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Fifty years ago a small group of concerned people united themselves into a bond of common fellowship. This worshipping community, known as Hope Church, has grown, both materially and spiritually under the guiding direction of the Holy Spirit. We, the living ones in the present, are the ones benefiting from the fruits of the labor gone before. It is with deep concern and a strong faith that we look to the future. We dedicate this booklet to all those who have faithfully labored in the church, sowing and nourishing the need of Gods word for the past fifty years, with special reference to Mrs. Christina Knodel who is the oldest living member. She will celebrate her 95th birthday this October. it is from this heritage that we draw our strength. Praise be to God. The Hope Congregational Church was organized in a school house 11 miles north and 1 Mile east of Bethune, Colo., on August 31, 1911. Those present upon this occasion were Pastors Ferdinand Sattler, and George J. Schmidt, also 11 families including 37 confirmed persons who constituted the first members. These were:
The new congregation was gathered by Pastors Sattler and Schmidt previously mentioned, and also by the Rev. Jacob P. Wagner who baptized and confirmed the first children even before the congregation was organized. These pastors served other churches but made periodic visits to Yale, as the area near the location of the church was then known. On Jan. 11, 1912, the congregation voted to build a church and this task was begun immediately. A conditional gift of $150 was obtained from the Congregational Church Building and Loan Society and the Congregation subscribed $316.75 from among themselves enabling the project to be completed for a total cost of $466.75 with the aid of considerable volunteer labor from the devoted members of the church. The first church building was a small one-room frame structure which stood approximately 200 feet west and 30 feet north from the location of the present church. it was completed and dedicated together with the cemetery on Feb. 18, 1912, only one month after it was decided that a building should be erected. Land fro the erection of the church building and establishment of a cemetery was donated by John Dobler, Sr., who later in 1933 added to this parcel in order that there would be sufficient space for a parsonage to be constructed. The congregation became a corporate body on Feb. 3 1912, under the name of "German Evangelical Congregational Hoffnungs Church of Bethune, Colorado." This name was later changed to Hope Congregational Church of Bethune, Colorado. For several years, following the organization of the church, the congregation was served by students during the summer months as the church was not yet strong enough to obtain the services of a full-time pastor. Among these young men were:
The first full-time pastor was the Rev. Mr. Karl Haemmelmann who had previously served as student pastor in 1913. Pastor Haemmelmann returned in 1918 and served until 1922. The Rev. Mr. J. P. Flemmer was called to serve in 1922 and he remained until 1925. During his ministry, in the spring of 1923, a parsonage was erected on a site immediately north of the present church building. Professor Otto J. Tieda of the Redfield School was on of those present and assisting at the parsonage dedication on July 15, 1923. In 1926, The Rev. Mr. C.E. Maaedche was called to serve as pastor and he served longer than any other pastor of Hope Church, remaining until 1934. During the ministry of Pastor Maedche a fine new church building was erected. On Jan. 6, 1928 it was voted to build a new church and a committee was appointed for this purpose. On Jan. 30 the committee presented its plans to the congregation which were accepted and construction began. The basic contract for the structure was awarded to Mr. J. A. Haughey of Burlington who completed his work for $5494. The total cost of the finished structure, furnished was $7452.54, which figure was kept low because of the willing efforts of many church members. The new building was completed and dedicated to the service of the Triune God on Sept. 2, 1928. Among the guests present for the dedication were the Rev. Messers, J. Peter Wagner, P.J. Flemmer, J. Rothenberger, H.J. Stroh, and Theodore C. Strobel, all of which assisted in the dedication ceremony. The Rev. Mr. John Hoelzer came to serve the church in 1935 remaining until 1938. During his ministry the church observed its 25th anniversary, on August 29-30, 1936. Upon this occasion the Rev. Messers, George J. Schmidt and J. Rothenberger were present as guest speakers. Pastor J.F. Reister was called to the pastorate of Hope Church in 1939 and remained until 1942. In 1943 the Rev. Mr. H.G. Pfeiff came to serve as pastor remaining until 1944. During the ministry of Rev. Pfeiff, the church became self-supporting. Previously, the church had received missionary financial assistance from the Congregational Christian Board of Home Missions. throughout most of its history. Now, and from henceforth, the church was able to maintain its programs with out mission subsidy. Pastor D.G. Schurr assumed the pastorate in 1944, continuing until 1956. The Rev. Mr. J. Rothenberger, who had previously served as the first student pastor in 1912, came back to serve as pastor in 1947 and remained until 1950. The Rev. Mr. H.E. Wilske assumed the duties of minister, remaining until 1959. During his ministry the parsonage was moved to the town of Burlington and completely remodeled, located at 325 16th St. This was done in 1955 and much of the work as well as the necessary expenses was provided fro by the interested members. During 1960 and 1961 the church has been served by several supply pastors including students E. Schoessler, Rev. Barthel, P. Kreuzenstein and V. Shively. Thus far in history of the Hope Congregational Church 181 persons have been baptized, 103 confirmed into church membership, 40 couples have been united in marriage and 52 persons have found their last resting place thru the services of our church. Three young men have gone forth from Hope Congregational Church into full-time service of the church. These are:
In addition to these persons, one young lady from Hope Church has served for many years as a minister's wife, and one young man has dedicated his intentions of serving his lord as an agricultural missionary. Perhaps the outstanding characteristics of Hope Church have been its Sunday School and missionary concern. The Sunday School has always been an integral part of the church program, actively supported by all the church families, adults as well as children, and maintaining this life of the church throughout those many periods when the church was without the services of a resident pastor. Perhaps because Hope Church has itself been a mission and has benefited from considerable mission assistance, it is concerned that others shall receive as freely and generously as it itself has received. nearly $40,000 has gone forth from this church to various mission and benevolent concerns during its 50 year history. Much of these funds were given at times when they involved considerable sacrifice on the part of the givers. This indicates the spirit of devotion and commitment which has guided the interests of this church and its members thus far in its 50 year history, and by the grace of God, we trust will remain the guiding spirit for many years to come. History of Hope Ladies Aid Christina Gramm, Magdalena Dobler, Mrs. Julia Hoelzer, Caroline Schaal, Emma M. Schaal, Lena Strobel, Edna Dobler, Pauline Schaal, Martha Gramm, Margaret Stahlecker [987] ??, Martha Adolf, Anna Strobel, Martha Schlichenmayer, Pauline C. Schaal, Lydia Adolf, Rev. John Hoelzer. Rev. Hoelzer opened this first regular meeting with song and scripture and gave a talk on China Inland Missions. Officers elected were: President Mrs. Julia Hoelzer; Vice President, Mrs. Edna Dobler; Secretary, Miss Pauline Stahlecker; treasure, Mrs. Pauline Schaal. Some of the highlights of the meeting were: The name of the society shall be Missionary and Aid Society. Meetings shall be held on the first Thursday of the month. The motto of the society, accepted in 1937, "Alle eure dinge lasset in due liebe geshehen." (Let all your efforts be motivated by charity or love.) In 1941, the group began to meet in the mornings, a pot lunch served at noon. The first meeting held in the English language was Feb. 2, 1950. Dues were also raised to 25¢ per member in 1947. The Society began with 21 members and at the present time there are 19 active members and 1 honorary member. One June 26, 1960, the Society celebrated its 25th anniversary with an afternoon program followed by a fellowship hour in the basement. The beautiful anniversary cake (baked and decorated by Lena Strobel and Anna Strobel), was served with punch to all in attendance. |
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