The History of New Hope Baptist Church

1920 - Present

The Rev. James Pinkney Edgar Love, Organizing Pastor

The Rev. Dr. M. Frances Manning - Fontaine, Senior Pastor/Teacher

CONTINUING THE LEGACY - IMPACTING OUR CULTURE FOR CHRIST

As we enter the nintieth year of Christian service in New Hope Baptist Church of Hackensack, N.J. we pause to reflect upon our journey. Our first task is to honor God and to acknowledge those saints who came before us; for we stand on their shoulders and enjoy the fruit of their labor.

In the Church anniversary journal entitled "Celebrating 75 years 1920--1995" we are told that New Hope Baptist Church of Hackensack is a split from Mount Olive Baptist Church. It was organized July 2, 1920 and received recognition of the North Jersey Permanent Council on July 18th of the same year. One of the first concerns was choosing a name... New Hope Baptist Community Church was adopted.

The church cornerstone indicates that New Hope was organized under the name New Hope Baptist Community Church in 1920 ;but was incorporated on January 11, 1921 as New Hope Baptist Church of Hackensack, N. J. Said meeting of the Church to approve incorporation was held the seventh day of January 1921 at Holt's Hall Berdan Place at which time the following officers were elected: President: James P.E.Love Secretary: Frederick Himmed. Five trustees were elected: John L. Brooks (3 years) Albert L. Washington (two years) Edward White (2 years) William Russell (1 year) Samuel Walker (1 year)

For two years, (1920 - 1922)services were held in Holt's Hall on Berdan place and Railroad Avenue. The numbers were few but the dedication was tremendous. They did not have a building in which to worship; but what was lacking in physical accommodations was more than compensated for by the spiritual energy exemplified by the small but loyal group..The spirit which empowered the congregation was akin to that shown by the worshippers of the early church centuries ago. This band of Christian believers was  fired with a sincere desire to worship God under their "own vine and fig tree". Our organizing Pastor Rev. J. P.E. Edgar Love was a man inspired by God with much fortitude and an abundance of foresight. It was through his skill and genius aided by the official board that the Church acquired the site upon which we now worship. Through Dr. Love's dreams and long cherished hopes the present edifice was erected in 1922..

A visionary ahead of his time, he recognized Black power as early as 1920 when he sent for Black Carpenters from his native state of N.C. who came to Hackensack to build our beloved New Hope. The going was not easy. Much sacrifice was called for on the part of the membership who was devoted to a cause they believed to be right. They were confronted with financial as well as other obstacles, but through prayer and a sincere desire to glorify God the Lord brought them safely through to the erection of the sanctuary.. After 19 years of faithful service (1920 - 1939) Pastor Love saw fit to resign and was elected Pastor emeritus in May 1939.

The Reverend Fred Harris served as interim Pastor until the summer of 1939 when Reverend Leonard E. Terrell of Washington D.C. began his watch. Under his leadership, the membership voluntarily made many improvements including the purchase of apartments in the rear of the Church which became known as Terrell Annex that now serves the Church nursery and as a general gathering place. Reverend Terrell served New Hope for seven years before he accepted the Pastorate of Bethel Institutional Church in Jacksonville, Florida

Once again an interim Pastor, Reverend Charles Guthrie, along with the officers, kept the pulpit supplied with ministers until June 1947. Not long after that, The Reverend W.H.E. Smith from the Condon Street Baptist Church in Providence, Rhode Island was called to the New Hope pastorate. He organized the following ministries:

The Lighted Cross was purchased for Communion, and the parking lot was obtained. An outside bulletin board was installed. Rev. Smith slipped into eternity on December 27, 1961.

In April of 1963, under the leadership of The Reverend Richard H. Puryear who came from Peekskill, New York, the parsonage was remodeled and the church was redecorated both inside and out. The apartment building in the rear was made available for Sunday school classes. The 75th Anniversary journal chronicles other changes which includes fencing in the parking lot with a chain link fence that was donated by the then New Hope Church Choir. The Sunbeam Choir, (Children's Choir) and Vacation Bible School were initiated. Reverend Puryear's pastorate terminated April 9,1970. He moved from New Hope went to organize Trinity Baptist Church of Hackensack on April 12, 1970. In September 1970 Reverend Moses A. Knott, Jr. of Hackettstown, New Jersey became interim minister. He was installed as Pastor, On April 13, 1975. Under his pastorate several properties were purchased:

• 204 Berdan Place
• 310 First Street
• 312 First Street (front and rear) and
• 322 First Street

The devoted membership worked hard, made many sacrifices and were steadfast in their service. Interior improvements were made in the sanctuary: Church pews were purchased and the restrooms renovated. The air-cooling and heating system was installed, and the audiovisual system was expanded. The Kitchen Committee renovated and equipped the kitchen. The Communion table cross, candlesticks, candles, a Bible stand and new Hymnals were purchased. The Deaconess Board refurbished the pulpit and altar furniture, an organ was purchased. A church van was purchased. The parking lot was paved and the annex renovated.

• The Senior Choir reorganized. The Young Adult Choir was reorganized as a teen Choir for ages 13-17, the remaining choir members were renamed The Inspirational Choir.
• The Junior Choir for children ages 6-12 was also founded.
• The Women's Day Choir was established and the United Voices of Hope, A mass choir for special occasions, was formed. The church increased in membership under the leadership of Reverend Knott and was actively engaged in civic and community affairs.
• The S.H.A.R.E. or (Self Help and Resource Exchange) program was organized. Boy Scout Troop # 715 was founded at New Hope.
• F.L.O.C. (Future leaders of the church) was formed.
• Reverend Knott created the program to feed the homeless.

After nearly two decades of faithful service Reverend Knott accepted a call to another field of service. . After Rev. Knott resigned, Rev. Vivian A. Williams an associate minister and the first woman to be ordained by the New Hope congregation, served as supply preacher when called upon by the Deacons. She also married, baptized and funeralized congregants, dedicated children to the Lord and presided over the serving of communion. . It was her hope to be called to Pastor the congregation but it was not to be. . . Reverend John W. Brown was elected by the congregation to serve as interim pastor until March of 1990.

The Reverend Christopher R. Battle, Sr. of Bowling Green, Kentucky, was called to New Hope on April 16, 1990. He initiated the anniversary recognition of those members serving more than fifty years. It was he who organized The Golden Gems of Wisdom (an organization for seniors and retirees). Reverend Battle resigned in 1992.

On May 7, 1993 New Hope Baptist Church voted unanimously to call as the seventh pastor The Reverend Dr. M. Frances Manning. She mounted the pulpit on Mother's Day May 9, 1993. In on September 19, 1993 , she became the First African American Woman to pastor an American Baptist Church in Northern New Jersey..

As of this writing, Pastor Manning(now Manning-Fontaine as of July 20, 2009) continues to lead through her strong emphasis on service, prayer, teaching and discipleship training/ equipping the body of Christ to do the work of the ministry: Matthew, 28; 18-20, "go therefore and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded". A few of her initiatives are detailed here under the headings of:

• Established Junior Church where worship is conducted by the children under the leadership of youth workers and the Deacon ministry.
• Organized "Judah" the Liturgical Dance Ministry.
• Purchased an XBE Hammond digital organ. . . cash.
• Re-vamped the Music Department through the appointing of a Minister of Music and redesigned the singing aggregation to the Sons and Daughters of Song, a Mass Choir, Master's Men Male Chorus, Youth Choir and the William C. Hall Male Chorus.
• Increased lay participation in the service.
• Instituted pre-worship praise preparation.
• Installed closed circuit Television.
• Celebrated the 85th Church Anniversary.
• Organized PRAYERWORKS a Church wide intercessory prayer ministry.

Learning

• Instituted New Member and extended New member orientation.
• Produced curriculum training guides for New members orientation and Deacon Training.
• Continued Youth Development Ministry.
• Began through the Bible in Five years - a cursory view of the Word of God.
• Established the School of Discipleship Training (SODT) to equip believers and prepare leaders. The School observes Annual graduation exercises.
• Initiated S.I.S. Academy (Sisters Initiating Sisters) for girls ages 9-12. Rites of Passage for girls 13 - 17, Rites of Passage/mentoring for women ages 18 and up where they receive Biblical instruction and learn the importance of spiritual Sistership and Christian love.
• Initiated Men Mentoring Men -- Rites of Passage for young men of all ages where they receive Biblical instruction and learn to grow into manhood from their Christian brothers.
• Supervised the first Seminary interns (4).
• Partnered with New York Theological Seminary in establishing New Hope as an on site Theological Certificate training center.

Mission and Evangelism

• Began Church School Outreach Class in the Central Avenue and Newman Street housing projects.
• Changed F.L.O.C. (Future leaders of The Church) to become "Friends Leading Others To Christ" an evangelistic outreach Ministry.
• Initiated Annual Outdoor Tent Revival for Community outreach.
• Established HIV/AIDS Ministry (Mercy).
• Provides scholarshipl assistance to Church and community college bound students totaling several thousand dollars.
• Organized the now New Hope Community and Economic Development Corporation, Inc. faith based outreach initiative and obtained 501(c)(3) status through which Day Camping program and tutorial and GEPA services have been established.
• Produced website to provide the New Hope Church with a global presence and to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Established Home Bible study classes.
• Began in reach and outreach ministry to those of Caribbean extraction or relationship through marriage entitled THE CARIBBEAN CONNECTION
• Identified and fully furnished one of Church owned properties as Hope House a home for victims of hurricane Katrina that devastated the entire city of New Orleans in August 2005

Service

• A chair lift was installed for the Elderly and Disabled.
• Developed Outreach to Hackensack PBA with Pastor Manning as First Female Chaplain.
• Established joint venture with CENTRE FOR FOOD ACTION (CFA) where low income families are served through emergency food packaging, housing help, utility assistance, counseling and advocacy.
• Extended the Deacon Ministry, adding women as Deacons
• Organized Deacons/Deaconess/Missionaries into a comprehensive visitation team to visit and commune the sick and shut-ins as well as provide other services that may be needed. at this writing this ministry is now comprised of Deacons and Deacons assistants.
• Purchased and paid cash for a 24 passenger bus
• Created get out of debt emphasis through which qualifiying members are delivered out of revolving credit debt.
• Teaches the get out of debt emphasis to other Church and Denonminational leaders

Fellowship

• Instituted Bi-annual New Members Fellowship through the Birth Month Fellowship where new members are placed into Tribes named after Israel.
• Re- instituted Annual Friends and Family Day.
• Began "Body" Life annual fellowship where gifts of ministries are celebrated either through song or sermon and song.
• Started annual "Jazzy Christmas" vesper-like service where jazz musicians from the Church and environs come together to celebrate the Christ child using their gifts and instruments.
• Organized Elders Ministry that is comprised of those members 70 and oldet who have been members of the Churh at least 25 years. They serve as mentors and role models to younger members and often offer advice to the Senior Pastor.

Stewardship

• Adopted tithes and offerings as method of church financing.
• Emphasized Community Development and Economic Empowerment(encouraging membership to invest in selves to pursue business ventures).
• Encouraged and adopted every member get out - of - debt program.
• Liquidated all Church debt so that as of this writing Church is now debt free
• Purchased 198 Berdan Place and 320 First Street thereby expanding Church ownership of adjacent properties.
• Gave Church interior and exterior a brightening "face-lift" thereby increasing worship appeal.
• Improved/maintains overall appearance of property through weekly landscaping/grounds keeping.
• Re-evaluated Church insurance coverage including property and vehicles .upgrading them to current replacement value while reducing the annual premium. Pastor and officers liability coverage were added as part of this package.
• Maximized Building fund averaging 20% returns through prudent investments.
• Is leading Church in Capital Campaign for $2.5MM 13.500 sq.ft. Building Project under the rubric -- Mobilizing for Ministry in the New Millennium.
• Conducts annual audits utilizing an outside accounting firm.

Administration

• Implemented computerized system for managing Church Resources and improved communication with congregation through electronic mail.
• Improved over all infrastructure and civil compliance of the Church.
• Renovated 6 room and bath double wide trailer donated by a community business to expand Church meeting facilities during building process.

God has poured out his blessing upon NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH throughout its history and continues to bless us as collectively we mobilize for Ministry in the New Millennium. As we can see, New Hope has long held God's favor. He has blessed us both financially as we strive to become a tithing congregation and spiritually as our ministries outgrow the space to accommodate them. In keeping with this growth, God has given us a vision to expand and build a Christian Life Center Multipurpose Building scheduled for completion in three years once building is underway.

This center will include:

• Banquet facilities that seat 300
• Baby changing stations in both men's and women's bathrooms
• Educational and recreational space
• Facilities for meetings, seminars and community support programs
• A library
• Access for the physically challenged
• Music offices
• Ministry offices
• Office for Pastor and support staff
• Office for officers
• Grounds that are upgraded to meet city codes
• Landscaped areas with improved lighting
• And a Memorial Prayer Garden

When the congregation was challenged by the Planning Board as to the feasibility of erecting this building, and application denied, Pastor Manning led them in an unprecedented five year land use battle against the city of Hackensack  (2000 - 2005) that resulted in the congregation winning the right to build according to their needs and vision... Supreme court judges ruled that the findings of the city of Hackensack were arbitrary and capricious with no finding of fact in any of their arguments why the Church could not build and their denial was overturned. The court ordered the return of the church's legal fees in excess of $30,000.00 that was returned to the Church treasury.

Future plans within the vision of Pastor and Congregation include renovation of the Church Sanctuary as well as State of the art nursery/child care facilities along with erection of mixed income housing for seniors and others.

In faith we give honor and glory to the Most High God for what he will do in our African American Church Family... we who are descendants of slaves. We continue to build upon the good of the past, rejoicing, honoring and thanking those on whose shoulders we proudly stand looking to the hills from whence comes our help knowing that our help comes from the Lord . We honor them for their steadfast faithfulness. We thank them for our rich heritage and the tradition of continued growth and building. They established a tradition of prayerfully moving forward through the empowerment of GOD'S WORD. We rejoice in knowing we also can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.

As we continue into the new Millennium, in the year 2010, albeit challenged by the downturn in the economy, we embrace the future prayerfully, sacrificially and joyfully, all mixed with an air of expectancy of God's abundant blessings. Our faith is in no less than the God who has been our help in ages past and our hope for years to come. THE YEARS WERE/ARE NOT/AND WE WILL NOT BE SILENT!!! 

Standing on God's shoulders to see His vision, we will continue in our quest  to impact our culture for Christ. HITHERTO has the Lord helped us. and LEGACY IS INDEED US...Come go with us as we CONTINUE THE LEGACY IN 2010...LET'S STEP UP AND GO GREEN FOR JESUS.