According to the church cornerstone, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church was organized, on February 15, 1933. At the onset of its organization, services were held at the Burton Family home located on “O” Street in Wilmington, California. The founding members of New Hope Church came out of New Testament Baptist Church also located in Wilmington, California. According to New Hope’s historical records, Rev. Taboe was the organizer and Pastor.
Many ministers followed Rev. Taboe until Rev. Barber became Pastor in 1950. Under Rev. Taboe’s leadership, the foundation was laid for the current building. Many of the members at that time performed the carpentry work on the current building which was completed in November 1954. With the completion of the building, Rev. Barber requested that the Deacons and various auxiliaries purchase a stained glass window. According to Rev. Vernon Murray (Age 93 but a Deacon at the time), each window cost them $100. In September 2008, New Hope was blessed to have over 85% of the windows restored to their former glory at a cost of $9,000. Rev. Murray was called to preach the re-dedication after the project was completed and the windows were re-set. Rev. Murray is currently on staff at Christ Second Baptist Church in Long Beach, California.
Other historical Pastors of noteworthy mention were: Rev. DeVaughn, Rev. Kyle, Rev. Horace, Rev. Haggerty, Rev. Williams, Rev. Shepherd, Rev. Mallory, Rev. Cain, and in November 1979, Rev. B.C. Daniel was called to Pastor and teach. Many accomplishments were recorded under his leadership. A most worthy blessing accomplished during his tenure was a bus ministry and the addition of the multi-purpose room which was dedicated and named Daniel Hall.
In January 2004, Rev. David Higgins, Jr. was called to the pastorate of New Hope. Accomplishments noted during his tenure included the seating of four (4) additional Deacons, Deacon Williams, Deacon Martin, Deacon Richardson, and Deacon Stallworth. Also during his pastorage, Minister Zandra Higgins, Evangelist Jerrylyn Broadey, and Evangelist Wendy Blair-Brown were elevated. Mothers Stephens, Butler, and Matlock were also seated.
And on March 31, 2019, Pastor Daniel K. Williams was selected and installed as the NEW Sr. Pastor of New Hope. So as we continue our service to the community of Wilmington, California we trust that God will continue to use the ministry of New Hope MBC Wilmington for His glory and to the benefit of the Kingdom of God for many years to come.