Church History
Below is a timeline of how we got our start here in Melbourne, Florida from our inception up to the present.
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September 1979
Exploration of Melbourne field begun by Pastor Douglas Hartley, Redeemer, Merritt Island
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January 13, 1980
Information meeting held at Ramada Inn
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April 13, 1980
First service held at Adventist Hall, Melbourne
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May 18, 1980
Sunday School & Adult Bible classes begun
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December 14, 1980
Charter Sunday (41 communicants sign as charter members)
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February 15, 1981
Installation of first resident Pastor, Rev. Marcus Manthey
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May 31, 1981
First Confirmation
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August 7, 1981
Membership in WELS granted
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April 25, 1982
Morning services begun at Melbourne Municipal Band Building
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July 25, 1982
WEF site on Hollywood Blvd, West Melbourne purchased
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May 29, 1983
First adult confirmation
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February 12, 1984
Ground-breaking for WEF unit
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September 9, 1984
First service in the new WEF
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February 14, 1985
Fifth anniversary of New Hope, guest preacher Rev. John Brenner
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December 1986
Rev. Manthey accepts call to Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw Michigan
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February 15, 1987
Rev. Robert Krueger installed as Pastor of New Hope
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July 1987
First vacation bible school
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May 1988
Pasonage dedicated
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December 1989
Committee formed to plan building of new chapel
January 1990
New Hope lists 104 member
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
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 member
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 pastorMarch 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
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