Mt. Hope United Methodist Church
501 E. Mt. Hope Lansing, MI
48910
(517) 482-1549
Traditional Worship: 9:30 A.M.
Oasis:11:00 A.M.
Pastor:
William Haggard
48910
(517) 482-1549
Traditional Worship: 9:30 A.M.
Oasis:11:00 A.M.
Pastor:
William Haggard
History
In honor of Mount Hope UMC's 90th anniversary, Donna Cote has written a short book describing the Church's history. This book, entitled, "90 Years To Grow On: A History of Mt. Hope United Methodist Church, 1914-2004," is available through the Church office (482-1549).
View a copy of the book. (file size: 1.36MB)
*Note: Your computer must have Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download) to view the copy of the book.
A Brief History of Mt. Hope UMC
In February of 1912, Mrs. Elizabeth Reasoner of Central Methodist Episcopal Church left a legacy of $1,353.00 to start a mission church somewhere in Lansing. A full lot and a half on the Northeast corner of Cedar and Mt. Hope was purchased, and a small frame building was built on the East end of the property, fronting on Mt. Hope Avenue. The building was dedicated on November 20, 1913. A Sunday school was organized, and John F. Bell was placed in charge. Dr. Jas T. LeGear, Pastor of Central Methodist Episcopal Church, conducted preaching services on Sunday afternoons following the Sunday school sessions. In October of 1914, William Bennison Benn, assistant pastor of Central Methodist Episcopal Church, was given direct charge of the Mt. Hope Mission.
By January 31, 1915 Rev. William B. Benn had gathered together 26 persons whom he received as charter members of the new church. At the Conference in September 1915, he was duly appointed pastor of Mt. Hope Methodist Episcopal Church. Two of the 26, John F. Bell and Mrs. J. Fred Deeg, were present at the 50th anniversary celebration, which was held November 20, 1963.
A larger building was soon necessary, and the present structure was started in April 1916. The cornerstone was laid on July 28, 1916. That building is the present sanctuary from the back of the choir loft, west to the pillars. The dedication took place on January 14, 1917. At that time, the original, small frame building was converted into a temporary parsonage. This house was later moved to the North side of our parking lot (517 Norman St.) and sold. After being used as a private residence for several decades, it was repurchased by Mount Hope in Fall, 2003.
A new, larger parsonage was built north of the church and dedicated June 23, 1923, and once again a larger church was needed. The addition from the pillars West to Cedar Street was constructed in 1926. The groundbreaking for the chapel, education, and office wing was on March 28, 1954, and this wing was dedicated on January 6, 1955. In June, 1961, a new parsonage was purchased at 2410 Hampden Drive, and the old one on Cedar Street was used as a youth house. Rev. Warren E. Brown and his wife, Rev. Helen Riggs Brown, had come to Mt. Hope Methodist Church in February 1951, and were the first couple to use the new parsonage on Hampden Drive. Membership had now reached 1,200, and property was purchased to the East on Mt. Hope and to the North on Cedar Street to Norman Road, to increase the parking area.
The most recent addition, which added an all-purpose room and new offices to the North end of the building, was dedicated on September 16, 1984.
Historical information provided by Charles Lawrence and Donna Cote
Please send comments about the website to webmaster@mounthopeumc.org
In honor of Mount Hope UMC's 90th anniversary, Donna Cote has written a short book describing the Church's history. This book, entitled, "90 Years To Grow On: A History of Mt. Hope United Methodist Church, 1914-2004," is available through the Church office (482-1549).
View a copy of the book. (file size: 1.36MB)
*Note: Your computer must have Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download) to view the copy of the book.
A Brief History of Mt. Hope UMC
In February of 1912, Mrs. Elizabeth Reasoner of Central Methodist Episcopal Church left a legacy of $1,353.00 to start a mission church somewhere in Lansing. A full lot and a half on the Northeast corner of Cedar and Mt. Hope was purchased, and a small frame building was built on the East end of the property, fronting on Mt. Hope Avenue. The building was dedicated on November 20, 1913. A Sunday school was organized, and John F. Bell was placed in charge. Dr. Jas T. LeGear, Pastor of Central Methodist Episcopal Church, conducted preaching services on Sunday afternoons following the Sunday school sessions. In October of 1914, William Bennison Benn, assistant pastor of Central Methodist Episcopal Church, was given direct charge of the Mt. Hope Mission.
By January 31, 1915 Rev. William B. Benn had gathered together 26 persons whom he received as charter members of the new church. At the Conference in September 1915, he was duly appointed pastor of Mt. Hope Methodist Episcopal Church. Two of the 26, John F. Bell and Mrs. J. Fred Deeg, were present at the 50th anniversary celebration, which was held November 20, 1963.
A larger building was soon necessary, and the present structure was started in April 1916. The cornerstone was laid on July 28, 1916. That building is the present sanctuary from the back of the choir loft, west to the pillars. The dedication took place on January 14, 1917. At that time, the original, small frame building was converted into a temporary parsonage. This house was later moved to the North side of our parking lot (517 Norman St.) and sold. After being used as a private residence for several decades, it was repurchased by Mount Hope in Fall, 2003.
A new, larger parsonage was built north of the church and dedicated June 23, 1923, and once again a larger church was needed. The addition from the pillars West to Cedar Street was constructed in 1926. The groundbreaking for the chapel, education, and office wing was on March 28, 1954, and this wing was dedicated on January 6, 1955. In June, 1961, a new parsonage was purchased at 2410 Hampden Drive, and the old one on Cedar Street was used as a youth house. Rev. Warren E. Brown and his wife, Rev. Helen Riggs Brown, had come to Mt. Hope Methodist Church in February 1951, and were the first couple to use the new parsonage on Hampden Drive. Membership had now reached 1,200, and property was purchased to the East on Mt. Hope and to the North on Cedar Street to Norman Road, to increase the parking area.
The most recent addition, which added an all-purpose room and new offices to the North end of the building, was dedicated on September 16, 1984.
Historical information provided by Charles Lawrence and Donna Cote
Please send comments about the website to webmaster@mounthopeumc.org