Ebenezer Baptist Church started in 1890. In 1893, they changed the name to New Hope Baptist Church, and by 1894 seemed to have closed.
In the early days they met at 865 Broadway (721 Broadway after renumbering) in "the old YMCA building." They moved to 6th near Market St. in October 1891; the church was at 769-771 - 6th Street near Market.
Rev. George W. Gray was the first pastor, until 1893 when the church split. In July, the church had taken in members of Beth Eden Baptist Church who had been expelled. Rev. S.H. Smith of Texas had been trying to start a new church with some of the expelled members. Then in August, things came to a head, and Gray was out and Smith was in. 1,2
Rev. Smith had problems, too. In May 1894, the Oakland Times reported that the church voted to dismiss Rev. Smith for preaching "dry and mechanical sermons." But Smith wrote to the editor of the Oakland Enquirer that the reports were not true, it was just a few members stirring up trouble. He said he had quit in March, but was continuing to preach for the church while they found a new pastor. 3,4
After a few references, the church disappeared from the newspapers.
Links and References
- The Expelled Members of R.A. McGuinn's Church to Join Another Oakland Enquirer July 29, 1893
- Rev. Gray Is Ousted From His Building by Rev. Smith of Texas Oakland Enquirer August 12, 1893
- Row in the New Hope Church Oakland Times May 28, 1894
- Only A Few Oakland Enquirer May 29, 1894
