 Denison, Texas The Denison Herald Sunday morning, June 25, 1972 HOPEWELL MADE PRESENCE KNOWN Even in the noisy frontier of Denison's past, the congregation of historic Hopewell Baptist Church could be heard above the din. The early church meetings, in fact, competed very well with the outside noise of a growing city, according to a story in the Denison Daily News, July 28, 1979. "Services are held nearly every evening in the week," the story said, "commencing about 8 p.m. and lasting sometimes until midnight. The demostrations made by the worshippers are of the noisiest character. It is impossible...to enjoy rest or quiet during the progress of the meetings." While Hopewell's early services may have been distinctive because of enthusiasm the church has continued to play an important role in the Denison church community for other reasons. Pastored for the last 20 years by Rev. C.H. Turner, Hopewell Baptist was organized in 1874 by Baptist ministers from Sherman, Denison, Preston Bend and White Rock. The church's first site was obtained from the Denison Townsite Company. The structure built there was destroyed by fire and the members held service in a home at W. Gandy for 3 years until that site was demolished by a storm. In 1881 the lot at the corner of Bond and Rusk was exchanged for land at Bond and Mirick, the present location. After a frame building was used for several years, construction in 1915 on the present massive red brick building and it was complete in 1918. Hopewell's congregation, which numbers about 350, will celebrate its 100th birthday November 1974. Although the church building has remained.... The Denison Herald July 25, 1972  Hopewell Baptist Church History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson CountyTXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |