New Hope Missionary Baptist Church

Beneath the vibrant Dallas sky, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church stands as a testament to faith, resilience, and the pursuit of equality. New Hope Missionary Baptist Church isn’t just a building. It’s a living echo of Dallas’s history, intertwined with the struggles and triumphs of its Black community. Founded in 1873 by seven courageous families, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church holds the distinction of being the first church in Dallas organized entirely by African Americans. Their initial meetings took place in a humble log cabin home near present-day Fairmount Street and Munger Avenue, a testament to their unwavering faith. Soon after, the church moved a few blocks east, closer to what would become Central Expressway. Under the guidance of Reverend Allen R. Griggs, who became pastor in 1874, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church quickly became a beacon of hope and progress. Griggs established a grammar school for formerly enslaved people in 1875, followed by the city’s first high school for freed children in 1878. He also founded the state’s first African American newspaper that same year, amplifying the voices and stories of the community. The church’s impact extended beyond education. It hosted significant events, like the 1893 Colored State Baptist Convention, a three-day conference focused on Black progress since the Civil War. Reverend A. S. Jackson, the church’s longest-serving pastor, continued this legacy. He brought nationally renowned figures like Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois to Dallas. New Hope Missionary Baptist Church also championed voter registration and poll tax payment within the African American community. New Hope Missionary Baptist Church fostered leaders in various fields. Six members have even had schools named after them. Among them is Reverend Griggs, whose name graces Griggs Park near the church’s original location. Another notable member, Frederica Chase Dodd, co-founded Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at Howard University and became a pioneering Black social worker in Texas. Maynard Jackson Jr., grandson of Reverend Jackson, became Atlanta’s first African American mayor. In 1968, as it approached its centennial, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church relocated to its current sanctuary three miles south. The move marked a new chapter but didn’t diminish its commitment. Its “Showers of Blessing” ministry for the indigent exemplifies its enduring dedication to service and creating positive change within the city. New Hope Missionary Baptist Church’s journey is a testament to the power of faith, community, and the pursuit of a better future.