"Great is Thy Faithfulness"

A Historical Sketch of Hope Community Baptist Church   (an excerpt from "Stories of Hope") 

"It was on Monday, December 3, 1934, when a group of 17 believers met in a home to consider how to preserve and possibly increase the use of the German language in the worship service at Burns Avenue Baptist Church. The church (which still conducts services on Burns and Chapin Streets in Detroit) was beginning to curtail some of the German services. These believers felt that at this time they were more comfortable worshipping in their mother tongue. This was by no means a small undertaking, but God blessed their efforts.

The group obtained permission to use a mission building belonging to Burns Avenue Baptist church on Liberal Street for their Sunday night meetings. Although these meetings continued on for a few months under the ministry of Rev. Adolph Bandzmer, the group experienced steady growth. It soon became evident that a separation from their mother church was inevitable. By God's grace, they were able to find a suitable vacant lot on Longview and Conners streets for $600. On May 3, 1935, the group officially organized their church with 47 members and named it Conners Avenue Deutsche Baptisten Gemeinde (Conners Avenue German Baptist Church)."

Over the years,  the church experienced substantial growth to a point at which overcrowding was an issue. In 1953, the Ridgemont Mission was created and services were held at both Conner and this new location. Eventually, the old property was sold, and Ridgemont Baptist church was dedicated, located in East Detroit at the corner of Boulder and 8 Mile Road.

"The church enjoyed a period of stability under the leadership of Dr. Helmut Waltereit (1962-1971), Dr. Herbert Hiller (1971-1977), Pastor Alfred Gramms (1977-1984), Pastor Douglas Timm (1984-1988), and Pastor Lloyd Chase (1988-1991). The gospel was preached by many of our pastors in both German and English. Many people were saved and added to the church. Sunday School teachers taught the word faithfully to young and old every Sunday. Visitors and members alike enjoyed and supported each other in other ministries as well: the choirs, ladies' ministries, men's ministries, youth ministries, children's ministries, Fellowship Circle, New Life and New Directions.