About Us

New Hope Christian Church Disciples of Christ

Historical Sketch

1923 – 2023

 

1923 – 1953

• Established under the Oak Tree:  Founding Families – Brother Felix Hagood, Brother Phinizy Hagood, Brother George Brown, Brother Hector Rivers and Brother Bennie Scriven

• First Building – Board Frame Church construction by Saul Tolbert for the sum of $70.00

• Pastors – Reverend BJ Kearse, Reverend McCray (State Evangelist) Reverend Heyward, Elder George Brown, Reverend Warren, Reverend Roger Williams, Evangelist Kinard, and Reverend Johnson

• Ordained Elders and Deacons – Elder Hector Rivers and Elder Hezekiah Dore; Deacons – Felix Hagood, Aldrich Glaze, David Hagood, Bennie Lee, Cephus Allen, George Bing, Ellis Heyward, Milledge Pippins, Nathan Griffin, and James Washington

• November 18, 1946 – Property was deeded to the church by Mr. John Trask

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1953 – 1957

• Second Building – Cinder block building was constructed (now known as JJ Jamerson Fellowship Hall)

• Because of a grave misunderstanding within the church, the congregation split.  Pastor Johnson left along with some of the members and established Faithful Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

• Reverend HC Capers was called as Pastor and served for two years

• Brother Johnnie Williams, Brother Rhodell Horton, Brother Rollin Singleton and Brother Peter Doe were ordained as Deacons

• Deacon Aldrich Glaze was ordained as an Elder

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1958 – 1975

• Elder Hezekiah Dore was called into the Ministry

• Reverend JJ Jamerson was called to serve as Pastor of New Hope

• Brother James Doe was ordained as a Deacon

• A fellowship room was added to the building (kitchen)

• New Deacons were ordained – Holland Griffin, James Griffin, Leroy Doe and Brother James Haygood

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1976 – 1989

• Deacon Bennie Lee was ordained as an Elder

• Worship services were held the 2nd and 4th Sundays with communion

• Quarterly Youth services were instituted

• The Christian Men Fellowship was organized

• The first church anniversary was celebrated the week before the 4th Sunday in January

• Reverend Ozark Raine of Fort Meyers, Florida was the guest speaker for the week

• New Deacons were ordained – Deacons Isiah Gadson, Joe W. Brown, Willie Singleton, Jr., David Hagood, Joe N. Jenkins and Herbert Glaze

• Deacon Johnnie Williams was ordained as Elder

• Brother Reginald and Deacon Jim Haygood were ordained as Ministers

• The Children’s Choir was organized

• The first Women’s Day Worship Services were held

• The Young Adult Choir was organized

• A banquet was held in honor of New Hop senior members

• Due to his failing health, Pastor Jamerson appointed Minister Jim Haygood to perform his pastoral duties until his health improved

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1990 – 1999

• Reverend Jim Haygood was called as Pastor and served until 1993

• Deacon Joe W. Brown was ordained as an Elder

• Deacon David Hagood was called into the ministry

• Organization of the Junior Usher Board

• The Teen Forum, Annual Church Picnic, Church Youth Softball League and Quarterly Fun and Fellowship Night was organized

• The church newsletter, “The New Hope Informer” was published

• Deacons ordained:  Clyde Beard and Willis Mack

• Reverend Charles Wright was called as Pastor

• Family and Friends Week was instituted with the celebration of the Church Anniversary

• New Hope Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) became incorporated

• Church Constitution and By-Laws were adopted

• Groundbreaking ceremony for the new (present) sanctuary

• Pastor Charles Wright resigned

• Reverend David Hagood was called as Interim Pastor

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2000 – 2012

• Reverend Edward L. Cushingberry, Jr. called as the first full time Pastor

• Hosted the Regional Conference of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

• Deacons Herbert N. Glaze and Willie Singleton, Jr. were ordained as Elders

• Deacons ordained:  Willie McDuffie, Robert Sloan, Sidney Ladson

• Clifford Johnson, Duke Washington, Sharon Beard and Bridget Collier

• Acolyte Ministry organized

• Drama Ministry organized

• Men’s Bible Study group established

• Petition to have a traffic light installed on Parris Island Gateway

• The passing of First Lady Donna Cushingberry

• Combined baptismal service for New Hope and Faithful Christian Church held at New Hope

• Second Chance Clothing Outreach Ministry organized

• Bread of Heaven Food Outreach Ministry organized

• Twenty-Five (25) passenger bus was purchased

• Capital Food Fund and Commitment Services was held for construction of a Christian Education and Fellowship center

• “The New Hope Academy” – an all-day summer camp was organized

• Dance Ministry revived and renamed – “Liturgical Dance Ministry”

• Deacon Willie McDuffie was called into the Ministry

• Evangelist Wanda Glaze was given the right hand of fellowship as a member

• Minister Willie McDuffie delivered his initial sermon and received his license to become a Minister of the Christian Church of South Carolina (March 28, 2011)

• September 29 – October 2:  Hosted the 8th Annual Regional Conference of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of South Carolina

• Twenty-one families were added to the church family in 2011 (fifteen were baptized, one Renewal and five with Christian Experience)

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This is a condensed version of the Church History.  A more detail history with specific dates of events is on file in the Church Office