covered with bushes or tree branches). Not too far away from their previous worship location, approximately twenty members began their worship services underneath a "bush harbor." From this evolution, the New Hopewell Baptist Church was born. Denomination was recorded as "Negro Baptist." In 1865, before Blacks could be "officially" or "legally" released, Antioch held several church meetings to discuss emancipation of their "negro" counterparts.

Awaiting their release from Antioch Baptist Church, they continued to worship underneath the "brush arbor." The official board and members of New Hopewell forged their way to locate a building site and materials for the construction of a church. In 1871, Mrs. Lottie Cosom, a former slave, who had acquired land from her owners donated the first acre of land for the prospective church site. Mr. G. W. Pough, a White counterpart, donated the timber.

The first acre of land that was donated by Ms. Cosom for the new church was used for a cemetery. Later, the church acquired three additional acres - one acre was designated for construction, and two acres for the extension of the cemetery. A small wood frame church was erected in 1886 with Rev. Frank Bishop serving as the Pastor. In 1887, the church was enlarged 36' by 90'and additional architectural features were added, such as, plastered walls, 500 seating capacity, a tower and bell. The newly renovated structure estimated value was $1500. The next clergyman, Rev. Andrew Streater, served from 1887 to 1891. Sunday school and worship service were held each Sunday.

Prior to the construction of New Hopewell, in 1868, the church joined the Gethsemane Association (Upper Division) which convened at Calvary Baptist Church in Columbia, SC, with Rev. Frank Bishop attending as delegate. In 1869, Blacks were released from Antioch Baptist Church. Members of New Hopewell and their Pastor, Rev. James Smith, participated in the Lower Division of the Association, which was held at Mars Street Baptist Church in Charleston, SC.

On April 27, 1908, the trustees of New Hopewell (namely, George Bostic, Moses Catoe, and John Williams) had the one acre of land that was donated by Mrs. Cosom surveyed and secured a deed from her for this piece of property.

During the next decade, around 1917, New Hopewell continued to flourish. The membership grew tremendously and the need for additional space was evident. Under the leadership of Rev. W. M. Howard, a 10 ft. extension was added to the sanctuary. The following year, under the leadership of Rev. D. J. Johnson, additional renovations were completed. In 1932, with Rev. E. A. Spann as Pastor, the church unveiled long range archltectural plans to erect a new sanctuary.

In March 1935, Nellie R. Flowers, widow of Arthur L. Flowers sold 13.11 acres of land to New Hopewell Baptist Church for $200. The adjoining parcel of land (located north of Lottie Cosom's land and the church) was conveyed to Robinson School. On July 20, 1939, an additional parcel of land measuring 208.7 ft. by 215 ft. was purchased by the New Hopewell Board of Trustees (namely, Nathan Perkins, Major Davis, William Tedder) from Nellie Flowers in the amount of $5.00 and conveyed to the Board of Trustees of Antioch School District.

In 1962, Rev. P. M. Myers was hired and continued the legacy of Rev. E. A. Spann and oversaw construction of the new sanctuary. During Rev. Simon McKenny's pastorship (1966 to 1984), an educational wing was completed. Other additions and renovations included remodeling the choir loft, baptismal pool and new pews installed, parking lot was paved, facilities for handicap members were improved, and wheel chair ramps were erected.