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