The folks at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church have scheduled their annual workday for Saturday, May 3rd, and the make-up day in case of inclement weather for Saturday, May 31st. This year’s workday will be a busy one, as damage from recent storms will be the focus. An F-1 tornado struck the cemetery and the church on the morning of March 4th. There was considerable damage to both the church building and the cemetery, though most of the actual headstones survived without major damage. Members are still dealing with clean-up crews, construction crews, and insurance claims.
The damage was extensive with six or seven, mostly huge, cedar trees within the cemetery damaged, some of them probably several hundred years old. Some were blown over and unearthed by the roots while others broke in half with half of it still in the ground. Work is still being done to find all the monuments to check for damage.
There is no insurance on the cemetery to cover the extensive and expensive repairs, so donations are needed. Members have arranged to hire a tree service crew to come out, cut the trees up, haul out the big parts, grind the stumps, and burn what’s left. That work will be completed by the time we have the workday. I’m sure we will have plenty left to do though. Volunteers are encouraged to come ready to work, tools in tow, a snack or two to tide you through lunch, and plenty of water.
The origins of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and the adjoining cemetery go back more than 150 years. While the exact date is not known, the earliest minutes that have been found are dated April 1874. A Bro. H.H. ECHELS was the pastor and an F. GARRETT was the church clerk. In May of 1880, a Bro. POST preached for the church from the 22nd chapter of Luke. Apparently in September 1882, a Bro. J.R. ALEXANDER and a Bro. J.B. MOORE preached one after the other on the same Sunday. In April 1883, it is recorded that the church met at the water for the baptism of Sister Sallie DAVIS.
Most recently, DeKalb educator Bro. Sam Reeves was called as Pastor in 1985. During this time, the old building was bricked around. Continued work has been done on the Sunday School rooms to make them more effective. The church currently associates with the American Baptist Association, the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas, and the Red River Bowie Missionary Baptist Association. The church currently gives 10% in its income to missions.
Although the old building is not seen, it is still there, covered by brick. And surely as New Hope continues its service for the Master, it is surrounded by a host of witnesses, those who have preached and worshipped there.
If you would like to make a general donation or a special donation to help with the cedar tree project, please mail a check payable to New Hope Community Cemetery to: Jennifer Davis Matteson, 1213 US Hwy 259S, DeKalb TX 75559.
With questions or concerns, call any Board Member: Simona Kennedy 903.826.1839, Annette Shumake Kinney 903.748.3222, Jennifer Davis Matteson 903.278.3609, Ronnie McMillon 903.314.0577, James Moore, II 903.244.6686, Vivian Taylor Reid 903.293.2591, Carol Leftwich White 903.276.1919
