For many generations of her children, Bright Hope Baptist Church has been the place that started them out on God’s path — those are the words found in the introduction of Bright Hope Baptist Church, “One Shared Story,” a 16-page document outlining the history of a Louisa church that recently found its way on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Bright Hope Baptist Church was approved for designation on the Virginia Landmarks Register last year. On February 2, 2026, the National Park Service agreed with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s assessment and added Bright Hope Baptist Church to the NRHP.

Bright Hope Baptist Church, located in the Trevilians area of Louisa County at 9833 Poindexter Road, had its genesis in 1882. A few people gathered to worship among an opening in the woods of stately Oak trees in the Green Springs area and named it Oak Grove. Travel was difficult as the only form of transportation was either foot or horse and buggy, so Oak Grove was called the “Mother Church” and a division of its members started Bright Hope Baptist Church nearby. On September 15, 1882, a deed for the sum of one dollar was given for the land that is now the site of the church.

Reverend Sherman W. Thomas of Montpelier, Virginia was the 14th pastor and served Bright Hope Baptist Church from 1978 to 1986. During his time, an addition was added that included a basement, a pastor’s study, a choir room, bathrooms, a furnace, air conditioning, padded pews, and an electric typewriter.

On April 11, now 84-years-old, Thomas was able to attend the dedication ceremony and unveiling of a marker celebrating their inclusion on the NRHP.

“I’m happy to see that the church has advanced and is still progressing,” Thomas said. “It’s good to be here and recognize what has been done here today. [This church] is what it is today because of the goodness of the Lord.”

In 2018, the church body came together and narrowed a list of 30 applicants for the position of pastor. On October 7 of that year, Reverend Damaro Robinson of Richmond, Virginia was chosen as Pastor-elect. After six months of preaching and spreading the Gospel, Robinson became Bright Hope’s 17th pastor on May 5, 2019.

Robinson reflected that he always wanted to do something that his children would be proud of, that they could look back one day and know what their father did at a specific place and time.

“I thank God for everything he has done,” Robinson said. “I did not know being led here seven years ago we would be where we are right now.”

The church is grateful to be a beacon of light where faith still stands, Robinson shared. As a current resident of Charlotte, North Carolina due to a job change, Robinson chooses to serve his congregation each week by making the five-hour drive.

“We still choose to come here to support this community and our church as much as possible,” Robinson said, including his family in the statement. “Rather than leave this fellowship and leave the congregation, we decided to stay. We still travel here every week for services and we still travel here for functions in the community.”

Bright Hope Baptist Church staff credited the late Gloria Gilmore and her nonprofit “One Shared Story,” which was founded in 2018 to promote African American history, for helping them achieve the landmark designation.

“For us, and for this community, it’s a momentous occasion of our resilience,” Robinson said, noting that over his tenure the church went from debt to debt-free status. “We are truly grateful to God for all the hard work that went into this project to make this happen for us and this community. It marks the history and the dedication of this church and the contributions this church has made to this community over 144 years. We are excited and grateful for the opportunity to be recognized as a national historic landmark.”