The Hopewell Branch of Olde Meck has the privilege to meet at one of the most historic sites in Mecklenburg County -- Hopewell Presbyterian Church. Dr. J.B. Alexander states in his book, Biographical Sketches of the Hopewell Section, "There is, perhaps no more historic region in America than Mecklenburg County, and in that county no spot so conspicuous for men of daring and chivalric deed in Revolutionary times as the Hopewell settlement." Hopewell's beginnings are best described by a quote from the Rev. Charles W. Sommerville, D.D.'s book, The History of Hopewell Presbyterian Church. "Hopewell's first preacher was a missionary, the Rev. John Thomson; her birthplace was the home of Richard Barry and Ann Price Barry, his wife. In her first session was John McKnitt Alexander and her first pastor was Rev. Alexander Craighead; her first site was where she now stands. Fire has left unknown the exact date of her birth." The recognized date for Hopewell's organization is 1762. This date includes her in the "Seven Original Churches" of Olde Mecklenburg.

You are welcome to join us at our monthly meeting the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 am. July and August are our vacation months. At our meetings you may learn of a cousin unknown to you, or find a cemetery location of a great-grandparent, even visit a home of a distant ancestor on some of our day trips. Hope to see you at Hopewell.

For more information on the Hopewell Branch of the Olde Mecklenburg Genealogical Society, please contact Tina Brown, the moderator.