Church History

September 1979

• Exploration of Melbourne field begun by Pastor Douglas Hartley, Redeemer, Merritt Island

January 13, 1980

• Information meeting held at Ramada Inn

April 13, 1980

• First service held at Adventist Hall, Melbourne

May 18, 1980

• Sunday School & Adult Bible classes begun

December 14, 1980

• Charter Sunday (41 communicants sign as charter members)

February 15, 1981

• Installation of first resident Pastor, Rev. Marcus Manthey

May 31, 1981

• First Confirmation

August 7, 1981

• Membership in WELS granted

April 25, 1982

• Morning services begun at Melbourne Municipal Band Building

July 25, 1982

• WEF site on Hollywood Blvd, West Melbourne purchased

May 29, 1983

• First adult confirmation

February 12, 1984

• Ground-breaking for WEF unit

September 9, 1984

• First service in the new WEF

February 14, 1985

• Fifth anniversary of New Hope, guest preacher Rev. John Brenner

December 1986

• Rev. Manthey accepts call to Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw Michigan

February 15, 1987

• Rev. Robert Krueger installed as Pastor of New Hope

July 1987

• First vacation bible school

May 1988

• Pasonage dedicated

December 1989

• Committee formed to plan building of new chapel

January 1990

• New Hope lists 104 members

November 1991

• Two Sunday morning worship services begun

April 1992

• Voters approve new building plan

September 1992

• Synod approved New Hope's request for planning authority

January 1993

• New Hope lists 129 members

July 1994

• Ground-breaking for new chapel

March 12, 1995

• First service in new chapel

April 2, 1995

• New chapel dedicated to the Glory of God

October 1996

• Pastor Krueger accepts call to Shepherd of the Hills, Knoxville TN.

• Pastor Victor Thierfelder serves as vacancy pastor

March 2, 1997

• Pastor Dale Raether installed as pastor of New Hope

December 1998

• Congregation completes transition to use of new hymnal, Christian Worship. Membership reaches 194 souls.

September 1999

• Congregation receives presentation by Mr. Jason Nelson on Lutheran Elementary Schools, agrees to proceed with further evaluation

March 2000

• School Advisability study with Mr. Jason Nelson

April 30, 2000

• Twenty year church celebration

March 2001

• Begin parking lot expansion project

Fall 2002

• Complete parking lot expansion and site preparation for future building additions

February, 2003

• Builders for Christ add a 5,000 Sq. Ft. Building addition for Fellowship and classrooms

September 14, 2003

• Dedication of Building addition & Celebration of Pastor Raether's 25 years in the ministry

September, 2004

• New Hope Academy begins fall classes with 5 students

Fall 2007

• New Hope Academy preschool begins operation

December, 2007

• New Church Organ installed, a donation in memory of Beulah Accord

August 17, 2008

• Congregation celebrates Pastor Raether's 30 years in the ministry