The New Hope Christian Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in May of
1874 in Bossier Parish, under the guidance and leadership of the Reverend Willie
Cotton Reader. The New Hope identity evolved from the Methodist Episcopal Church-
South while under the auspices of the Bradford Family. This family desired their
plantation workers a place of worship and built the Old Ship of Zion Church. New H
ope soon became a part of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church
Connection shortly after its inception. The early worship services were held under a
brush arbor until a building was erected in 1880 on the campsite donated by Bro. Despite the conditions of the times, the church thrived and continued
to grow in Foster, Louisiana (now Bossier City). The church was rebuilt in
the next three years under the leadership of Rev. J.E. Hunt and Rev. G.C. Sloan. In 1928, the church was remodeled during the pastorate of Rev. V.M. Hill. The early pioneers included Bros.’ W.W. Wheeler, Walker Jones, W.W. Wyler,
Will Robinson, Anthony Francis, Paul Francis, Jake Mitchell, Wash Francis, Prince
Shed and Jessie Hamilton. The early stewardesses included Sis.’ Dollie Francis, Julia
Wheeler, Mattie Wyler, Topis Smith, Addie Kelly, Lillie Francis, Elcis Ray, Mosean Ellis,
Nancy Shed and Mandy Hamilton. The early pioneers will always be remembered and cherished for their hard work
and Christian devotion by the lineage of those whose lives they have touched more
than a century later. Under the pastorate of Rev. J.A. Rasco, the New Hope family raised funds to
build a new church at the location on Hwy 80 and Swan Lake Road in Bossier City. However, in 1981, under the leadership of Rev. Donnie R. Nedd, the New Hope family
purchased a new edifice from the Rose Park Baptist Church, located at 3737 Ninock in
Shreveport, LA. Rev. Nedd was still pastor in 1985 when the mortgage was liquidated. Pastors that have served since the church’s move to Shreveport include Rev. Nedd, Rev. Manuel Henderson, Rev. Ennis I. Sullivan, Rev. Gregory
Hudson, Rev. Willie C. Bell, Jr., Rev. Curtis L. Russell, Rev. Debra Tyler Coleman and
Rev. Anthony Brim, our current pastor. The New Hope Christian Methodist Episcopal Church has a glorious and great
past to be proud of, but most of all a wonderful future ahead.
