In 2009 New Hope United Methodist Church celebrated 200 years of building on Jesus Christ, our solid foundation. The entire year was dedicated to the bi–centennial celebration as can be seen from the program.

The bi–centennial celebration began on 3 January 2009 with a short sermon from Pastor Bill Masciangelo. The Pastor spoke of the beginning of New Hope Church and what the country was like in 1809.

Imagine a 200 year old historic religious structure that is the oldest Methodist Church in Perquimans County. Imagine that this sacred place is still used for a sacred purpose and prayer still ascends to the very rafters as it did in 1809. New Hope United Methodist Church (UMC) is that structure. We are an active church devoted to serving the spiritual needs of the congregation and reaching out to the hurting around the corner and around the world.

The unpretentious white frame Federal–style church looks serene and beautiful as it sits amid green lawns. Old trees shade well–tended flower beds. Other features of the property include rows of trees along the west and south property lines, and a parking lot situated under lovely trees. To the east and west of the church is the tranquil park–like setting of the New Hope UMC Burial Garden. Burials have been made in New Hope UMC’s cemetery since the 1840s. The New Hope United Methodist Church Cemetery preserves the county’s few surviving grave houses.

The interior of the church like the exterior retains many of the original elements of the original design. Rather than an overwhelming space the church is warm, personal, and retains a human scale. A small narthex (vestibule) is entered from the main entrance doors. From the narthex the sanctuary is entered through two sets of paired solid wood interior doors.

The old church bell still rings each Sunday at New Hope. The old bell has been around for many historical events at the church and many ministers have listened to the bell tolling.

Come along with us and see how we spent 2009.