New Hope Baptist Church. This fellowship was started as a Baptist Church of Christ in 1864. Members reorganized at Greer's Neighborhood, now Golden Rule community (2 mi. NW), in 1890 as Stephen's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. The new name honored Stephen Kelley, a church elder who had died the previous year. A sanctuary was built in 1902 on the banks of Black Branch, a stream near New Hope Cemetery (3/4 mi. S) used for baptismal services. The church was renamed New Hope Baptist in 1916 and the congregation moved to the present location the following year. (1980) #9014