Origins of New Hope Lutheran Church

New Hope Lutheran Church is the 2002 consolidation of Holy Cross and St. Mark's Lutheran Churches.  The decision to consolidate the two congregations came after a Ministry Planning task Force had worked for almost a year.

The Holy Cross congregation was the older of the two at over 200 years old.  The building most recently used by the congregation was not the original structure.  The original building burned somewhere around 1900, and the exact location of the original building is unknown.

The St. Mark's congregation celebrated their 100^th anniversary in 1990.  The St. Mark's building was the original structure.  The interior layout was renovated and the fellowship hall was built in the 1950s.

St. Mark's and Holy Cross churches came together to form New Hope Lutheran Church at 12:01am on January 1, 2002.  The creation of New Hope Lutheran Church was approved by the Allegheny Synod Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on September 15, 2001. New Hope Lutheran church became a "legal" corporation in the eyes of the State at 12:01am on January 1, 2002.

On November 30, 2003, New Hope opened the doors to a brand new worship and education facility. With more than 270 people in attendance, New Hope ushered in a new era of opportunity for the congregation and the community. At just over 12,000 square feet (including the basement), and located on 5 acres of land, the worship space will seat 215 and the fellowship hall will seat almost 200. There are five Sunday School/Meeting Rooms, a Conference Room, and two offices.

The congregation intends for the facility to serve not only the needs of the congregation, but also serve as a resource to the entire community.Since the consolidation and move, New Hope is alive with community activity. Boy Scout Troop 381, sponsored by New Hope, meets weekly on Wednesday nights as boys ages 11-17 learn and grown into young men. In addition to Boy Scouts, New Hope now has the privilege of hosting Girl Scouts on Wednesday evenings. It brings great joy to the congregation to know that the lives of these young women are being shaped right here at New Hope. Along with serving as a meeting place, New Hope hosts piano recitals, banquets, family parties and fundraisers for those in need. These are all opportunities that occur for families and members of the community. This does not count the numerous ministries that happen with sponsorship of the congregation.

One community resident remarked that "there always seems to be something happening at (New Hope)." And indeed, there IS a lot happening at New Hope. From choirs to Scouts, from sewing groups to crafters, from concerts to Vacation Bible School, New Hope is alive with activity.

Even with all the present activity, the congregation is keeping an eye to the future. We firmly believe that we have a calling to live out our purpose in service to Christ and the community looking for new ministries and new opportunities to be faithful disciples. The people of New Hope continue to find new and meaningful ways to minister to the Penns Valley community. Whether it is through the Food Pantry, one of the clothing giveaways, our faith education opportunities or worship, as God's people we are striving to make god's love known to others.