New Hope Baptist Church
Waco, McLennan County, Texas
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 by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In the years before emancipation, some of Waco's Black residents worshiped at the city's first Baptist church. In 1866 that church's leaders — including Baylor University president Rufus Burleson — helped organize a separate congregation of eighteen members, named New Hope Baptist Church by its first pastor, the Rev. Stephen Cobb. In its early years the young congregation met in an old foundry, at the Howard Institute, and in a shared Methodist building before settling at its present site in 1923.
Why it matters
As one of the oldest Black Baptist churches in Waco, New Hope embodies the surge of independent African American religious life that followed emancipation across the South.
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Related people
- · Rufus Burleson
- · Stephen Cobb
- · S. G. O'Bryan
- · Richard Burleson
Themes & tags
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