CHURCH HISTORY

. . . and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  
Matthew 16:18

March 18, 1928 by the wisdom of God, eight men, some of which were former deacons of Mount Olive Baptist Church met at the Community House located at 22 Avon Street, Hartford, Connecticut to organize a church.  The eight trusting that God was leading there were:  Deacons O. T. Thomas, Gainer Jackson, Ivan Atkins, Jessie Hicks, Jeff McKenzie, E. J. Glover, Alex Jones and Ben Hicks.

On that particular Sunday, the weather was stormy with a mixture of snow and sleet.  Deacon O. T. Thomas was hesitant about going out in the bad weather, his wife encouraged him to venture out and upon his arrival at the community house, he was surprised to see a large crowd already there.

The meeting was called to order and they sung a hymn, "A Few More Years Shall Roll and A Few More Seasons to Come."  Deacon Thomas read the first scripture, St. John 1: 1 and the first prayer was led by Rev. R. L. Walker.  They then sang, "Father I Stretch My Hands To Three", the Holy Spirit came and made a church in the hearts of the people.  Deacon Thomas was elected as Chairman of the Deacon Board and 75 people united with the Church.  Seven were candidates for Baptism.  Brother Jasper J. Howard was chosen/appointed to name the Church.   After some deliberation and with the assistance of Deacon Thomas, Hopewell Baptist  was chosen.  The first Church Treasurer was Deacon John C. Lee and Dr. E. J. Glover was elected first Church Clerk.

During the next week, the caretaker of the Community House informed Deacon Thomas that the members could no longer use the center.  The officers and their wives immediately started searching for a new place.  On Saturday, Deacon John Hicks of the Primitive Baptist Church on Warren Street made provisions for the Hopewell members to worship there.  That Sunday morning, the spirit of the Lord filled the Church.  Rev. R LK. Walker preached a heart-warming message, thereby adding forty-eight members to the fold.  Forty-four persons united with the church the following Sunday with the spirited filled message that was delivered by Rev. C. H. Moreland.

Ina conversation with Eddie, the pharmacist, Deacon Thomas was informed of an available site at 85 Pleasant Street and with the aid of a lawyer, Deacons Thomas, Glover and Lee obtained a lease for eighteen months.

After 18 months, Hopewell purchased a building at 114 Wooster Street for $22,000.00 and installed a boiler for $7,000.00.  God had provided for the needs of his people.

In July of that year Rev. S., B. Oates of Albany, GA was called to serve as Hopewell's First Pastor.  Other Pastors that followed were:  Rev. L. Davis of Savannah, GA; Rev. Houston Crutchfield of New Rochelle, NY, who served for six years and under his pastorate the Church's second mortgage was burned in January, 1938.  After Rev. Crutchfield, Rev. Luther A. Holloway was called and served a short time.  Rev. D. S. Craig was called and he pastored for 14 years.  Under his leadership, the church raised $29,000.00 which paid all debts and new carpet and pews were installed.  Many souls were added to the membership.   In May of 1958, Rev. Timothy Mitchell was called to lead the flock and under this leadership which was a little more than 3 years;  he gathered 278 sheep to the membership and was at the helm when another $65,000 indebtedness was paid.  Rev. Mitchell started a building fund in the amount of $0.10 per year for anniversary assessment.  That was the beginning of the Building Fund.

July 27, 1962, Rev. Edward R. King became the Pastor.  During his tenure of five years, Rev. King led the membership to purchase a parsonage on Cornwall Street and 265 Enfield Street.  He organized the Hospitality Club, the E. R. King Ensemble (now known as Concert Choir).  Women's Guild (now known as Women's Day) spearheaded by Sis. Esther Riley.  Under his leadership, Mother Frances Jackson, a very faithful and dedicated woman who loved the Lord and her Church, spearheaded the Baptismal Pool was supported by the membership.  July 25, 1969, Rev. William J. McKissick was called to lead the flock.  He was a man of great courage and keen vision.  He was an inspiration to the youth and their Christian Service and activity.   Along with Sis. Susie Givens, the Celestial Choir was reorganized, the President's (Officers Council) Usher Board #2 was formed, the Willing Workers was organized and the Founders' Plaque was hung in the vestibule.  The burning of the mortgage for the parish House and Church was led through the insight and determination of Sis. Susie Washington.

Rev. George Exum served as Interim Pastor, and on October 19. 1978 was called as the pastor of the flock.  Under his leadership, Deacon Glover Thompson spearheaded Senior Citizens Day, Handicap Day and installation of a chair lift and plans for a handicap bathroom, with the aid of the Fellowship Auxiliary, Discipleship Training and New Members Committee was formed, led by Sis. Emma Thompson (Coleman).  In 1983/1984, the Soup Kitchen was started with input from Deacon Albert Farmer and Deacon Willie Washington who became the first to oversee the project.

After the resignation of Rev. Exum in 1991, Hopewell was left without a pastor for three years.  During that time, Deacon Robert Bolden, Chairman of the Board, a very capable, strong and spiritual leader, kept the church family spiritually focused.  For three years, many members came out at 6:00 a.m. to pray and ask God for his guidance.

In August of  1994, God sent the Rev. David L. Massey of Monroe, N.C. to Pastor the Hopewell Baptist Church.  Under his leadership the Women's Ministry, Men's Ministry, Tape Ministry and Seniors on the Move were organized.

The membership continues to grow which is a blessing from the Lord.  In January, 1998, Rev. Massey presented a Capital Building Campaign to the membership called "Vision 2,000" emphasizing "The Team Approach" to Ministry:  People working together for the benefit of the whole.