Prior to 1866, while Civil war battles raged on between the North and South, the First Baptist Church of Waco granted permission to a group of slaves to have limited worship services at the church conducted by the pastor at a designated time on Sundays.
On June 10, 1866, a group of 18 former slaves filed petitions through their white advisers requesting letters of separation from the non-black First Baptist Church. They charted the first colored Baptist Church in Waco with the assistance of Dr. Rufus Burleson, the president of Baylor University and pastor of First Baptist, Rev. S. G. O`Bryan, and Dr. Richard Burleson.
On June 24, 1866, Stephen Cobb, was ordained to the ministry along with Ben Crain. Rev. Cobb is recognized as the first black minister ordained in Waco. As the group's natural leader, he suggested the name New Hope Baptist Church. He became the church`s first pastor.
For a number of years, New Hope first worshipped in an abandoned foundry building that rented for $2.00 per month and was located at the corner of 6th Street and Jefferson Avenue. The first church building was jointly owned with the Methodist congregation.
In 1873, the church erected a modest structure that served as its edifice for the next 12 years.
In 1884, the church erected a two-story edifice with a brick basement and a frame second story.
In 1923, the present three-story sanctuary was constructed during the long tenure of Dr. J. Newton Jenkins.
In 1954, a manse was constructed at 1324 North 6th Street during the tenure of Rev. Marvin C. Griffin.
The New Hope Pastoral Roster:
From 1866-1875, Stephen Cobb
From 1875-1876, N. T. Denison
From 1876-1877, Stephen Cobb
From 1878-3 months, Moses Irvin
From 1878-1882, William Massey
From 1883-1884, Albert Taylor
From 1884-1887, L. G. Jordan
From 1887-1903, James Dennis
From 1903-1906, Thomas Jones
From 1907-1950, Dr. J. Newton Jenkins
From 1951-1969, Marvin C. Griffin
From 1971-1985, John L. Mayshack
From 1986-1987, Reginald Terry
From 1988-1996, B. Wesley Austin
From 1998-Present, Joseph L. Shilo, Jr.