NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID
RG3067.AM: Hopewell Methodist Church (Sterling. Neb.)
Records: 1865-1967
Sterling, Johnson County, Neb.: Methodist Church
Size: 3 volumes on 1 reel of microfilm
BACKGROUND NOTE
In 1865 Mr. Carl Steinmeyer, a pioneer Methodist missionary, came to southeastern Nebraska and when he found three German families, founded the Hopewell Methodist Church near Sterling, Nebraska Territory. During the years from 1867 to 1883, the small congregation was connected with fellow Methodists in Humboldt but since that time has had a continuous growth as a self-supporting church. At first the members of the congregation met in homes and later in a school house near the site of the present church. The original church was rebuilt in 1903 and then was destroyed by fire in February of 1923. Plans were immediately started for a new building and the present structure was dedicated in December of 1923.
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
This material consists of 3 volumes on 1 reel of microfilm and is arranged in the following series: 1) Historical Information; 2) Baptisms, 1867-1967; 3) Marriages, 1883-1959; 4) Membership, 1865-1967; 5) Pastors, 1865-1967; 6) District Superintendents, 1883-1910; 7) Hopewell Church Officials; 8) Minutes, First Board Meeting, 1883; and 9) Pastoral and Statistical Record, 1895-1918.
These records relate to the organization of the Hopewell Church with particular emphasis on baptisms, marriages and other similar congregational activities. Some of the entries are in German. The membership list was compiled by Mr. Oscar Werner, Lincoln, from the church records. These materials were loaned for microfilming in June of 1967.
DESCRIPTION
Series 1 – Historical Information
Includes: An historical sketch of the church
Clippings regarding Hopewell’s Centennial Celebration, September 1966
Program, 100th Anniversary, September 1966
Poem, “Hopewell” by William A. Beuhler
Series 2 – Baptisms, 1867-1967
Book 1, 1867-1883, pp. 110-113
Book 1, 1867-1883, pp. 100-109
Book 2, 1894-1924, 6 p. (book lacks pagination)
Book 3, 1925-1967, pp. 4-17
Series 3 – Marriages, 1883-1959
Book 1, 1883-1894, pp. 40-41
Book 2, 1895-1925, 4 p.
Book 3, 1925-1959, pp. 176-179, 192
Series 4 – Membership, 1865-1967
Typed list prepared by Mr. Oscar Werner, Lincoln
Series 5 – Pastors, 1865-1967
Pastors, 1865-1967
Series 6 – District Superintendents, 1883-1910
Book 1, p.82
Series 7 – Hopewell Church Officials
Book 1, pp. 50-52
Series 8 – Minutes, First Board Meeting, 1883
Book 1, pp. 150-151
Series 9 – Pastoral and Statistical Records, 1895-1918
Book 2
ADDED ENTRIES:
Germans in Nebraska
Hopewell Methodist Church (Sterling. Neb.)
Johnson County (Neb.) — Churches
Methodist Church in Nebraska
Sterling (Neb.) — Churches
Revised 02-25-2009 TMM
