Rachel Flowers sitting in front of Hopewell United Methodist Church in a photo from the 19th century
By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
Rev. Barbara Salyers of Hopewell United Methodist Church in Madison Township stands behind the church’s original 19th century pulpit. The pulpit is made of black walnut and is still in use at the church. It features a rostrum that can be raised or lowered to accommodate the speaker.
Hopewell United Methodist Church as it looked in 1969.
The countryside surrounding Hopewell United Methodist Church is nearly as quiet and rural as it was when the church was founded more than two centuries ago.
According to J. I. Tyler’s book, “One Hundred Years of Methodism on Groveport Circuit Ohio Conference 1905,” the Rev. John C. Jackson once referred to the area as “one of the garden spots of the world.”
The approximately 200 member church, located at 4348 London Lancaster Road in Madison Township, will celebrate its 210th anniversary “Hopewell Homecoming” on Sept. 27 at 10:30 a.m. with a worship service and a complimentary dinner following the service. The event features a presentation of the church’s history by Raymond White and a video of historic photos.
Founding
The church was founded in 1805 with nine members and was organized in the cabin of Ezekiel Groom. Services were held in Groom’s cabin, except for a couple of years when they were held at Jeremiah White’s property, until a church was built about a quarter mile north of the current church along the creek. The current church was built in 1844 and has been remodeled and added to over the years.
According to White, why the congregation took the name Hopewell is lost to history. He also noted there are still families attending the church whose ancestors were early members.
“There’s a lot of familiar last names from the area,” said White.
Traditions
In a display case at the church is a 19th century, small collection tin that represents a long time tradition of the church.
“When it was your birthday, you placed a penny in the tin for each year of your age,” said White. “The money collected throughout the year provided for the annual Christmas treat for the kids, which was usually a small box of candy and an orange.”
This tradition continues as birthday pennies are still collected for Sunday School. However, now the church’s men’s group puts a Christmas box together of candy for all the church members.
One way the church keeps the past alive is with the lights illuminating the church sanctuary. The stained glass lights hanging from the ceiling were built by Lyle Ackerman using the stained glass and wood frames from a few of the church’s windows that were removed when an addition was built to the church.
The church’s original 19th century black walnut pulpit is still in use at the church. It features a rostrum that can be raised or lowered to accommodate the speaker.
“They were thinking ahead when they built it in considering the height of future speakers who would use it,” said White.
In another tradition, the church’s women’s group has been meeting since 1805. Originally the annual dues for the group were 10 cents per year and now they are $1.25.
The church’s work
The church is active in supporting many good works in the community. Some of its efforts include:
•Holding foundation dinners in Lancaster to help the homeless.
•Supporting Hazel’s House of Hope in south Columbus, which assists women in distress.
•Supporting food pantries in Canal Winchester, Groveport and Ashville.
•Supporting a scholarship fund.
“This is a very caring church,” said Hopewell United Methodist Church Rev. Barbara Salyers. “This is a close knit, loving community that reaches out with the love of Christ. It’s grace filled and welcoming.”
For information about the church, visit www.HopewellUnitedMethodist.com.
