History Of the

Hopewell Cumberland Presbyterian Church

In America

 

1901 – 2024

     In 1901 Rev. Alfred Bonner introduced the idea of forming a Presbyterian Church, later to be called “HOPEWELL”.  Rev. Johnnie Abernathy started the first construction of the building.  Both of these ministers at one time served as pastors of Hopewell during the church's early beginning.

 

     Other pastors were Rev. Bailous Smith (1906-1907), Rev. Albert Harris and Rev. Sam McDay (1907-1910).  Afterwards, Hopewell had a perpetual host of pastors.  Many of whom served as missionary ministers when the church was without a pastor.  Included in these were Rev. Matt Dobbins, Rev. M.L. Monroe, Rev. Elisha Green, Rev. Butler, and Rev. Toliver Bates.

 

     During the mid 50’s the Mt. Pleasant Cumberland Presbyterian Church was destroyed by a storm.  Those members joined with the Hopewell congregation. Around this time, Hopewell was used for a school in the Colbert County School System.  

    

     Rev. Lambert pastored Hopewell from 1954-1957.  Rev. Henry Ewing was called to pastor in September 1957.  He pastored for 39 years.  Under the pastorate of Rev. Henry Ewing, Jr., the present sanctuary was built in 1974 for which Elder Joe Bailey was Project Manager. The Hopewell Family has fostered ten ordained ministers: Rev. Freddie Ingram, Rev. Albert Smith, Rev. Elizabeth (Ingram) Ross, Rev. Mary (Ingram) Bates, Rev. Melvon Ingram, Rev. Docary Ingram, Rev. Joyce Johnson, Rev Patricia Martin, Rev. Bruce Ingram, Rev. Carlos Davis and Rev. Anthony Bailey.

 

     Rev. John Haley, Jr. served as an assistant to Rev. Ewing for three years.  The session and congregation issued a formal call to him for the service of Assistant Pastor in January 1992, and on May 31, 1992 he was installed.  Rev. Haley resigned September 1994 due to his job requirements. Hopewell called its second assistant pastor December 1999, Rev. Joyce (Belcher) Johnson.  She was installed April 2000.  Rev. Bruce Ingram was installed as associate pastor. Rev. Eugene English was called by the Hopewell CPCA Church family in March 1996.  Accompanying Rev. English was his wife Kathy, children Shannon, Jennifer and Denise.  He was installed as pastor on May 26, 1996 and faithfully served the congregation until August 2001.

 

     Rev. Joyce B. Johnson served Hopewell congregation as interim pastor for two months.  Rev. John Haley, Jr. was called in October 2001 as interim pastor.  After the interimship expired, he served as supply pastor for one year.  He was later called to serve as pastor.  He was installed October 2003.  Rev. Haley retired as pastor of Hopewell CPCA on August 11, 2013 because of health reasons. From that time until March of 2014, the pastorate was shared by Rev. Joyce Johnson and Rev. Bruce Ingram. Rev. Clifford Malone-Hollins and his wife, Rochelle, joined us in March of 2014.  The Florence Presbytery installed him as pastor of Hopewell on May 4, 2014. 

 

     In 1994, Hopewell CPCA Children’s Church was organized by Rev. Mary Bates with Sister Constance Tompkins as assistant.  Former directors include Sis. Kathy English with teachers Lee Roy Tompkins, Lonnie Martin, Steve Beckham, John Davis and several teacher aides.  Rev. Patricia Martin succeeded Sis English as director.

 

ORGANIZATIONS

 

     The first organizations of the church were the “Mother’s Board” and the “Elder Board”.  Rev. Bailous Smith organized both in 1910.  Shortly afterwards, the “Diaconate” was organized. Lovie Softley and Gladys Canty became Hopewell’s first women elders when they were ordained in August, 1996.  In 1978, the “Mother’s Board” name was changed to “Godly Women” by the 1978 General Assembly of the Second Cumberland Presbyterian Church (with the name changing to Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America in the 1992 setting of the General Assembly) and presently Sis. Lila F. Ingram is president.

 

     Rev. Bailous Smith, with Frank Hampton serving as superintendent, organized the Sunday School department in 1905.  Deacon Caral Anderson serves presently as superintendent and Elder Marion Martin as assistant superintendent until her resignation in 2022.

 

     The Church Choir was organized in 1906 by Sally Mae Pruitt who was the first organist and first president of the choir.  The church presently has four choirs: Mass Choir-President, Elder Gladys Canty; Male Chorus-President, Elder Terrence Ingram; Women’s Choir-President, Elder Gladys Canty.  The Connection of Praise Team under the direction of Eld. Marion Martin 

Sister Sarah (Garner) Bates served as keyboardist for all choirs until December of 2013 accompanied by Deacon Michelle (Canty) Napier as drummer. After the passing of Deacon Michelle Napier in October of 2022 Sister Trudy Simpson became drummer but resigned in April of 2023.  Brother Lorenzo Burke currently serves as drummer beginning in July of 2023. Sister Velvet Ingram served as drummer for the Youth Choir until the year 2017.  Bro. Terriron Fields was our keyboardist until August of 2018 for all choirs and Elder Otis Johnson is music director. Bro. Aaron Freeman helped us as keyboardist three Sundays each month until December of 2019. Presently, Minister Richard Bates III served as keyboardist until March 2024 when he resigned.   Bro. Jordan Goodman became our bass guitarist in June of 2014 and he resigned in 2022.

  

     In 1912, Elder DeShone organized the Missionary Society with Lucy Smith serving as president.  Elder Gladys Canty is serving presently as president. She has served as president of the National Missionary Society. The name of this organization was changed to Cumberland Presbyterian Women (C.P.W.) but now has the original name of Missionary Society.

 

 

 

     During Rev. Lambert’s pastoralship, the Usher Board was organized. Deacon Diane Hillman is presently serving as president.  Advisors to the Junior Usher Board are Deacon Hillman and Deacon Carol Anderson.

 

 

     In 1924, the “Christian Endeavors” was organized, but today is known as the CPYF (Cumberland Presbyterian Youth Fellowship).  Elder David Smith, who became its first president, organized this group.  Coordinators for our youth ministry (CPYF)are

Elder Gladys Canty and Elder Lovie Softley.

 

     Hopewell, through its leadership, has always supported the Presbytery, Synod and the General Assembly in many capacities.  We have had members who served as president, secretary, and treasurer of various organizations (CPW, CPYF, and Sunday School) on all levels of the church. Hopewell pastors and members have also served as moderators, chairpersons, and members of various boards and committees on the national, state, and district levels of our denomination.

 

     Our pioneer families are not here who struggled long and hard for the beginning of Hopewell.  To their heirs, we would like to express gratitude for our pioneer families and for the great work they have done to make Hopewell a great foundation for God.

 

     Hopewell believes that we are called to minister to God’s people. Hopewell is focusing all its resources around a model of becoming purpose driven toward conducting ministries. There are four major divisions of ministry categories we have accepted:

1. Christian Education

2. Mission and Evangelism

3. Worship

4. Stewardship

We shall continue to develop ministries through which people can exercise their God given talents. The church was incorporated in 2003.

 

Hopewell also established a subsidiary corporation called “Wells of Hope Ministries, Incorporated” which was recognized

as a 501.3c organization in 2004. This faith-based ministry,

funded by grants and donations, provides free income tax preparation service, tutoring, transportation for the elderly, the handicapped, and resource persons who provide valuable information and assistance for senior citizens.

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In March of 2020 the Corona Virus Pandemic hit the Earth. We had to close our sanctuary doors until July 4th of 2021.  We still worshipped God virtually through Facebook. We thank the congregation for all of the prayers, cooperation, and financial support through these difficult days. We also express thanks to the leadership for their hard work and dedication in keeping the congregation together and serving as best that they could under these circumstances. 

    

We express appreciation to God and Hopewell’s congregation on this 50th birthday of this present sanctuary for the sacrifices, cooperation, patience, trust, faith and prayers.  For without you, we would not have been able to accomplish so much.

 

     We give thanks to God for keeping our Church family together for 123 years for, “WE HAVE COME THIS FAR BY FAITH”.