At 2090 Genesee St in Buffalo, New Hope Baptist Church is known for a history that begins with 15 members in Bristol Hall in 1925 and includes a member-built Union Street church, a long succession of pastors, and a simple Sunday rhythm: Sunday School at 8:30 a.m. and worship at 10:00 a.m.
From Bristol Hall to a Church of Their Own
New Hope Baptist Church was organized on July 15, 1925, by Henrietta Bennett, Ethel Bowers, Isabella Long, John Long, Esther Mae Murphy, and Robert A. Spencer. The first meeting was held in Bristol Hall on Bristol Street near Jefferson Avenue, with 15 members. By September 1925, growth had moved the services to Central Hall on William and Jefferson streets. Rev. R. Reed was designated to organize the church officers and preside over business matters. With no appointed pastor yet, various ministers officiated each Sunday.
Rev. L.A. Holloway was called to the pastorate in November 1925, and the church was incorporated on September 26, 1926. Holloway resigned in 1927. Revs. Burgess, Slearin, and McGarrah responded to the church's request and ministered until another pastor could be called.
In late September 1928, Rev. Nathanial Andrew Mason was called as pastor. The congregation then gathered in an aged church building on old Vine Alley. A house and a parcel of land were purchased on Union Street, and plans for a church building began. Rev. Mason and church members took part in the construction by laying many of the bricks that became part of the foundation and exterior. The cornerstone of New Hope's first official church home was laid at 63 Union Street in 1932. Its final mortgage was burned on June 18, 1944.
In the late 1950s, urban reconstruction created the challenge of relocation. Led by Rev. Mason, the congregation marched into 543 Richmond Avenue in November 1960. In September 1962, after 34 years of service as New Hope's pioneer pastor, Rev. Mason was called from labor to reward. Rev. Joseph William Moore accepted the call on May 6, 1963, labored with the church for 13 years, and died on February 1, 1976.
Pastors Who Carried New Hope Forward
- The 1976-1977 interim ministry included associate ministers Rev. Samuel Byrd and Rev. Walter Peacock, together with Rev. J.B. Williamson and Rev. Charles Jennings of Sons of the Church. Pastors from sister churches throughout Buffalo also graced the pulpit during that period.
- Rev. Lee Roy Jefferson accepted the church's call on July 25, 1977, and resigned on May 5, 1980.
- Rev. Paul Frederick Thompson was called to the pastorate on November 2, 1980. After 20 years of service, he retired and received the title of pastor emeritus.
- Rev. Herschel Chapman, Jr. was called to the pastorate in October 2002 and continues as pastor of the Buffalo congregation.
The succession of pastors forms a continuous thread through New Hope's history. Some periods were brief, including the vacancy between Rev. Moore and Rev. Jefferson, while others extended across decades. The recurring pattern was a church calling a pastor, that minister serving in the congregation, and the church then entering another chapter under new pastoral leadership.
Sunday School at 8:30, Worship at 10
Sunday School begins at 8:30 a.m., and the Worship Service is held at 10:00 a.m. Both gatherings take place at 2090 Genesee St in Buffalo. These two times form the regular Sunday schedule for the church.
For a first visit, the essential church details are straightforward: Sunday School at 8:30 a.m., worship at 10:00 a.m., and the Genesee Street address. The church's telephone number is 716-883-0821, and its general email address is newhope543@roadrunner.com.
Herschel Chapman, Jr. and the Pastoral Team
Rev. Herschel Chapman, Jr. has served as pastor since his call in October 2002. Rev. Barbara Campbell serves as assistant pastor, and Rev. Sandra Waller serves as associate pastor. Together, they form the church's named pastoral team.
Chapman's tenure connects the church's Genesee Street ministry with a succession that includes Rev. L.A. Holloway, Rev. Nathanial Andrew Mason, Rev. Joseph William Moore, Rev. Lee Roy Jefferson, and Rev. Paul Frederick Thompson. Campbell and Waller stand alongside him in the church's ongoing work of worship, Bible study, and ministry to the congregation.
Separate Morning and Evening Bible Study
New Hope's Bible study ministry is organized under two distinct names: AM Bible Study and PM Bible Study. The available AM selections include lessons from Nehemiah 2, 2 and 3, 4, 5 and 6, 7 and 8, 8 and 9, 9, and 10 and 11, along with Mark 6. Several of these selections span multiple chapters, allowing the morning study material to follow substantial portions of biblical narratives.
The PM lessons include Exodus 24, 24 and 25, 26, 27, 28, 30 and 31, 32, and 32 and 33, as well as Matthew 7. These selections place extended attention on biblical accounts rather than limiting the church's study material to short passages alone.
The separate morning and evening designations give New Hope's Bible study ministry two clear components. The selections range through the histories and teachings of Nehemiah, Exodus, Mark, and Matthew, keeping biblical instruction at the center of the church's scheduled teaching.
Summer Devotional Readings from Pastor Chapman
During the summer months, Rev. Herschel Chapman, Jr. provides daily devotional readings. Each reading is delivered as a recording with a play button, allowing the congregation to hear a short devotional message centered on a particular theme.
The subjects include the Trinity, grace, daily needs, honesty, revival, the uniqueness of Scripture, the church, the Holy Spirit, forgiveness, prayer, love, wisdom, faith, and endurance. Other readings address discerning God's will, caring for others, overcoming fear, understanding revival, and relying on God's mercy. The breadth of these themes moves from doctrine and spiritual life to faith in ordinary circumstances.
Across the summer readings and Bible study selections, New Hope's teaching is grounded in Scripture and repeatedly addresses the Trinity, grace, prayer, forgiveness, revival, the Holy Spirit, the church, love, and endurance. The devotional format carries these subjects into a daily rhythm of reflection and teaching.
Sermon Messages Centered on Biblical Passages
New Hope's sermon messages pair descriptive titles with specific biblical references. The collection includes:
- A Straying Heart for a Straying People - Jeremiah 17:12-13
- The Holy War Begins - Ezekiel 9:1-7
- What Are You Going to Tell Them? - Deuteronomy 6:4-9
- Calm Before the Storm - Revelation 8:1-6
Three of the messages are credited to Pastor Herschel Chapman, Jr. The message from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is credited to Rev. Dr. Kathleen Gatson, who is identified as a visiting minister. Each message is organized around a named biblical passage, with subjects that include personal faithfulness, spiritual conflict, teaching, and difficult circumstances.
Giving and the Usher Board Breakfast
Tithes, offerings, and gifts can be made through a secure electronic contribution form. The church accepts credit and debit cards as well as electronic funds transfers from checking or savings accounts. Contributions can also be made through PayPal at newhope543@roadrunner.com or through Cash App at $nhbcbuffalo.
The Usher Board Breakfast is another church activity with a distinct payment process. Reservations require advance payment by credit card, debit card, or Cash App. Card users can scan, tap, or use a QR code and may choose Apple Pay, Google Pay, card, or bank payment. Cash App users enter the number of breakfasts being purchased and place “Usher Breakfast” in the notes before completing payment.
A Century of Ministry at Genesee Street
New Hope's history is a story of changing buildings and enduring congregational life. The church began with six organizers and 15 members in Bristol Hall, moved to Central Hall and then old Vine Alley, built its own church at 63 Union Street, and later gathered at 543 Richmond Avenue. Its address on Genesee Street represents the next stage in that physical history.
Throughout those changes, members helped build the church, pastors continued to serve, and Bible teaching remained a major part of the congregation's life. At its Genesee Street location, New Hope Baptist Church continues with Sunday School at 8:30 a.m., worship at 10:00 a.m., morning and evening Bible study, summer devotional recordings, and pastoral service from Rev. Herschel Chapman, Jr., Rev. Barbara Campbell, and Rev. Sandra Waller.