“The laying of the cornerstone in 1866 marked the formal beginning of the church now known as the Hopewell United Methodist Church. Originally it was named Centenary Church. According to the recollection of older members, it has been called Hopewell for approximately 125 years. The Reverend Thomas Lee was minister of the Susquehanna Circuit in 1866 when the church was built. Hopewell has remained part of the Susquehanna Circuit ever since. The property, a little over an acre, was owned by Harvey Mitchell: He sold it to the trustees of Hopewell Methodist Church for $100. The deed made provisions that no hogs or chickens were to be kept on the place. The seller of the property, Mr. Mitchell, was informed that a Methodist Episcopal Church would be built. He was present at the ground-breaking and apparently dug the first shovelful of dirt. In 1868 Articles of Corporation were drawn up but were not executed until January, 1870.”
“In 1939, Hopewell Methodist Protestant Church received a new name since the denomination it was affiliated with received a new identity. Three denominations, The Methodist Protestant Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church and The Methodist Episcopal Church South, united in a historic move to become the Methodist Church. The move brought together three denominations that had been torn apart during and after the Civil War. Hopewell became Hopewell Methodist church.”
“From 1941 to 1955, the Susquehanna Circuit consisted of three churches. The third church was Cranberry Methodist at Perryman. Worship service for Cranberry was sometimes held on Sunday evenings since the minister had three churches to serve. In 1955, the Baltimore Conference changed the affiliation of Cranberry to another Circuit and the Susquehanna Circuit reverted to a two point charge of Wesleyan Chapel and Hopewell.”
“A tabernacle was built in the Grove in 1952 as a substitute for the tent previously used for summer revival services. Timber for the rafters and poles came from the trees in the Grove. The building was a joint project of Hopewell and Wesleyan Chapel churches. It is now solely the property of Hopewell. The revival services were traditional in the Hopewell Grove for about sixty years. A storage building and a privy were located outside to the rear of the old church. Running water and an indoor bathroom were not available to the congregation until the new church was built”
“In 1955, the presiding pastor, Rev John Buchheister, presented a resolution to the Quarterly Conference to authorize Hopewell Church to promote a building program. However that first set of plans was rejected and it was not until 1961 when Rev William T. Miller was pastor that the second set of plans was drawn and approved. The cost of the building was $98,167 and the furnishings cost $6,657. The congregation worked diligently and faithfully to pay off this mortgage. At a special service February 1, 1976, the church was dedicated and the mortgage was burned. The document was burned in a stainless steel roaster belonging to Harold and Isabelle Stearn. Rev Vincent P. Owens was pastor at the time.”
-Hopewell United Methodist Church 150th Anniversary booklet from 2016.
Around 2008 the church had built a new front vestibule, with bathrooms and an elevator, to accommodate the members who struggle with stairs.
Hopewell United Methodist Church 