History of HRC, our Church
 Rendition of the 1700's Hopewell Church as shown by an old church seal |  Dutch language Bible, believed to be the first Bible used at HRC.
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| Check out the history timeline of HRC dating back to the churches' founding to the present. This is a Work in Progress! As we find out more about HRC's history through talking with older parishioners, the Internet, the old consistory minutes, the Visitors, etc., we will make changes and additions as necessary. Click on any picture to zoom in, click on the browser's "back button" to zoom out.
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| This year, 2007, HRC is celebrating our 250th Anniversary. Our History Team has examined and translated old handwritten documents. Try your hand! Additional documents and information compiling HRC's history to 1992 can be found here. This includes a summary of the document handwritten by Dr. Oliver E. Cobb, a pastor of our church, almost 150 years ago. (See link above.) Perhaps of interest also is this web site showing the marriages performed at HRC from 1766 through 1882. | |
| In 1757, when these lands were still under the emblem of King George III, this Church was organized by a colony of 19 persons. The first structure, built in 1764, was torn down in 1833, and the present building replaced it.
This Church of Christ is part of the Reformed Church of America. It is a sister to the Presbyterian family of churches. It has an honorable history, stemming from the Protestant Reformation in the Netherlands. We are nourished by the Scriptures and seek the guidance of Christ's Spirit. We are in communion with the worldwide Christian Church. We are a community church. Many people in our congregation have their roots in other faiths. |
| 1757 | Hopewell Congregation organized |
| 1764 | First Church erected |
| 1771 | Vendre of pews; bell hung |
| 1826 | Becomes Single Pastorate |
| 1833 | Present building erected |
| 1834 | Vendre of box pews |
| 1841 | Nave walls built |
| 1844 | Horse Sheds erected |
| 1856 | Front Nave & lower rear of Church remodeled. |
| 1863 | Hopewell Cemetery Association organized |
| 1875 | Baptistery; new bell; present pews |
| 1904 | Pipe Organ installed |
| 1913 | Memorial windows |
| 1932 | Electric lights |
| 1940 | Church Hall erected |
| 1956-57 | Old Horse Sheds removed |
| 1960 | Church School building erected |
| 1963 | Sign welcoming worshipers erected |
| 1967 | Narthex new lights & carpeting |
| 1972 | Major organ repairs |
| 1973 | Mary Louise Miller, first woman seated to Consistory |
| 1977 | Plexiglas to cover stained glass windows |
| 1978 | Sanctuary, Narthex-new pew cushions, carpeting |
| 1980 | New choir loft |
| 1982 | Narthex new walls |
| 1982 | Clove Branch parking lot |
| 1982 | Landscaping, well & ramp |
| 1986 | Balcony seating & Church Steeple |
| 1990 | Front platform enlarged to accommodate larger choir |
| 1992 | Demolition of Fellowship Hall |
| 1992 | Construction of second floor of Sunday School Unit |
| 1993 | Croniser parking lot |
| 2000 | Praise Service added |
| 2001 | Sound equipment & screen in Sanctuary |
| 2001 | Landscaping, and sanctuary remodeled |