Church History

Below is a timeline of how we got our start here in Melbourne, Florida from our inception up to the present.

• 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 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 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