Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church - Wentzville, MO
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 38° 45.740 W 090° 49.455
15S E 689040 N 4292650
This area was founded by freed slaves from the local tobacco industry. Two churches here. One built in 1952 and the one on the left, built 1987.
Waymark Code: WM1867T
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 06/07/2023
Views: 0
County of church: St. Charles County
Location of church: State Hwy N (MO-N) & Hopewell Rd. (formerly Diehr Rd.), S of Wentzville; W of Lake St. Louis
Built: 1952 & 1987
Pastor: Rev. Rodney Bozeman, Sr.
There are two separate church buildings here. One built in 1952 (on the right) and one built in 1987 (on the left).
These churches serve the descendants of slaves from the early 1800's tobacco farms in this area.
"REV. JAMES E. WELCH
In the beginning of Hopewell, Rev. James E. Welch, a white minister, preached to the slaves and freed blacks under a brush arbor. He baptized over forty members in a stream a few miles away. Rev. Welch, with the help of Rev. Thomas Jefferson, a white missionary from the St. Louis Baptist Association, appointed Hopewell's first African American pastor, Rev. Isam Morton.
"REV. ISAM MORTON
Pastor Morton was appointed Hopewell's first African American pastor in 1862, the year the United States Congress abolished slavery. Isam served the congregation well and faithfully for 40 years.
"REV. JAMES PARHAM
Rev. James Parham was selected as Hopewell's pastor on December 22, 1962. Under his leadership, several men were called to the ministry. In 1987, a larger sanctuary was built and dedicated to Rev. Parham who continued to Pastor at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church of Wentzville for thirty years." ~ Church History