One of Waco’s oldest black churches is celebrating its 145th anniversary this year with a Texas native who moved to the city after Hurricane Katrina to become its new pastor.

New Hope Baptist Church, now located at North Sixth Street and Bosque Boulevard, was organized on June 10, 1866, with the help of 18 former slaves.

Helping the congregation’s cause was Rufus C. Burleson, who served at times as pastor of Waco’s First Baptist Church and president of Baylor University.

Richard Blanton is the new pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, which celebrates its 145th anniversary this year.
Rod Aydelotte / Waco Tribune-Herald

“This church has quite a history,” said Robert King, chairman of the deacon board.

King said for years, hundreds of worshippers gathered for Sunday services. Among them was Jules Bledsoe, who gained notoriety for his baritone singing in his role as Joe with his rendition of “Ol’ Man River” in the original 1927 Broadway production of “Show Boat.”

King said the church choir frequently performed at events that Baylor University hosted.

Today, between 50 and 75 people attend Sunday services at New Hope Baptist Church. As with many inner-city churches, its attendance has decline with the passing of longtime members.

New Hope also faces more competition in a city known as “Jerusalem on the Brazos,” in part because of its abundance of churches.

The church’s new pastor, the Rev. Richard L. Blanton, 57, said the church is “unapologetically traditional” in its manner of worship and its choice of music. He and his wife, Sheila, a Waco native, found that appealing.

“It is my desire to maintain that reverent spirit while making the church relevant,” Richard Blanton said.

Blanton received a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University, a master’s degree in theology from Southern Methodist University and a doctorate in church administration from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Blanton spent 21 years as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force. His assignments took him to Japan, Saudi Arabia and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as well as cities throughout the U.S.

He said he moved 13 times during his military career, retiring in 2003 to serve as pastor of Olivet Baptist Church in Gulfport, Miss.

Two years later, Hurricane Katrina turned his world upside down.

“I’m a Katrina survivor,” said Blanton, who did not evacuate because he had duties that required his presence. “Personally, my wife and I were minimally affected. But our church was obliterated.”

Under Blanton’s leadership, and with the help of Baptist organizations that rebuild churches after disasters, Olivet Baptist Church rose to worship again.

Blanton served as the church’s pastor until 2007.

“After that, the Lord gave me the inclination to return to Texas,” he said. “It was here that my parents sent me to Baylor to receive a Christian education and where I attended Air Force ROTC, and where people realized I had potential for the ministry.

“I preached my first sermon here and here is where I wanted to return.”

As a youngster, Blanton attended New Samaria Baptist Church in Dallas, where his late father, the Rev. Richard P. Blanton, was pastor.

Richard L. Blanton preached his first sermon at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 2814 S. 12th St., while attending Baylor.

He was licensed to preach by Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas.

He and his wife joined New Hope Baptist Church simply to worship as members. But he agreed to become interim pastor after the retirement of the Rev. Joseph L. Shilo Jr.

The congregation liked Blanton so much, he was named the full-time pastor on April 17.

“When we were electing our new pastor, he received approval from 99.5 percent of those voting,” King said. “That’s a pretty good mandate for a good man.”

Blanton said he’s confident New Hope Baptist Church can enjoy a renaissance.

“Do I believe the church can grow? Absolutely. We’re reclaiming our members. Since I’ve been here, five or six members have returned,” said Blanton, who credited God for those decisions.

Blanton said he visited other black churches in Waco and left the services impressed with their variety and vitality. He said they appear actively involved in ministry “and are not mausoleums.”

New Hope Baptist Church, he said, is steeped in the tradition of black congregations.

“But we are open to all and we occasionally get non-African-American visitors here,” he said. “We will maintain our identity, but the Bible says, ‘Whosoever will, let him come.’ ”

mcopeland@wacotrib.com

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