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