Historic African American Church ‘New Hope AME’ Celebrates 150 Years
Pastor David F. Richards leads New Hope Church AME.
Grace Walker / WABE
Founded in 1869 as New Hope Camp Ground, the church began as camp ground that became a meeting place for black servants who lived on the property of wealthy landowners.
Now known as New Hope AME Church, it was moved to its current locatio, in Buckhead in 1872, when a white resident, James Smith, willed 2 acres of his property to “Negroes” to be used as a church and school. In addition to the church, the land is also home to gravesites of unknown slaves.
In the early 1900s a fire destroyed the original plan structure of the church, which had to in undergo construction. This was a major hardship for the congregation which lacked financial means. The church would face tragedy again when it was stuck by a tornado in 1975, which led to a partial restoration of the building.
In part one of our conversation Pastor Richards talks about the church’s history and the decades of support from the surrounding community.
The church is now led by the Rev. David F. Richards and First Lady Linda Richards. Earlier this week, “Closer Look” visited the church, which celebrates 150 years this Sunday.
“I came up with a theme [for this Sunday’s sermon]. Welcome, worship and witness to the glories and power of the living God,” Richards said. “It does motivate you because you think about the people who came here.”
In part two of Closer Look’s interview with Pastor David F. Richards and the history of New Hope Cemetery where unnamed slaves are buried.
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