New Hope Church was formed during the days when this part of the country was the frontier. Those who worshipped here saw the Great Revival and lived through the formation of the Cumberland Church.

In 1799 a few people from North Carolina, who were members of the Presbyterian Church, began meeting every Sunday to read the Scriptures and pray together near their homes just north of the Cumberland River in Wilson County, Tennessee. They continued to meet and were being served occasionally by circuit preachers until 1810.

In the fall of 1810, the people held their first camp meeting. This was so successful that another was held in 1811 on land bought for this purpose. In 1812, Rev. Hugh Kirkpatrick organized this group of Christians as the New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church and served as their minister. Preaching once a month, he served this congregation until 1816.

Church records show there were 230 members by 1849. However, the growth in membership was severely affected by the War Between the States and, later, when a number of members affiliated with the newly organized Melrose Cumberland Presbyterian Church in the Cairo Bend community. By 1880, the church began to experience renewed growth and, needing more space, moved to its present location in 1886.

Classrooms were added to the sanctuary in the 1950s and a Fellowship Hall was added in the 1960s, which is now classroom space. The Melrose Cumberland Presbyterian Church closed its doors in 1980 and that congregation reunited with New Hope. A new Gym/Family Life Center was built in 1989. The original frame sanctuary, structurally unsound after 120 years of faithful service, was replaced by a beautiful new brick sanctuary in 2006. God has truly blessed New Hope during its long history.

Mission. The people of the frontier were people of vision and faith. They saw the wilderness and envisioned fields and towns and good living. The church today is still on the frontier of living. We see a lost world and envision the Joy and Happiness of God’s Salvation.

New Hope Church believes that the purpose of its preaching and teaching ministry is to bring people to the realization of their need and acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It has as its goal to help people to grow in grace and love and to enable them to live as loving disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. We at New Hope profess to that faith and that task.

New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Samuel Motheral eight acres to New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Dated 25 June 1832.

In 1799 a few persons, members of the Presbyterian Church, mostly from North Carolina, agreed to meet every Sabbath to read the Scriptures and pray with and for each other. They afterward constituted the Cumberland Presbyterian Church which was organized at New Hope, Wilson County, Tennessee. Their names are William and Catherine Gray, James and Margaret Stewart, Andrew and Elizabeth Bay, Alexander and Jane Kirkpatrick, John and Ann Kirkpatrick, David and Rebecca Kirkpatrick, Samuel and Sarah Motheral, Elias Morrison, Joseph Kirkpatrick, and Margaret Motheral. “These all died in the faith.” The same year (1799) the Rev. William McGee preached the first sermon in the bounds of this congregation. From this time until 1810 they enjoyed occasional circuit preaching by Samuel King, Alexander Anderson, Hugh Kirkpatrick, Thomas Calhoun, Alexander Chapman, James B. Porter, and David Foster–all of whom have joined the sacramental host beyond death’s stream, where parting is no more.

In the fall of 1810 this congregation, afterward noted for camp-meetings, held their first camp-meeting near the “Double Islands,” on Cumberland River. At this meeting they were much revived and encouraged; so much so, that the next year (1811) they purchased a lot of ground, erected camps, and held a second camp-meeting one mile above their first encampment. The Rev. William McGee, who was present, called this new camp-ground New Hope. Here, in 1812, the Rev. Hugh Kirkpatrick, with the names designated above, organized a Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and preached once a month till 1816, when he was succeeded by the Rev. John Provine, who preached monthly until 1830. From this date to 1843 they were supplied with preaching by the Rev. George Donnell and the Rev. John L. Dillard. The former served four, the latter nine years. The Rev. M. S. Vaughan then accepted the charge and preached until 1850, when he was followed by the Rev. J. E. Davis, who continued two years.

In the fall of 1852 the Rev. William D. Chadick was regularly installed pastor of this church by the late Rev. F. R. Cossitt, D.D., and continued his labors till 1855, when the Rev. J. C. Bowden supplied the congregation one year.

The Rev. M. S. Vaughan again received a call to this congregation and preached until 1859, when he was succeeded by the Rev. William A. Haynes, who served as pastor, with the exception of two or more years during the late war, till the spring of 1866. The Rev. W. W. Suddarth succeeded Mr. Haynes, and labored till the fall of 1867, at which time he received a call from Lebanon congregation, and the Rev. M. S. Vaughan was called for the third time to New Hope.

From these facts, which I find in the church records, we learn that New Hope has enjoyed the means of grace from 1799, and an organized existence of fifty-six years’ standing. During this time the church held and supported fifty-three camp-meetings. At these meetings hundreds, if not thousands, of sinners were brought to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, and obtained through grace a good hope of a happy immortality beyond time. Among these are many able ministers of the gospel. Some of them have laid down the gospel trumpet for glittering crowns in glory. Others, trembling under the effects of age and hard service in their high vocation, are yet preaching Jesus to a perishing world, each cheered on in his “labor of love” with this most precious promise of his divine Master? “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life,” FELIX H. TAYLOR, Clerk.
[Source: Banner of Peace, 1868]

1812
April 7-9, 1812 - Cumberland Presbytery
Elder Representative from Spring Creek and New Hope - Samuel Motherell
[Source: Minutes of Cumberland Presbytery, April 7-9, 1812]

1813
April 6-9, 1813 - Cumberland Presbytery
Elder Representative from New Hope and Spring Creek - James Stewart
[Source: Minutes of Cumberland Presbytery, April 6-9, 1813]

1890
Name of the Congregation: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: W. H. Barrow, Lebanon, Tenn.
Pastor: None Listed
Total Membership: 45
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1890, page 226]

1891
Name of the Congregation: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: P. L. Fakes, Lebanon, Tenn.
Pastor: F. T. King
Total Membership: 35
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1891, page 242]

1892
Name of the Congregation: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: P. L. Fakes, Lebanon, Tenn.
Pastor: F. Z. King
Total Membership: not listed
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1892, page 252]

1893
Name of the Congregation: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: P. L. Fakes, Lebanon, Tenn.
Pastor: none listed
Total Membership: not listed
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1893, page 252]

1894
Name of the Congregation: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: P. L. Fakes, Lebanon, Tenn.
Pastor: none listed
Total Membership: not listed
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1894, page 264]

1895
Name of the Congregation: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: none listed
Pastor: none listed
Total Membership: not listed
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1895, page 272]

1896
Name of the Congregation: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: W. H. Barrow, Odom, Tenn.
Pastor: none listed
No. Communicants: 15
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1896, page 245]

1897
Name of Church: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: Barrow, W. H., Odum, Tenn.
Minister: Padgett, W. F.
No. Communicants: not listed
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1897, page 208]

1898
Name of Church: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: G. C. Wherry, Odum, Tenn.
Minister: W. L. Livingston
No. Communicants: 23
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1898, page 229]

1899
Name of Church: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: G. C. Wherry, Odum, Tenn.
Minister: W. L. Livingston
No. Communicants: 25
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1899, page 124a]

1900
Name of Church: New Hope #1
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: G. C. Wherry, Odum, Tenn.
Minister: W. L. Livingston
No. Communicants: 23
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1900, page 144a]

1901
Name of Church: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: G. C. Wherry, Odum, Tenn.
Minister in Charge: W. F. Hereford
Total No. of Members: 22
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1901, page 171a]

1902
Name of Church: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Post Office: G. C. Wherry, Odum, Tenn.
Minister in Charge: W. F. Hereford
Total No. of Members: 21
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1902, page 161a]

1903
Name of Church: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Post Office: G. C. Wherry, Odum, Tenn.
Minister in Charge: none listed
Total No. of Members: 21
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1903, page 147a]

1904
Name of Church: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Post Office: G. C. Wherry, R. R. 4, Lebanon, Tenn.
Minister in Charge: W. W. Suddarth
Total No. of Members: 13
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1904, page 127a]

1905
Name of Church: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Post Office: G. C. Wherry, R. D. 1, Lebanon, Tenn.
Minister in Charge: W. W. Suddarth
Total No. of Members: 13
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1905, page 107a]

1906
No report in General Assembly Minutes, only listed.

1907
Name of Church: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Post Office: Geo. C. Wherry, Lebanon, Tenn.
Minister in Charge: W. W. Suddarth, Sr.
Total Number of Members: 32
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1907, page 63a]

1908
Name of Church: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Postoffice: G. C. Wherry, Lebanon, Tenn.
Minister in Charge: W. W. Suddarth, Sr.
Total Number of Members: 31
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1908, page 74a]

1909
Name of Church: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Postoffice: G. C. Wherry, Lebanon, R. 4, Tenn.
Minister in Charge: W. Suddarth, Sr.
Total Number of Members: 20
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1909, page 28a]

1910
Name of Church: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Postoffice: Geo. C. Wherry, Lebanon, Tenn.
Minister in Charge: G. C. Wherry [obviously incorrect in the minutes]
Total Number of Members: 25
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1910, page 153]

1911
Name of Church: New Hope
Clerk of the Session and Post Office: G. C. Wherry, R 4, Lebanon, Tenn.
Minister in Charge: W. W. Suddarth
Total Members: 19
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1911, page 155]

1912
No Report in General Assembly Minutes

1913
No Report in General Assembly Minutes

1914
No Report in General Assembly Minutes

1915
Not listed

1916
Name of Church: New Hope
Minister in Charge: C. D. Cartner
Clerk of Session and Post Office: G. C. Wherry, Lebanon, Tenn.
Total Number of Members: 20
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1916, page 194]

1917
Name of Church: New Hope
Minister in Charge: W. W. Suddarth
Clerk of Session and Post Office: G. C. Wherry, Lebanon, R. 4, Tenn.
Total Number of Members: 45
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1917, page 161]

1918
Name of Church: New Hope
Minister in Charge: W. W. Suddarth
Clerk of Session and Post Office: G. C. Wherry, Lebanon, R. 4, Tenn.
Total Number of Members: not given
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1918, page 134]

1919
Name of Church: New Hope
Minister in Charge: W. W. Suddarth
Clerk of Session and Post Office: G. C. Wherry, Lebanon, R. 4, Tenn.
Total Number of Members: 27
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1919, page 133]

1920
Name of Church: New Hope
Minister in Charge: W. W. Suddarth
Clerk of Session and Post Office: G. C. Wherry, Lebanon, R. 4, Tenn.
Total Number of Members: 25
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1920, page 167]