A house RESOLUTION

 

to recognize and congratulate the Congregation of Hopewell Baptist Church, the church staff, and Reverend Richard Addison upon the church's one hundred fiftieth anniversary.

 

Whereas, Hopewell Baptist Church grew out of High Hills Baptist Church in 1876 with Reverend J. Capers as the founder and first pastor. The early worship services were held under a brush arbor. Under Reverend Capers' leadership the congregation sought to purchase land on which to build a church, but Robert Brownfield donated the land to the church. The Grant family of Grant Hill Baptist Church donated material for the church's foundation, and members of Hopewell planted an extra acre of cotton and used the money from the sale of the cotton to finish building the church; and

 

Whereas, the pastors who followed Reverend Capers include Reverend Theodore Diggs for forty-five years, Reverend Miles, Reverend Ross, Reverend Holmes for two years, Reverend H. D. Dupree for seven years, Reverend H. W. White for four years, Reverend M. M. Battie for sixteen years, Reverend L. W. Walker Sr. for fifty years, Reverend C. Hilton Jr. for two years, and Reverend Richard Addison from 2007 to the present; and

 

Whereas, during the fifty-year ministry of Reverend Walker, a new sanctuary for Hopewell Baptist Church was built in 1965. A committee purchased the land for the new church from Mr. George Benehaley, and the church was paid for within seven years. An educational and fellowship hall was added in 1993 and was named Reverend Dr. L. W. Walker Sr. Educational and Fellowship Hall in 1999. The building was paid off in 2000, the church's yard was paved in 1999, and the church completed renovation of the sanctuary in 2002; and

 

Whereas, many auxiliaries were organized in that half century: the Gospel Choir, Tiny Tots Choir,  Youth Choir, Ladies Choir, Male Chorus, Pastor's Aid Club, Brotherhood, L. W. Walker Adult Choir, Children's Choir, and Inspirational Choir. In 1995, services began every Sunday with Reverend Charles Gadson as the assistant pastor; and 

 

Whereas, Reverend Addison served as interim pastor in 2006 and became permanent pastor in 2007. He established the Men's Bible Study, Women's Bible Study, Hopewell Baptist Scholarship Ministry, and the Young People's Ministry to support spiritual growth of the youth. The Mass Choir, Sanctuary Choir, and Praise Team Ministry were added, the finance ministry's computer system was upgraded, and the Media Ministry developed the church's website, Facebook page, and Zoom. In 2015, Hopewell adopted an official church logo and in 2021 launched its YouTube channel to broaden access to worship services; and

 

Whereas, a Praise Team Ministry was established in 2020, and former singing groups were combined to form the Sanctuary Choir. The Healthcare Ministry now includes more than ten certified CPR participants, and the newly structured Women's Ministry has participated in blanket drives for the homeless, a prison ministry, foreign mission efforts, and providing Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the sick and shut-in; and

 

Whereas, facility and landscaping enhancements were completed in 2025: an addition to the church's vestibule, a women's restroom and lounge area, a men's restroom, a security room, media room improvements, the creation of two new classrooms, resurfacing of the parking lot, a new monument sign, and a brick mailbox. These were dedicated during the church's 149th Anniversary; and

 

Whereas, in June 2025, Hopewell launched the first Health and Community Resource Fair of the Women's Ministry, held on May 3, 2025, as well as the Summer Enrichment Program to provide academic support and spiritual development for youth in the church and surrounding community. In 2026, the church implemented its Security Ministry, equipping it with high-tech systems designed to enhance safety, security, and overall church awareness and protection. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and congratulate the congregation of Hopewell Baptist Church, the church staff, and Reverend Richard Addison upon the church's one hundred fiftieth anniversary.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Richard Addison.

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