A Brief History
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1849

Hopewell United Methodist Church began November 1, 1849 when Jared Handley deeded three acres of land to be appropriated for the use of an Academy and Meeting house. This tract of ground lay east of the second chuch site, property presently occupied by the Tyrone Town Hall on Senoia Road in Tyrone.
1854

A Deed was written for one acre of land lying on the west side of the lot of Hopewell Academy on August 10, 1854 and given by Willis Landrum for the purpose of a church separated from the Academy. The church was founded in 1854 as a Methodist Protestant Church.

The first church building, a 40' x 60' wooden structure, with a low pitched, shingled roof, was completed in 1854. Many of the original members walked 5 to 6 miles to worship in a sanctuary that had no heat or lights. It was a new beginning.

1889 As years passed, the church building began to need repairs. In 1889 the roof was raised to a higher pitch and the outside was painted white. These changes made a great difference in the appearance of the church.
1939 The name of the church was changed to Hopewell Methodist Church. This followed the merger of the Methodist Protetant Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Mehtodist Episcopal Church, South, into one body.
1942 Discussions began about the condition of the church. It was decided that a new building would better serve the needs of the growing Hopewell congregation.
1947 Ground was broken on July 5, 1947 for a new church building.

On April 25, 1948, the first service was held in the new church building (presently occupied by Tyrone Town Hall). The beautiful red brick exterior, along with the stained glass memorial windows became a tribute to those who worked so diligently to make Hopewell possible. Along with the new church came some of the modern conveniences such as electricity and gas heating. As the church continued to grow over the next thirty years expansion became a reality.

1953

Piano was added.
1956 First floor of the Education building was contracted. It included Sunday School classes, a nursery, and restrooms.
1961 Construction began on the second floor of the Education building.
1966 The kitchen was completed by Milton Adams in memory of Ms. Clara McElwaney.
1968 The Evangelical United Brethern merged with the Methodist Church to form the United Methodist Church. The name was then changed to Hopewell United Methodist Church.

1973

In December 1972 ground was broken for a new parsonage at 565 Briarwood Road in Tyrone. Construction was completed in 1973 and Rev. Luther E. Cooper and his family moved into it on June 26, 1973.
1980




1982 		The sanctuary was remodeled. The steeple
and front porch were added to the front of the church. New pews were added to the older ones. A church bell was also added to the steeple.

The Final Phase of the Education Building was completed.

1988
A 1988 Ford Club-Wagon XL
15-Passenger Van was purchased.
1989

Purchased 29 acres of land on Jenkins Road in Tyrone from L.B. Bradley for $250,000. A Capital Funds Crusade was begun to raise funds to pay for the indebtedness on the land and for the construction of a new building on that land. In March 1994 the debt on the land was paid off.

1994
On July 5, 1994 the Church was sold to the City of Tyrone for $285,000 to be used as Town Hall. Church services were temporarily held at Tyrone Elementary and Sandy Creek High School.

1995





1998
In December 1995, the first phase of the new building on Jenkins Road was completed and Hopewell began meeting in the fellowship hall. The stained glass memorial windows and old sanctuary furniture were incorporated into the new design.

A Preschool program was started. A playground was added behind the church.

1999

Construction of a pavilion was begun by the United Methodist Men. The work was completed in January 2000.
2002
The Parsonage on Briarwood Road in Tyrone was sold.


2004		     A used 2000 Ford E-450
    24-Passenger Bus
    was purchased.
2005 An outdoor beach volleyball court was constructed behind the church.
2006 In December 2006 the First Phase mortgage was paid off.

 

3/04/2007