History

Some history about Hope UCC…

As the end of World War II drew near, new churches in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood were born. With a need for hope in a war-weary world, 63 persons who had been worshiping together for about six months formally organized as Hope Evangelical and Reformed Church on June 25, 1944. The initial group met in the home of one of its members, and as they grew in size, they utilized space in the portable buildings of Nottingham Public School.

While meeting in the portable school buildings the congregation continued to grow, and on August 29, 1948 ground was broken on the corner of Tamm and Eichelberger for Hope’s church building, which remains the current home of the congregation. When the United Church of Christ denomination was formed in 1957, Hope Evangelical and Reformed Church officially changed its name to Hope United Church of Christ.

Hope UCC’s first pastor was the Rev. Norman Zulauf, who served the congregation for 20 years. His leadership was followed by co-pastors Rev. John Trnka and Rev. Donald Mayer. Subsequently Hope has been served by Rev. Dennis Lindberg, Rev. Arthur Ellersick, Rev. Joan Dippel, Rev. Donald Henderson, Rev. Dr. David Mehl, Rev. Dr. Sarah Fredriksen McCann, and Rev. Ed Zumwinkel. Rev. Dr. Sarah Fredriksen McCann continues to serve Hope Church as pastor, now in her nineteenth year of ministry with the congregation.

Hope UCC has a long history of praising God through music. In addition to our Chancel Choir and Youth Choir, a handbell choir was started in the late 1990s under the direction of Jim Threlkeld, who remains the Director of Music Ministries to this day. In 2002, as part of a total reconfiguration of the sanctuary, the Rodgers organ was replaced by a pipe organ from Harrison and Harrison, coming all the way from Durham, England.

History shows that the congregation of Hope has been engaged in mission organizations locally as well as worldwide. Locally support has been provided for the former Deaconess Hospital, Unleashing Potential (formerly UCC Neighborhood Houses), Emmaus Homes, Eden Seminary, Habitat for Humanity, Isaiah 58, the St. Louis Association of the U and many other programs. Since 1971, the facilities at Hope have served as the home for HopeMark Pre-School. Globally support is given through Our Christian World Mission, the Christmas Fund, the Heifer Project, Church World Service and others.

In 2010, Hope UCC became an Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ, and ministries of welcome, advocacy, and affirming continue through our active Open and Affirming ministry team.

As written in the concluding lines of our statement of welcome and mission,

“It is our mission, inspired by God’s Holy Spirit, to engage persons in living out the gospel of Jesus Christ. Please come, for all things are ready.”

We pray that our history reflects this mission, as we continue to follow where Christ leads us, with Hope!