Hope Church History
At the turn of the century, which is into the Twentieth Century, there was a surge in Christian Education. Everywhere Christians were eager to hear and learn the Word. Chicago was no different. A bustling metropolis which had hosted the World's Fair about ten years before, was growing in every direction. Many ethics were building the west side of Chicago. They too sought Christian learning opportunities.
In the basement of a two flat building at 15th and Komensky, a Sunday School started. The people who began the School recognized that they needed an experienced teacher. The LORD blessed and Rev. George Erhardt was invited to help. The Sunday School grew and in 1908 the Blessed Hope Church was formed.
A few years later, an old Methodist Church at 4104 West Grenshaw was purchased by the fledgling congregation. Although that building was condemned, its bricks served as the foundation for the new building built by the Blessed Hope Church. Blessed Hope grew and prospered. Its mostly Bohemian congregation was part of a mighty work of God thr o ugh the decades of twenties, thirties, and forties. (About 5 miles north and west in the city, a Swedish Covenant Church was growing and building a magnificent structure at Iowa and Mayfield;)
During the Fifties, the winds of change began to blow around the Blessed Hope Church. The west side of Chicago became the new home to an increasing number of African Americans from deeper in the city and from the south. Some of these began worshipping at Hope Church. The Church voted to purchase land near LaGrange and build a new church there. When it came time for the church to move, some of the congregation petitioned the Denomination, the Advent Christian General Conference, for assistance in keeping the building on Grenshaw Street so that an Advent Christian Church would continue to exist in Chicago.
In 1959. the Church - was rechartered as Hope Community Church by 10 members with Rev. Wilsey McKnight as its new Pastor. Some of our current members who first visited Hope Church either in the 50's or early 60's include Bernadine Barnett, Jessie Carroll, Millie Carson, Arlena Geralds, Johnny Norwood, Florence Peterson, and Avalon Portee and family. With the LORD'S blessings, the Church grew under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Lee Welkley. When Reverend became Pastor the Church received 54 new members, 30 of those members were teens. Membership grew to about 180 members and the youth program touched the lives of almost 200 young people a year. Although a ministry annex was purchased across the street from the Church, space limited the Church's
ability to expand. The LORD led the Church to the Covenant Church on Iowa Street that desired to sell its building to a younger and culturally appropriate Church.
Beginning in 1975, Rev. Welkley led the Church into a phase where Hope Church was one Church with two sites of ministry. Rev. Lee Welkley was followed by Dr. Robert Price as an interim Pastor, Rev. Melvin Upchurch, and Rev. Eddie Carter. During Rev. Carter's pastorate, Hope Church decided to sell the Grenshaw building. The LORD continued to bless and lead Hope Church through the 90's. Following Rev. EddieCarter was Rev. Charles Cooper and Rev. Leonard Sharber as an Interim Pastor. Pastor Donald Clay led the Church into the 21st century.
December, 2004, 45 years after the recharter, the grace of God is still active, alive and effective at Hope Community Advent Christian Church. Led by Senior Pastor Steve M. Epting. The Church co-sponsors a Head Start Program, and boosts an active Youth Program. In addition there are a men's ministry, the women's fellowship, an emphasis on weekly Bible Studies, Prayer meetings, as well as choirs, ushers and other service groups. Hope Community Church sees a bright future following God's lead; the theme for the Church in 2005 is "Seeking The Lord On One Accord." Taken from Acts 2:1 which says "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. " Through this verse God continues to give vision to the people of Hope Church. We've come this far by faith, completing 45 years of experience and look forward to the growth that God will give the Church in the years to come.
