Waco in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

New Hope Baptist Church

Photographed By James Hulse, August 5, 2022

1. New Hope Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. In the years before 1865, some blacks in Waco worshiped at the city's First Baptist Church. In 1866 the congregation's pastor, Baylor University president Dr. Rufus Burleson, with the Rev. S.G. O'Bryan and Dr. Richard Burleson, organized a black church with 18 members. It was named the New Hope Baptist Church by its first pastor, the Rev. Stephen Cobb. During its early years the congregation held services in an old foundry, at the Howard Institute, and in a building shared with a local Methodist church. One of the oldest black Baptist churches in Waco, the congregation has met at this site since 1923.

Erected 1983 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3581.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 31° 33.699′ N, 97° 8.361′ W. Marker is in Waco, Texas, in McLennan County. Marker is at the intersection of North 6th Street and Bosque Blvd, on the right when traveling north on North 6th Street. The marker is located at the right side of the front entrance to the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 915 North 6th Street, Waco TX 76707, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of Waco Indian Village (approx. 0.2 miles away); Forsgard House

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Mount Zion United Methodist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); The C.C. McCulloch House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F & A.M. (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Lutheran Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); McLennan County Courthouse (approx. half a mile away); The Courthouses of McLennan County (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waco.

Also see . . .
1. Rufus Columbus Burleson. Wikipedia

Burleson was born near Decatur in northern Alabama. In 1840, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to study law at the University of Nashville but dropped out and started preaching at the First Baptist Church of Nashville. He fell ill in 1841, and taught in Mississippi until 1845. From 1846 to 1847, he attended the Western Baptist Literary and Theological Institute in Covington, Kentucky. He then preached at the First Baptist Church of Houston, Texas. On November 19, 1854, he baptized Sam Houston.

(Submitted on August 13, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. New Hope Baptist Church. Waco History

The
Photographed By James Hulse, August 5, 2022

2. The entrance to the New Hope Baptist Church and Marker
end of the Civil War brought new freedoms to African Americans residing in Waco. Though blacks had previously been allowed limited worship opportunities at First Baptist Church of Waco, several African American congregants desired to use their increased postwar liberty to found a church of their own. Assisted by Baylor University President Rufus Burleson and First Baptist Pastor S. G. O’Bryan, eighteen black members of First Baptist formed a Missionary Baptist church on June 10, 1866. They named the church New Hope, a title befitting the spirit of optimism that fueled its establishment. Source: Paul Fisher & Prisca Bird

(Submitted on August 13, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the New Hope Baptist Church and Marker from across the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, August 5, 2022

3. The view of the New Hope Baptist Church and Marker from across the street

Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 329 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 13, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.