Brief History of Church
History of Church
NEW HOPE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Organized May 26, 1838 in a school house near Troy (now Danville) 1/2 miles east of present church.
First Pastor: Rev. J.B. Stafford
Purpose: to enjoy the means of grace in a regular way according to their expressed wishes.
First members:
Jacob and Mary Ann Hinkle
Ann Gamble
Margaret Stafford
Thomas and Pimelia Mays
In 1859 David Settle began service as an Elder. His service was for 28 years. His son, J.R. Settle served for 41 years. His son S.L. Settle served 67 years as a deacon and son W.M. Settle 65 years as an elder, and their sons Albert and George served after them.
Other early families: Morrison, Lusk, Biggers, Hill, Dilworth, McCalla, Mitchell, Honnoll, Suitor, McHaffey, Rinehart, Huggins, Hudson, Johnson, Barker, Brawner, Doty and McCord
The sanctuary of the present building was completed in 1912.
The cemetery has served the community throughout its history. Dates on markers go back to the early 1830's.
Sunday School was first organized 1873.
Ladies Aid Society was organized by Miss Sallie McCalla in the late 1870's.
Youth group was organized by Miss Maytine Rinehart in 1923. An early youth leader was Mrs. Cora Powell Burnett.
After many years of being in a group of churches, in January 1982 New Hope called a full-time pastor (Rev. Robert W. Mayes).
Eight dedicated members, whose ancestors were early church members of New Hope, came by transfer from the Pleasant Ridge United Presbyterian Church after it was dissolved in September 1982.
New Hope has continued to realize a rich heritage- one of sending family descendents to witness for the Lord and yet maintaining a consistent church family group throughout the years.
Ministers who were church members:
John Joseph Hill
William Henderson Hill
Martin Huggins
NEW HOPE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Organized May 26, 1838 in a school house near Troy (now Danville) 1/2 miles east of present church.
First Pastor: Rev. J.B. Stafford
Purpose: to enjoy the means of grace in a regular way according to their expressed wishes.
First members:
Jacob and Mary Ann Hinkle
Ann Gamble
Margaret Stafford
Thomas and Pimelia Mays
In 1859 David Settle began service as an Elder. His service was for 28 years. His son, J.R. Settle served for 41 years. His son S.L. Settle served 67 years as a deacon and son W.M. Settle 65 years as an elder, and their sons Albert and George served after them.
Other early families: Morrison, Lusk, Biggers, Hill, Dilworth, McCalla, Mitchell, Honnoll, Suitor, McHaffey, Rinehart, Huggins, Hudson, Johnson, Barker, Brawner, Doty and McCord
The sanctuary of the present building was completed in 1912.
The cemetery has served the community throughout its history. Dates on markers go back to the early 1830's.
Sunday School was first organized 1873.
Ladies Aid Society was organized by Miss Sallie McCalla in the late 1870's.
Youth group was organized by Miss Maytine Rinehart in 1923. An early youth leader was Mrs. Cora Powell Burnett.
After many years of being in a group of churches, in January 1982 New Hope called a full-time pastor (Rev. Robert W. Mayes).
Eight dedicated members, whose ancestors were early church members of New Hope, came by transfer from the Pleasant Ridge United Presbyterian Church after it was dissolved in September 1982.
New Hope has continued to realize a rich heritage- one of sending family descendents to witness for the Lord and yet maintaining a consistent church family group throughout the years.
Ministers who were church members:
John Joseph Hill
William Henderson Hill
Martin Huggins
Looking Back over 175 Years
Tishomingo, Mis.
May 26, 1838 A few Presbyterians being convened at a school house near Troy, took into consideration the organization of a Presbyterian church, and resolved so to do. The following persons gave in their certificates of membership: Jacob Hinkle and his wife Mary Ann, Ann Gamble and Margaret Stafford, Tho. Mayes and wife Pamela were received on the knowledge of the fact that they were members. The above named persons anxious to enjoy the means of grace in a regular way according to their expressed wish, were organized by the Rev. J. B. Stafford into [a] Presbyterian Church, the Confession of Faith being adopted as the standard of their faith and practice. Resolved that this Church be called New Hope. Jacob Hinkle being an ordained elder, was elected and installed. The Rev. J. B. Stafford was chosen stated supply.
July 5th 1857
The session met & was opened with prayer. Members present, Jas. K. Morrison, R. R. R. Morrison & R. Henderson. Squire, a servant of Jas. H. Morton presented a certificate from Mt. Bethany Ch., Tennessee & requested admission to membership in this church, which being found in order, he was received. The session then adjourned.
R. Henderson, Temp. Clerk
May 16th 1858
The session met and was opened with prayer. Members present, Jas. K. Morrison, R. R. R. Morrison, H. L. Stafford & R. Henderson. Harriet, a servant[1] of Mr. J. M. McCalla applied for admission to the privileges of the church—was upon satisfactory examination received as a member. Session then adjourned.
R. Henderson, Temp. Clk.
[1] Following the King James Version which often termed slaves “servants,” nineteenth century Presbyterians often designated their property in human flesh by that title. Because state law (except in Louisiana) did not require that slaves be enumerated by name in legal records, their listing in session books gave them a name and identity for which provision was otherwise not often made. As such Presbyterian session books are an important source of information for historians of slavery.
Among the entries from the church history for 1958 are the following:
“Lloyd Wheeler Green joined the church by letter.”
“The Daily Vacation Bible School was held May 26—30 under the direction of Mrs. H.L. Biggers and Mrs. Maurice Busby, assisted by the women and young ladies of the church. The average attendance was 50. All children of the community were invited to attend with 5 denominations represented in attendance.”
“Revival Services were held in our Church August 3—8, 1958 by Rev. Carl Phillips of Crowley, La. Much interest was shown, wonderful spiritual messages were brought to the congregation twice each day.”
The year was 1963 and the following entries are found in the “History of the Church.”
Officers of the Women of the Church included Nina Biggers as president, Joan Brawner as Vice President, and Doris Brawner as Secretary. Serving as Pastor’s Aid were DeJanira Morton and Clarice Suitor.
Births: Paul McNair born February 28 and Jerry Levi Mitchell born October 18.
New Members received on April 17 were Martha Jane Biggers, Charlotte Jean Brawner, Emily Jo Brawner, and Linda Suitor. Received into membership on August 1 was Howard Michael Morton.
Five members of the church graduated that year from Biggersville High School: Martin Huggins, Frances Moss, Bobby Barker, Beth Morton, and Raymond Settle.
In June, George Settle represented New Hope at the Synod of Mississippi.
The congregation elected Don Brawner and Lloyd Green deacons, and they were ordained December 8.
“Beginning in Nov. 1963 there will be Sunday evening services.”
The Year was 1982
In 1982, New Hope received eight new members after the Pleasant Ridge church closed. Those members were Kathryn Suitor, Henry McCord, Gladys McCord, Fred McCord, Mary McCord, Lee McCord, Christi McCord, and Fern Dilworth. This was a major decision for these individuals because it meant they were closing one of the two active churches in the Hinkle community, and five of them—Kathryn, Henry, Fred, Lee, and Christi—had been in that church since infancy.
May 26, 1838 A few Presbyterians being convened at a school house near Troy, took into consideration the organization of a Presbyterian church, and resolved so to do. The following persons gave in their certificates of membership: Jacob Hinkle and his wife Mary Ann, Ann Gamble and Margaret Stafford, Tho. Mayes and wife Pamela were received on the knowledge of the fact that they were members. The above named persons anxious to enjoy the means of grace in a regular way according to their expressed wish, were organized by the Rev. J. B. Stafford into [a] Presbyterian Church, the Confession of Faith being adopted as the standard of their faith and practice. Resolved that this Church be called New Hope. Jacob Hinkle being an ordained elder, was elected and installed. The Rev. J. B. Stafford was chosen stated supply.
July 5th 1857
The session met & was opened with prayer. Members present, Jas. K. Morrison, R. R. R. Morrison & R. Henderson. Squire, a servant of Jas. H. Morton presented a certificate from Mt. Bethany Ch., Tennessee & requested admission to membership in this church, which being found in order, he was received. The session then adjourned.
R. Henderson, Temp. Clerk
May 16th 1858
The session met and was opened with prayer. Members present, Jas. K. Morrison, R. R. R. Morrison, H. L. Stafford & R. Henderson. Harriet, a servant[1] of Mr. J. M. McCalla applied for admission to the privileges of the church—was upon satisfactory examination received as a member. Session then adjourned.
R. Henderson, Temp. Clk.
[1] Following the King James Version which often termed slaves “servants,” nineteenth century Presbyterians often designated their property in human flesh by that title. Because state law (except in Louisiana) did not require that slaves be enumerated by name in legal records, their listing in session books gave them a name and identity for which provision was otherwise not often made. As such Presbyterian session books are an important source of information for historians of slavery.
Among the entries from the church history for 1958 are the following:
“Lloyd Wheeler Green joined the church by letter.”
“The Daily Vacation Bible School was held May 26—30 under the direction of Mrs. H.L. Biggers and Mrs. Maurice Busby, assisted by the women and young ladies of the church. The average attendance was 50. All children of the community were invited to attend with 5 denominations represented in attendance.”
“Revival Services were held in our Church August 3—8, 1958 by Rev. Carl Phillips of Crowley, La. Much interest was shown, wonderful spiritual messages were brought to the congregation twice each day.”
The year was 1963 and the following entries are found in the “History of the Church.”
Officers of the Women of the Church included Nina Biggers as president, Joan Brawner as Vice President, and Doris Brawner as Secretary. Serving as Pastor’s Aid were DeJanira Morton and Clarice Suitor.
Births: Paul McNair born February 28 and Jerry Levi Mitchell born October 18.
New Members received on April 17 were Martha Jane Biggers, Charlotte Jean Brawner, Emily Jo Brawner, and Linda Suitor. Received into membership on August 1 was Howard Michael Morton.
Five members of the church graduated that year from Biggersville High School: Martin Huggins, Frances Moss, Bobby Barker, Beth Morton, and Raymond Settle.
In June, George Settle represented New Hope at the Synod of Mississippi.
The congregation elected Don Brawner and Lloyd Green deacons, and they were ordained December 8.
“Beginning in Nov. 1963 there will be Sunday evening services.”
The Year was 1982
In 1982, New Hope received eight new members after the Pleasant Ridge church closed. Those members were Kathryn Suitor, Henry McCord, Gladys McCord, Fred McCord, Mary McCord, Lee McCord, Christi McCord, and Fern Dilworth. This was a major decision for these individuals because it meant they were closing one of the two active churches in the Hinkle community, and five of them—Kathryn, Henry, Fred, Lee, and Christi—had been in that church since infancy.
