History

The First Baptist Church of New Hope, Alabama was born on the evening of October 10, 1935 in the home of Mrs. Bessie Blackburn. Three ministers, Rev. H. M. Nipper, Rev. Henry Branumn, and Rev. Alonza Shubert, and thirteen other people gathered to organize a church with Rev. Nipper moderating. The church covenant was read and approved, and the articles of faith were read and adopted. The council declared them to be, and to constitute a Southern Baptist Church called the New Hope Baptist Church. The council recommended the church to the Fellowship of the Madison Baptist Association. Charter Members included T. F. Tidmore, Maggie Tidmore, Avery Tidmore, Haden Tidmore, Mrs. Aaron Passeur, Sammie Tidmore, Carl McCowan, Ernest Laverette, Mrs. Ernest Laverette, Mrs. A. G. Laverette, Mrs. Harry Blackburn, and Mrs. Nan Jones.

The first meetings and services were held in downtown New Hope above W. D. Pegues’ store where New Hope Café is currently located. The Masons also used this facility. Rev. Paul Goodner, known to the community as the "boy Evangelist" held a summer tent revival in New Hope and served as our first pastor. Service meetings later moved to the Tidmore Shoe Shop where Sutton’s Garage is now located. The church was accepted into the Madison Liberty Association in September 1936.