Our History

For over 130 years Hopewell Baptist Church has continually lifted up Christ and been his witness in northern Mercer County. The church was organized on April 24, 1881 at the residence of John T. Vookies with 27 charter members. Soon thereafter, the church began meeting in the Hopewell Schoolhouse. The church voted to build a house of worship in October 1884, but was not financially able to do so. The congregation joined with the Christian Church, Presbyterians and Methodists and purchased the Baptist church building in Salvisa and moved it to the present site in 1885. By 1904 the other churches dispursed from the building, leaving Hopewell to remain.

In early years,there was  preaching only one Sunday a month, but the church offered Sunday School in the afternoon on the other three Sunday’s each month. By 1916, the church voted to have half-time preaching and went to full-time preaching in 1923. The first Women’s Missionary Society was organized in 1921 along with Baptist Young People’s Union (BYPU). The first Vacation Bible School was conducted in 1938 with an average of 72 in attendance.

In August 1925, the church voted to build a new building on the present site. The new building was dedicated on January 23, 1926. Cost for the new building totalled $37,000. In 1946, the church bought the Hopewell School and grounds, converting the building into a six-room parsonage.  A new red brick parsonage was built in 1972.

The church voted to build a new sancturay on December 6, 1987 at a cost of $225,000. In additon, they decided to use the old building for classrooms, giving the church three floors of classroom space. This work was completed in April 1991.

 

In 2011, the church voted to add two new foyers on the front of the building and renovate the entire old building. Today, a beautiful entrance, sanctuary along with an updated fellowship hall, children’s area and classrooom space awaits those who enter our facilites.

Through the years, Hopewell has had many  pastors and deacons who have faithfully lead the church to stay grounded in our roots but relevant to each new generation. Many members have come and gone but the work of God continues. May the Lord bless the church for many years to come with Godly leaders and members who stay true to the Gospel in reaching out with love and ministry in Jesus’ name.