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Methodist preaching in Hopewell was begun by Rev. Alfonso Dare, then pastor of the Linvale church, at the reguest of Mr. Jonathan Stilwell, a prominent citizen in town.  The first meeting was held in the G.A.R. Hall in Hopewell on October 8, 1893.  The first trustees, LP Hurley, William Scudder, Jacob Wilson, and Alfonso Dare worked diligently to secure funds for the erection of a church building, and, as a testimony to their sucess, the cornerstone of the church was laid in 1893.

Reverend William Murphy succeeded Alfonso Dare as pastor in 1894, and the Sunday Schol was organized on November 18 of that year.  During the four years of Rev. Murphy's pastorate, the church showed fine growth, expanding its numbers to 105 full members and 11 probationers.  At the same time, many additions were made towards the completion of the church building.

In 1898, Alfonso Dare served as pastor again.  During that same year, window casing, papering, hard oil finishing, carpeting, pulpit furnishing, and bell tower construction were accomplished.  Two years hence, in early 1900, the question of building a parsonage was considered and approved.  By Christmas of that year, the house was finished, including interior furnishings.  In addition, ground was purchased at the rear of the parsonage and horse sheds were constructed.

At the close of the first seven years, it seemed evident that Methodism had come to stay in the parish of Hopewell.  In the years following, the church building continued to be improved to meet the growing needs of its membership.  In 1923, a basement was dug beneath the church, and a concrete floor laid to provide adequate space for Sunday School rooms and a fellowship hall.  Years later, in 1941, the sanctuary interior was remodeled with the lowering of the ceiling and covering of the stained wainscoating with creme-colored asbestos board.  A major milestone in addition to these improvements was the construction of a larger church kitchen, furnace room, and two additional classrooms, all made possible by the bequest of Mr. John E. Ewing in 1950. More

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20 Blackwell Ave  Hopewell, NJ 08525 • (609) 466-0471
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