PO Box 834 Seaside, CA 93955, US
A Church Where jesus Christ Is Truly Magnified!
Our Church History
History of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church
Located in the Beautiful City of Seaside, CA
The late Rev. J.W. Paige received a vision to organize a Church, and God made that vision a reality on February 12, 1959, at a meeting in the home of the late Rev. Paige and his wife Bertha located at 1524 Lowell Street in Seaside when this Church was organized. That meeting was attended by: the late Rev. J.W. Paige and his wife Bertha, Rev. Light, Rev. Bailey, Rev. C.L. McFadden, Deacon. C.P. Swann, Bro. Bennie L. Harris, Bro. Willy Gulley, Bro. E. Stellman Reid, Sis. Alice Baxter Kellum and Sis. Evon Harris. From three submitted names, New Hope Baptist Church was agreed upon.
For the next four weeks, the above-listed persons worshiped in the home of Rev. and Sis. Paige. Bro. Harris and Deacon. Ira Beverly of Friendship helped locate a small building on St. Helena and San Pablo Streets in Seaside rented for $10/week. Upon moving into this location, paperwork was submitted to the State to incorporate New Hope Missionary Baptist Church officially. The first officers were as follows:
- Pastor Rev. James W. Paige
- Trustees Deacon. C.P. Swann, Brothers William Guley & Bennie Harris
- Secretary Sis. Evon Harris
- Treasurer Sis. Alice Baxter Kellum
- Sunday School Supt. Bro. William Gulley
- Deacon Board Chairman Deacon. C.P. Swann, Chairman
- Deaconess Board President Sis. Louise Swann
- Usher Board Sis. Louise Swann
The Church marched into the present building on January 17, 1960, and by the grace of God, the Church grew (and continues to grow) physically and spiritually.
Throughout the history of New Hope, many improvements were made to the physical building. Here are just a few highlights of memorable and historical events.
1970's 1972: New pews purchased/installed
- 1974: New choir robes purchased
- 1979: Sanctuary painted; new windows installed
1980s 1980: Four adjacent parcels of land were purchased allowing the sanctuary to be enlarged/remodeled; the parking lot enlarged/repaved; the first cornerstone was laid
- 1983: First Church Van Purchased
1990s 1992: A fifth parcel of land was purchased allowing construction of the J.W. Paige Educational Building
- 1994: Completion of the J.W. Paige Educational Building included a large social hall, Pastor’s office, two classrooms, a computer room, three bathrooms, and three storage rooms. The building was dedicated and a second cornerstone was laid
- 1997: New “Order of Service” sign constructed in the front of the Church
2000s 2005 Kitchen remodeled
- 2009; Church Mortgage paid off through “Sacrifice with a Vision” Pledge Drive Ministry
2010s 2014 New soundboard
- 2015: Piano dedicated in memory of Sis. Grace Delaney
- 2016 Monitors installed in the Sanctuary and Social Hall
- 2016; Security Cameras/System Installed
- 2018: Organ dedicated in memory of Patt Caison
- Passenger Van Purchased
- Chair Lift Installed
2020s Pews Refurbished
- 2024: Generator Installed
In addition to the physical improvements to the Church, God has showered us with innumerable spiritual blessings through ministry. Here are just a few.
1960s 1960: Junior Choir Music ministry (later renamed the Youth Inspirational Choir)
- General Mission formed
1970s 1976: J.W. Paige Circle/Scholarship organized
- 1978: Male Chorus organized
- Mission Chorus organized (late 1970s)
- Youth Usher Board formed (late 1970s)
1980s Sex Trafficking Ministry
2000s Prison Teaching Ministry
- 2008 Praise Dance Ministry
2010s 2012: Child Evangelism Fellowship Teaching in Public Schools; Good News Club
- 2014: Children’s Ministry
- 2017: Givelify – Online Giving Ministry
- 2017: Toiletries Ministry for the Unsheltered Ministry
- 2018 Sex Trafficking Ministry
- MAHAFA African Medical Aid Ministry
- Dorothy’s Kitchen Food for Unsheltered Ministry
- We Care Ministry for Seniors
2020s 2023: We Care
Donation Ministry to Support Seniors with Financial Needs Chinatown Salinas Outreach Ministry
The physical changes and spiritual blessings from God have allowed the Church to reach countless men, women, boys, and girls as they experience the challenges and pitfalls of this life. One real challenge was the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic that emerged in China in December 2019. That virus spread worldwide and on March 11, 2020, was declared a pandemic. Monterey County was shut down on March 15, 2020 (churches, schools, restaurants, and businesses closed) and only designated essential workers were allowed to work. The entire world was affected. Supplies were limited, vaccinations were required/recommended, and life seemed miserable…but God!
Pastor Carter prayed for God’s direction in responding to COVID-19. Initially, worship services were suspended. We soon began holding Sunday School and Worship Services online (via Google Meets), and the “The Voices of Hope” provided music for Worship Services. Thereafter, we added Wednesday night Bible Study online. On January 30, 2023, President Biden’s Administration declared the end of the emergency and we returned to the sanctuary wearing masks. Many of our members lost their lives to the pandemic. Their names are included in the list of Deceased Members.
God called four Pastors to guide New Hope BC through this life’s journey: The Late Rev. J. W. Paige (from the birth of the Church to his retirement on January 12, 1975); Rev. J. P. Anderson (June 12, 1975, through his resignation on January 1976); the Late Rev. Benjamin Charles Franklin (from July 1976 until
his retirement on November 5, 2000); and, our current Pastor, Rev. ML Carter, who was called on November 6, 2000.
Under Pastor Carter’s leadership, the following Associate Ministers have been licensed and/or ordained to preach the gospel: Rev. Ramon Hyde, Rev. David Evans, Rev. David Walker, Rev. Armando Rios, Rev. Colin Larkin, Rev. Jimmy Welch, Rev. Daniel Kidd, Rev. Jessie Boone, Rev. Warren Tropet, Rev. Roderick Parker and Rev. Willie Brown.
We are truly thankful to God for blessing us with all of our Pastors. Each has continued the legacy of "Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ" in season and out of season. Their focus has always been “winning souls for Jesus Christ.” And under their preaching, teaching, and leadership, the Church (we are the Church!) continues to grow physically and spiritually. To God be the glory for the things He has done, is doing, and will do in the lives of the members of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church!
Our Church Covenant
1st Corinthians 11: 23-26
"This Do In Remembrance Of Me"
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our
Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this
assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body
in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to
strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge and holiness; to give it a place in
our affections, prayers and services above every organization of human origin; to sustain
its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as
God has prospered us, towards its expenses, for the support of a faithful and evangelical
ministry among us, the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel throughout the
world. In case of difference of opinion in the church, we will strive to avoid a contentious
spirit, and if we cannot unanimously agree, we will cheerfully recognize the right of the
majority to govern.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to study diligently the word of
God; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquain-
tance; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be kind and just to those in our employ, and
faithful in the service we promise others; endeavoring in the purity of heart and good
will towards all men to exemplify and commend our holy faith.
We further engage to watch over, to pray for, to exhort and stir up each other unto every
good word and work; to guard each other's reputation, not needlessly exposing the infirm-
ities of others; to participate in each other’s joys, and with tender sympathy bear one
another's burdens and sorrows; to cultivate Christian courtesy; to be slow to give or take
offense, but always ready for reconciliation, being mindful of the rules of the Savior in the
eighteenth chapter of Matthew, to secure it without delay; and through life, amid evil
report, and good report, to seek to live to the glory of God, who hath called us out of
darkness into his marvelous light.
When we remove from this place, we engage, as soon as possible, to unite with some
other church where we can carry out the spirit of his covenant and the principles of God's word.