New Hope United Methodist Church

New Hope United Methodist Church

History

In June 1850, Lydia Ann Poole conveyed to the trustees of Methodist Episcopal Church Lot Number 30, on the west side of Middle Street, now Maryland Avenue. The site, costing $200, contained a partially-completed log house which was finished in 1851. The "Berlin Church" organized that year was the first local church that became the center of religious life for the community of some 300 people.

Since the Berlin Charge was part of the Buckeystown Circuit, the first pastor, Rev. Joseph Spangler, who served for seven years, travelled by horse and buggy and at times by canal boat to conduct services.

The first Sunday School was organized in 1852. History records the names of B. F. Sigafoose and Mrs. Mary Virginia Hogan for this project.

For over twenty years the small log cabin served as the community's only worship center. The sanctuary was on the main floor and a balcony provided space for the slaves who brought their folks to worship. During the Civil War, the log structure saw use as a hospital for wounded soldiers.

With a growing congregation and a need to find higher ground above flood level, the site of the present sanctuary was purchased from Mary and Adam Ridenbaugh for $60 in 1870. A frame structure built for the congregation of 150 people served the community until 1893. Adam Ridenbaugh, Thomas Watts, Henry Lapole, James McGaha and William Sigafoose were trustees during this period. These facilities were made available to several denominations interested in becoming established.

In 1891, the Lutheran group, in 1892, the Presbyterian Church and the Reformed Church, met here to organize and hold early services.

In 1893, a Southern Methodist group was formed to serve the "East End" and New York Hill worshipers. With the growing population, extensive improvements were necessary in 1893. The congregation moved to the Opera House while the sanctuary was remodeled and a modern belfry was built. The BrunsunckHerald of December 1, 1893 recorded, "It is now a roomy and neat building and in keeping with modern architecture."

The present brick structure was erected in 1907 under Rev. W. D. Parry, while the congregation worshiped in a tent on "A" Street opposite the parsonage. In 1938 the adjoining property north of the church was purchased for an educational unit. Construction began in 1941 as the congregation worshiped at the Imperial Theatre. The sanctuary was remodeled, featuring stained glass windows. The educational unit included modern classrooms, Fellowship Hall, Junior Chapel, and office. From 1959 on, an A.A. Chapter was organized, the kindergarten was started, the steeple was completed with a struck clock, chimes, night illumination; air conditioning was installed in the sanctuary.

A library was organized and a Stair-Glide elevator was installed.

Rev. Charles Ely, Dr. Norman Trott, Rev. William Warner, Rev. John Hamilton, and Rev. Harry Ledgard served during these improvements.

Late in 1989, First Methodist Church joined with the New York Hill Methodist Church to form the Brunswick United Methodist Cooperative Parish, with each congregation continuing to meet in their respective buildings but sharing one pastor, Rev. George Earl.

Past Pastors

Pastor	Start	End
Rev. Joseph Spangler	1851	1858
Rev. James Durbarrow	1858	1858
Rev. J.W. Smith	unknown	unknown
Rev. John Langley	unknown	unknown
Rev. Reed	1870	1872
Rev. Durbin Miller	1872	1873
Rev. Henry West	1873	1876
Rev. John Hall	1876	1879
Rev. Haslup	unknown	unknown
Rev. S.N. Alford	unknown	unknown
Rev. W.C. Griffin	1886	1887
Rev. C.O. Isaac	1887	1890
Rev. Wm. Harris	1890	1892
Rev. W.H. Belt	1892	1892
Rev. W.T.L. Welch	1892	1894
Rev. James White	1894	1895
Rev. R.S. Benson	1895	1896
Rev. Francis Harvey	1896	1897
Rev. William Germon	1898	1898
Rev. J.N. Gillum	1898	1902

Media

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