Wood County

Little Hope Baptist Church

Historical Marker Text

Led by Elder Jacob Ziegler and Deacon P. M. Gunstream, the five charter members of this congregation held their organizational meeting in 1881 under a nearby arbor. Legend holds that the church was given its name because there was little hope the church would survive more than a year. In spite of the skepticism, the fellowship began to grow steadily. Early members were received into the congregation following baptisms held in J. A. Stinson's mill pond. A portion of the land on which the church is located was donated in 1881 by J. D. Cox. Near the end of the nineteenth century, Little Hope Missionary Baptist Church purchased three additional acres. In later years other small tracts of land, including the site of an old schoolyard, were added to the church property. For more than one hundred years Little Hope Missionary Baptist Church has provided service and leadership to this area of Wood County. Soon after its own organization, the congregation helped establish the nearby East Point Missionary Baptist congregation. The growth of Little Hope Missionary Baptist Church reflects the ideals and religious dedication of its founders, while the historic congregation is a reminder of the area's rich heritage. 1983