[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 128 (Friday, October 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1785]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1785]]
                   HONORING NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCHs

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NICK LAMPSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 12, 2000

  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the New Hope Baptist 
Church in Port Arthur, Texas, which will be receiving a State 
Historical Marker from the Texas Historical Commission on October 15, 
2000. New Hope Baptist Church was the first African-American Baptist 
Church and was officially founded on August 12, 1906, but existed quite 
some time before that date. The church was first organized by the Rev. 
Stevenson, Sis. Copeland, Sis. Laura Hebert, and Sis. Sharlit Bill. New 
Hope was originally located on Titsingh Street (now known as Marian 
Anderson Avenue).
  As the African-American population grew, a larger place of worship 
was needed and a one-room building was rented on West 10th Street. The 
Rev. A.D. Hendon was the first official pastor and served one year and 
11 months. Professor A.J. Criner was the first Chairman of the Deacon 
Board, as well as the Principal of the African-American public school. 
The New Hope Baptist Church had 14 charter members, and some of the 
early members included: Rev. Stevenson, Sis. Copeland, Sis. Sharlit 
Bill, Sis. Laura Hebert, Nora Wade (King), Will King, M.G. Glass, A.J. 
Criner, Nellie Jones, Rev. A.D. Hendon, W.M. Richardson, Vallie Brown, 
J.W. Willis, W.P. Powell, A.W. Edwards, and Willie Braxton.
  The one-room building was used as a stable during the week. On 
Saturdays, the members would start clearing out the stable and 
assembling makeshift benches with boxes and planks for members to sit 
on. There was no pulpit. The minister would stand in front of the 
congregation with his Bible in hand and preach. The building would 
often flood and leak when it rained. Rev. J.E. Nelson was the second 
pastor and served one year, through 1909. During his administration, 
the first church was built at the same spot where the old structure 
stood. Hurricanes reportedly blew down two church buildings and early 
records were lost in floods and storms.
  New Hope developed a close relationship with the first Methodist 
Church of Port Arthur and Israel Chapel A.M.E. Church on Texas Avenue. 
Each alternated its services to allow the other to hold worship 
services in its sanctuary during a building program. Rev. J.W. Williams 
came in 1910 and rebuilt the church that was destroyed by a hurricane. 
However, this building was soon destroyed. Mr. Speaker, throughout the 
20th Century New Hope Baptist Church should serve as an example to us 
all--always keep the faith and hope to rebuild.

                          ____________________