Hopewell General Baptist Church was organized April 19, 1931, in the home of Oscar and Edith Robbins on Knickerbocker Avenue in Flint, Michigan. The church was originally named the "Second General Baptist Church" as the only other General Baptist church in Flint, the First General Baptist Church, had been organized in 1927. On August 22, 1931, however, our present name, Hopewell, was given to the church which was then located at 1070 Knickerbocker Avenue, where it remained until 1976.

Hopewell was organized with eight (8) charter members; Mr. & Mrs. Fulkerson, Mr. & Mrs. Fencilla, Mr. & Mrs. George Mayberry, Mrs. Frances Fowler, and Mrs. S.W. Fowler, who was to be ordained as deacon. The Rev. W.A. "Aude" Fowler was named the first pastor. We had six (6) deacons from First General Baptist Church come to help with the organization.

Throughout its seventy-five year history, Hopewell Church has had a total of fourteen pastors; W.A. Fowler, Willis Lane, Floyd Miley, Harrison Davis, Lawrence Curry, Esco Malin, Clemo Robbins, Clifton Ford, Bob Harber, Leroy Jolly Jr., Ron Austin, Gearl Payne, David Kelle and Scott Southerland. It should be noted that of these, Rev. Floyd Miley served for Fourteen years and Rev. Esco Malin for seventeen years. Our present pastor, Scott Southerland has been with us for eight years and the Lord has blessed us tremendously through him and his family. In addition to these, a multitude of dedicated laymen ahs served in and through Hopewell Church in every aspect of the church's ministry, as well as other ministers who served in temporary, or interim pastorates.

The church has gone through various building programs to meet the growing needs of the congregation. In 1939, additions were made to the front and back of the building and a full basement was constructed. In 1957, another addition was made to provide adequate Christian Education facilities.

The church eventually felt a need to relocate and in November, 1972, it was decided to purchase six acres at G-5162 North Belsay Road. This property was shortly paid for and in May of 1975, the congregation voted to sell the church and adjoining parsonage for a total of $90,000.00. With these and other funds, along with a bond issue of $150,000.00, construction was begun a the Belsay Road location. Designed by architect Bill Berry, with construction supervised by his company, the building was erected with a major portion of the work done by our own congregation. The dedicated labor put forth by all and notably by Building Committee Chairman Laverle Roussel enabled the church to realize a tremendous monetary savings.

Our final service at the Knickerbocker address was January 25, 1976. The first Sunday a the new Belsay Road address was June 27, 1976, although the first actual service (Prayer Meeting/Bible Study) was on Wednesday, June 23. During the transition period from old to new locations, for twenty-one (21) weeks, we shared the facilities of our sister church Faith United General Baptist Church (which was Fenton Lawn at that time), in south Flint. They graciously extended this privilege to us, altering the times of their services to allow us to schedule fully our own services. At that time, Dr. Delbert Mace was pastor at Fenton Lawn and Rev. Leroy Jolly pastored Hopewell.

As we begun to worship at the new address, we faced a great challenge in rebuilding the congregation as our attendance had dwindled much, due to the relocation and the process of attrition. We're thankful for the progress that had been made as the Lord has directed so many new members into the church and they have become one harmonious family with those who came to this community with the church.

In 1980, a great need was met with construction of a church parsonage. With work begun in August, Gearl and Mary Payne became the first inhabitants of the parsonage in December of that year.

Hopewell Church growth from 1978 to 2006: In 1978, under Rev. Ron Austin, the fellowship room was divided up with 6 classrooms on the west side and 3 rooms on the east side. 1991 and 1999 folding curtains where installed, also new carpeting.

In 1986 our Sunday School average was 166.7 per week, our highest attendance for our new locations and Rev. Gearl Payne was our pastor. In 1993 Bro. Dave Kelle became our pastor and served approximately 5 years and then was called to a new mission field in Honduras. Hopewell Church has supported this mission field with our finances and workers. Approximately 12 to 20 go to Honduras each year for one week.

We have purchased a new 1999 one-ton Chevrolet van and in 2002 a 27 passenger bus was purchased. We now have a Sunday School route and a Wednesday Night King's Kid's program.

We're extremely thankful for the history of Hopewell and the faithful servants of God who have been a part of that history. We now look to continue service in the present and trust the Lord for continued blessings in the future as we dedicate ourselves to His service. With His help, we hope to exemplify our motto -

"Hopewell Church - the church that shares God's love."