Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church

This folder contains a congregational historical record, bulletins from the dedication day and the 30th anniversary service, a bulletin from 1970, order of service from the service of reception and organization, two bulletins from 1952, a bulletin from 1961, a bulletin from the service of entry into the new building, an invitation to groundbreaking for the new building, a hymn book,an invitation to an installation, a 40th anniversary bulletin, pastor profile, bulletin from 1992, and a newspaper clipping realted to the church's anniversary celebration.

A survey conducted by Midland College student Howard Baumgart during the summer of 1950 led to the organization of Hope Lutheran. Mission developer M. Roderick Anderson arrived in August 1951 and held the first worship service on November 11 of that year. The congregation organized on May 4, 1952. By June 15 the purchase of property was approved. A house was remodeled and used for all church activities until the completion of the church in 1961. In January of 1970 the congregation began a community day care program. A year later a Retirement Village with 30 low-cost housing units was dedicated. In 1973 an administration building, with a library, office, and classrooms, was completed. In 1981 the congregation celebrated its thirtieth anniversary.