Gospel-Centered,
Mission Driven.

Hope Church has been in ministry in various locations and under various names since 1841. Hope began as a Sunday School class in Dayton with 21 German-speaking members and was organized and taught by Absalom Shafer, a circuit rider. The Methodist movement and the beginnings of Hope Church was influenced greatly by leaders such as John Wesley, Francis Asbury, Phillip Otterbein, Martin Boehm, and Jacob Albright.

The history of Hope Church has been one of twists and turns but also one of having an impact on its members and community. Hope Church grew from two East Dayton churches – Wayne Avenue and High Street.  In 1884, the Wayne Avenue congregation bravely switched from a German-speaking church to one that spoke English; in 1946 the Evangelical Church merged with the United Brethren Church to become the EUB church. In 1960 a fire destroyed the High Street church; In 1962 the High Street Church relocated to its current Wilmington Pike location and became Christ Church. In 1968 the EUB and Methodist Church merged to become the United Methodist Church. Finally, in 1968 Christ EUB became the Hope UMC.  In 1971 the Wayne Avenue Church relocated and merged with the Hope United Methodist Church.  In 2022, Hope Church ended affiliation with the United Methodist Church and joined the Global Methodist Church.

Despite the many changes, Hope Church, in all its iterations, has honored and fulfilled this Wesleyan tradition and has upheld the Wesleyan beliefs and values. Our Statement of Faith still honors this tradition and will remain the foundation of Hope Church.

Indeed, Hope Church has experienced a lot: the foundation of a city, the innovation of flight, a mighty flood, and the richness of God’s love. Year after year, Hope’s congregation has faithfully sought God, taught the Scripture, and served its community. Hope Church is still making an impact on its world. Our annual Christmas With A Cause campaign has built a birthing center in Zambia, assisted in constructing cottages in the Philippines to minister to displaced women, helped with the founding of Brigid’s Path, just to name a few. While our rich heritage has brought together faithful believers in their pursuit of God, we sincerely believe that through Hope, our best days are yet to come.

To God Be the Glory!