New Hope Baptist Church is located on New Hope Road, a short distance from Alexandria. In 1817 Elder William Dale of Salem Church at Liberty began preaching at the home of Thomas Findley which was in this community. In 1818 an arm from Salem Church was established.

A building was completed and the first service was held at New Hope in October 1818 with 11 members present.

By March 27, 1819, the number had increased to 18 and the mission was constituted into an independent church.

At one time, New Hope had more members than any other church in the association, and was in every way one of the leading churches in the association.

This church first joined Concord Association in 1819 which convened at Providence Church. It was a constituent member of Salem Association in 1822 and has represented in this body ever since. By 1877 the church was the largest in Salem Association. It was then divided when Elder William J. Bomer led all but 16 members in another church. It divided again in 1839 and many of the members embraced the Primitive Baptist doctrine. This was the beginning of the Helton Creek Primitive Baptist Church.

New Hope Baptist Church is the mother of the following churches: Mount Zion, New Union, Cooper’s Chapel, and Alexandria Baptist, which is First Baptist Church.

In 1865 the church headed the list of Salem Association with 298 members. However, in 1902 the number dropped to 80 members.

An anniversary celebration will be held Oct. 6, 2019 with service at 11 am. A meal will be served from noon until 2pm.

A book of the History of New Hope Baptist Church has been compiled by Ria Baker and will be available to purchase.