Founding (1950):
Organized by Rev. J.G. Washington and a few members who left Greater St. John Baptist Church. Meetings began in Ybor City at Sister Rozelia F. Williams’ home, where the name New Hope was chosen. From that day forward they put their trust in God and began believing that there was New Hope under the leadership of Rev. J. G. Washington. Early services were held in homes and halls until a building was constructed at 4th Ave. & 11th St.

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The founders of the church: Rev. J.G. Washington, Brothers Will Anthony, Ira Bruton, Quitman Burch, John Collins, Will Collins, William Ellison Jr., Joe Foster, Hubert Goins, Bernard Lafayette Jr, Robert Torrance, Frank Walker, and Oscar Williams.  Sisters Cora Anderson, Ella Anthony, Nancy Barnwell, Frankie Baten, Minnie Blue, Lessie Burch, Inez Bush, Rosalie Collins, Gertrude Dawkins, Bertha Edwards, Melvina Ellison,  Mother Ferguson, Tansy Goins, Thelma Goins, Cora King, Mary Lane, Ammie R. Levatte, Annie Matthews, Hattie Moses, Geraldine Mungin, Rosa Lee Murray, Lillie Rice, Allee Robinson, Clemmie Robinson, Julia Robinson, Mary Robinson, Edna Samuels, Essie Walker, Gladys D. Washington, Cola Williams, Gussie Williams, Jessie Williams, Mae Bell Williams, Rozelia F. Williams,  Rosa  Lee Wilson and Rosa Lee Wright.

 

Pastoral Leadership:

• Rev. J.G. Washington (1950

• Rev. C. Fluker (1951)

• Rev. John Willis (1952–1986)

• Rev. Bernard Dinkins (1987–1989)

• Rev. John Giles (1989–1994)

• Rev. Dr. T.W. Jenkins (1995–2015)

• Rev. Larry J. Mouton Jr. (2016–2019)

• Rev. Adrian DeShon Reid Sr. (2023-Current)

 

Deaconship:
From 1952 onward, many men were ordained, growing the board through the decades. There were two deacons Brother Oscar Williams and Brother Robert Torrance and two trustees Brother Hubert Goins and Brother Will Anthony. March of 1953, there were three additional deacons ordained, Borther Arthur Graham, Bernard Lafayette, and Eddie B. Norman. Deacons from other churches whose ordinations were accepted: Deacons Steve Williams, Cleveland Hill, Ira Jones, J. J. Jones, Edward Kilpatrick, and Nathaniel Bunts. June of 1967, Deacon Huey Mungin's ordination as deacon from another church was accepted. December of 1970, Deacon Josh Hamilton's ordination was accepted. March of 1971, Deacon Frank Kelly's previous church ordination was accepted. October of 1975, Brothers Levi Moore, and James Coleman were ordained as deacons. October of 1976, Brother Willie James Poole was ordained. January of 1982, Brothers Oscar Young, Arthur Akins, Richard Mungin, William Ellison, Jr. and Lenton Douglas, Sr. were ordained. June 1982, during regular business meeting, June 4, 1982, Rev. Willis recommended, and the church agreed to place Brother Robert Lawson on the Deacon Board. August of 1984, Brother Jimmie Jenkins was nominated to take over Deacon Poole’s Ward #1 and Brother Jimmie Jenkins’ deacon ordination was accepted from another church. December of 1986 ordination service was held for Brothers Levester Jones, James Padgett, Ron Peterson and Stanley Smith. December of 1996, Brothers Ron Gardner, Otto Strickland Sr., and L. James Lamb were ordained. July 2002 Brothers Garry Ganey, Reginald Washington and Larry Williams were ordained. January of 2009, Brothers Ernest Brown, Larry Jordan, James Thompson, and Jerry Williams were ordained. July 2012, Brothers Anthony Cleveland and Anthony Long were ordained. July of 2015, Brothers Ian Reed and Timothy Walker were ordained.

 

Buildings & Renovations:

• 1952: First new facility built, dedicated 1953.

• 1964: Urban Renewal forced relocation; property at 3005 E. Ellicott St. purchased.

• 1973: Building Committee formed to prepare plans for the building of Education Building and new church.

• 1978: The First Church service was held at Williams Elementary School. Church services  and  all  activities of  the church were held  at  the Williams Elementary School located at 4302 East Ellicott Street until the new edifice was completed.

• 1979: New edifice built for $350,000, occupied June 10, 1979.

• 1987: Recommendation was made to dedicate the Education Room in honor of the late Rev. John Willis and that a scholarship fund be established in his name.

• 2002: Phase 1 of the CLC Building project was completed.

• 2005: Baptismal pool was installed with all necessary adjustments.

• 2007: The Sanctuary Renovation Project of new pews, carpet, flooring and pulpit furnishing was completed.

• 2012: Christian Life Center (CLC) dedicated, 12,500 sq. ft., $1.5M, mortgage-free.

• 2018–2021: Major renovations including HVAC, roof replacement, lightning rod systems

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Property Acquisitions:
Over the decades, New Hope purchased multiple lots, expanded parking, built fences, and acquired a Brandon parsonage (1996). Additional properties were bought to support growth and ministries.

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Organizational Growth:

• Junior Church (1967), Adult Choir (1973), Membership Committee (1973), Gospel Chorus, Nurses Guild (1975).

• Food Bank Mission (1987), Beautification Committee (1988), Scholarship Fund, Tutorial Program.

• By late 1990s–2000s: Expanded and established ministries, Share program, summer camp, newsletter (The Lamp), website (2010), livestream (2020).

• Membership grew to about 1,500

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Modernization & Equipment:
Investments in sound systems, security, buses, vans, musical instruments, choir robes, computers, and A/V systems were consistently made from the 1970s through 2022, ensuring the church stayed updated.

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(New Hope’s history through the years is long and storied a Full Church History is available upon request by contacting the church clerk)