Royse City in Rockwall County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

New Hope Baptist Church

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, September 2, 2026

1. New Hope Baptist Church Marker

Inscription.
Before the founding of both the town and county in which it is located, this predominately African American congregation has worshipped together. In 1859, settlers from around Texas and Oklahoma organized the church, naming it “First Colored Missionary Baptist Church”. Such an early date means the church is among the oldest continuously operating churches in the State of Texas. At the church’s formation, the membership likely included enslaved persons. Descendants of these founding members continued for many generations to call New Hope home. The church received property at 801 Greenville Road on November 3, 1868, and has worshipped at the site ever since. Early Juneteenth celebrations were also held here. The church held services on the property prior to issuance of the deed and the first church building was a worker’s shack. Under the leadership of Pastor Louis Rice, a permanent structure was built in 1914. Significant remodels or new buildings occurred in 1953, 1974 and 1994.

The name was changed to New Hope Baptist Church in 1906. New Hope was a centerpiece of the Royse City community. The church building served

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as a gathering space when representation was not allowed elsewhere. The church’s daily duties included not only religious, but family and educational support to local families. The church has numerous times advocated for education, evident by the fact that Royse City ISD named an educational building after longtime New Hope member and former trailblazing City Councilman Ernest Epps (1926-2008). The church has continuously adapted and grown with the community’s needs. New Hope Baptist Church is a fellowship of significant historical and cultural importance.

Erected 2022 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 23573.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is November 3, 1868.

Location. 32° 58.26′ N, 96° 19.402′ W. Marker is in Royse City, Texas, in Rockwall County. It is at the intersection of East Old Greenville Road and Cemetery Road, on the right when traveling east on East Old Greenville Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 Old Greenville Rd, Royse City TX 75189, United States

New Hope Baptist Church and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, September 2, 2026

2. New Hope Baptist Church and marker

of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Royse City Calaboose (approx. half a mile away); First United Methodist Church of Royse City (approx. half a mile away); Royse City's First United Methodist Church Building (approx. half a mile away); Royse City Lodge No. 663 A.F. & A.M. (approx. half a mile away); Bankhead Highway in Collin County (approx. 1.2 miles away); Fate Lodge No. 802, A.F. & A.M. (approx. 4 miles away); Fate Prebyterian Church (approx. 4 miles away); Blackland Cemetery (approx. 4.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Royse City.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.