Hopewell United Methodist Church

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Our History - A new building

In 1960, a decision was reached that the church building again was unable to meet the ever-growing demands of God's work in Hopewell. Consequently, plans were initiated to build, for the glorification of God and the beautification of Hopewell, a new sanctuary. As a final stamp of approval, the quartely conference authorized the building committee to officially represent the parishioners' request early in 1961. March 22 through April 3, 1962 were the dates of the building fund drive conducted under the direction of Rev. Leon Blackman, a representative of the United Methodist Divison of National Missions.

1964 On March 22, 1964 the newly finished sanctuary was dedicated with Dr. Alexander K. Smith officiating. The former sanctuary was converted into the Sunday School.

To further expand the church's facilities, the congregation, in 1962, voted to purchase two property tracts adjacent to the church building. Included with the Cook parcel was a six room residence which would provide additional housing.

About twenty years later, with the arrival of Pastor Michael Smith in 1980, the church entered into a period of renewal, and, as a result, there was a need to expand and improve the facilities once again. In 1981, the old sanctuary was dedicated by Pator Smith in honor of Charles and Sadie Burton, long-time active members of the congregation. Named Burton Fellowship Hall, the building was restored in a series of projects, beginning with a total remodeling of the interior. This work, done mostly by dedicated member volunteers, included the partitioning of part of the old sanctuary into four classrooms, installing new light fixtures and a drop ceiling, paneling the main hall, and construction a new stairway to the basement. Completed in 1982, this work inspired yet another goal, the designing of a more useful basement.

Finished in 1984, the basement remodeling involved furnishing new drainage pipes, paneling the walls, adding a nursery room, and constructing drop ceilings with better lighting fixtures. Aluminum siding, gutters, and downspouts were also added to protect and beautify the exterior of Burton Hall.