On February 3, 1864 Christian Union was organized at Columbus, Ohio by the joining together of persons from several denominations.  They had as a common belief the scriptures of the old and new testament “as the infallible, inspired and authoritative work of God.”

New Hope church in Madison county had its beginning in 1891, with the Rev. Wm. Hircock as minister.  At first, meetings were held in old Grant school, and on January 14, 1891, a meeting was called to organize a new community church.

J. A. Seiler served as acting secretary and Wood Callison, A. W. Hartsook and Fred Brownell were elected elders.  The history of New Hope church is closely associated with that of the pioneer farmers of Lincoln township.

Ord - New Hope  Methodist Church

Photo courtesy of Allen Family Collection

Persons attending the organizational meeting and speaking in favor of building a new church included:  W. B. Callison, Wm. Hartsook, John Macumber, P. M. Rhodes and W. W. Greer.  At the first meeting, Mr. Macumber donated an acre of ground, and a total of $562.50 was raised to finance the new building.  It was decided to build a church measuring 28 x 38 feet, with an arched ceiling 16 feet high.  The floor was to be inclined to the front.

As time passed, donations rose to $892.10, and Wm. Trabel volunteered to quarry and deliver necessary stone.

Although New Hope was remodeled in 1925 by adding a basement and classrooms, the present sanctuary is much the same as it was in 1891.  Of course, the kerosene lamps, pot bellied stoves and straight chairs have given way to electricity, and oil furnace and attached seats.

New Hope is often referred to as Ord church because of the Ord post office that was once located in the general store of that community.

The present pastor at New Hope is the Rev. L. J. Knouf.

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