Church Background

     The first meeting house was used until 1931 when it was torn down and a new building started.  This building underwent changes through additions and remodeling, but served as the meeting house for a period of 50 years.

     In 1980, ground was purchased from Mr. William Bloomer in order that a new building might be constructed.  One of the deacons, Herman Hofmann, was put in charge of the building project.  Through his efforts, and the hard work and dedication of many of the members who worked day and night on this project, the building was completed several months later far under the projected costs.  In 1981, the Hopewell congregation moved into their new meeting house, which was now located just a few hundred feet south of the old building site.  The old building was demolished and the grounds became a part of the Hopewell Cemetery.

     By 2000-2001, the church had grown so that more space was needed in the building for worship and teaching.  Thus, in 2002-2003, mostly through volunteer labor, the church added forty feet to the front of the building, comprised of extended auditorium space upstairs and more classrooms downstairs.  All new pews were purchased.  Also, to the side of the building, two large, handicapped accessible restrooms were added, along with a storage and workroom.  All of this was done without incurring any debt, due to the 2002 sale of the house that had previously served as the minister’s residence.  The elders during the time of this expansion were Les Cochran, Bob Harris, Bill Hofmann, and John Huffman. 

     Over the years, many preachers have contributed to the growth of the congregation at Hopewell.  It would be impossible to list all of their names, however, we will list a few of those who were instrumental in helping the congregation before it had its first located preacher: 

     Kenneth Adams, J.H. Pennel, Guy V. Gaskel, Dale Dotson, Truman Dotson, Horace Taylor, Jim Murphy, Cliff Inman, Harold Burns and Eugene Conger.  It was in the mid-1960's that Waldo Dress began preaching for the congregation on a regular basis and he continued his work until 1970.  At that time, it was decided that Hopewell needed a full-time located minister to work with the congregation.  It was at this time a decision was made to build a home for the preacher and his family and work began to construct a house on a parcel of ground deeded to the church by Mr. F.C. "Pop" Rice.  Upon completion of the home, Jim Phillips and his family moved here to begin their work at Hopewell.  Since that time there have been four other preachers who have worked with the congregation on a full-time basis:  Joe Richards, Steve McIntire, Douglas Petty and Andy Robison.  Andy began his work in July of 2001 and has continued until the present.

     Hopewell has been fortunate to have several men over the years to serve the congregation as elders.  Past elders were:  Millard Fouty, Jim Buckley, J.W. Hofmann, "Pop" Rice, Earl Kaufman, Wilbert Hofmann and Duane Hofmann.  At the present time, Hopewell is overseen by four elders:  Les Cochran, Bob Harris, Bill Hofmann and John Huffman.  The congregation has seven deacons:  Burl Balderson, Bob Hofmann, Edwin Huffman, Mike Amos, Deron Huffman, Bob Balderson, and Josh Cochran.