Hopewell Methodist Church (Sterling. Neb.) [RG3067.AM]

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

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