Our History...

The beginnings of Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church go back to a WELS Western Wisconsin District Mission Board conference held in Madison, Wisconsin in the middle 1960's. A suggestion to start a mission in this area was made since the Chrysler Corporation had just completed their large assemble plant here.

On June 11, 1967 Rev. Roland Hillemann of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Beloit, Wisconsin conducted the first Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod exploratory service in Belvidere to determine the feasibility of starting a mission congregation. The service was held in the I.A.M. Machinists Union Hall at 402½ South State Street. Rent of the hall was $7.00 a Sunday. There was an attendance of 16. The attendance steadily increased, and by September the word exploratory was dropped from the announcements, with permission from the Mission Board.

The congregation was formally organized on January 7, 1968. Twelve voting members signed the Charter Membership list. The twelve members were: Donald Dahnke, John Meyer, Walter Wise, Ronald Prell, Larry Rands, Robert Nemec, Gayle A. Stelter, Francis Perryman, Howard Matteson, Dean Gunn, Ronald Scott, Charles Kissinger, and Gary Brown. (Dean Gunn and his wife are still members of the congregation.) A constitution was adopted and the name Hope was chosen as the name of this new mission. On April 4, 1968 additional members signed the charter: Gomer Negus, Phillip Oliver, Charles Leaich, and Don Oldenburg.

A full time pastor, Pastor Kenneth Gast, was called from the seminary graduating class in Mequon, Wisconsin. He was installed on July 7, 1968.

On November 25, 1969 ground was broken for a new Parsonage/Chapel. The bi-level structure was completed in the spring. It is located off By Pass 20 at 1651 Cedardale Drive on a 3-acre site. The pastor and his family lived in the upper level and the chapel was in the lower level with a seating capacity of 125 people. On April 26, 1970 services were held for the first time. The total cost was $66,000.00 for the land and the Parsonage/Chapel. The building was dedicated On June 14, 1970 by Pastor Norman Berg of the WELS Home Mission Board. He conducted the morning service. The afternoon service was conducted by Pastor Roland Hillemann who founded the congregation.

Ground was broken for the new church on September 7, 1975. The new structure was located at 501 Bellwood Drive, corner of Bellwood Drive and Cedardale Drive. The design of the church was contemporary and simple. The $150,000 church had 6,700 square feet of usable space on two levels plus a balcony. It was designed to keep everyone seated near the altar. The warm, rich earthy tones were soothing, and welcoming to all who entered. The altar was the focal point, rising skyward with straight lines and bright warm colors. The roofline inside went up 55 feet at the chancel well above the altar. The roofline extended 85 feet into the air, and was supported with wood laminated beams.

The church was dedicated November 14, 1976. Former Pastor Kenneth Gast was the guest speaker. Also helping was Pastor Carl Mischke, President of the Western Wisconsin District and first Vice President of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

The architect of the new church was Helmut Ajango of Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin (who also designed the Fireside Dinner Theater) and the general contractor was Cepek Construction Co. of Madison, Wisconsin. The architect described the new church in these words. "Hope Congregation says through its building that I am humble and built of humble material, that I am offering protection from the elements with my large protruding roof and pointing to heaven. It also says that I want to be simple and unconfused, to be without razzle-dazzle and clutter, and at the same time to be unafraid to speak out in saying that which I believe."

However, on Maundy Thursday of 2001, a heavy wind took the 85 ft high roof off the building and caused extensive damage. The remodeled structure now has a more traditional roofline with a steeple, and a new, bright, sun-lit, inviting sanctuary. The church is air-conditioned and has a complete audio system.

Pastors who have served Hope are:

• Pastor Roland Hillemann, 1967 to 1968
  
• Pastor Kenneth Gast, 1968 to 1972
  
• Pastor Orval Cullen, 1972 to 1978
  
• Pastor John Mattek, 1978 to 1983
  
• Pastor Paul Tullberg, 1983 to 1992
  
• Pastor Luther Wendland, 1992 to 2003
  
• Pastor Eugene DeVries, 2003 to 2006
  
• No resident pastor, 2006 to 2009
  
• Pastor Carl Henkel, February 2009 to present

We believe and teach that Jesus Christ is God’s own Son, who came into the world to be the Savior of all people, that through His sufferings, death, and resurrection, we might have forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

In keeping with our Lutheran heritage, we believe the Bible is the actual Word of the one true God. We believe that the Bible is completely true and the only authority for Christian faith and life. Its message is for all people of all time. It alone has the amazing power to bring people to faith in Jesus Christ and give them new life in Christ. Through His Word, God brings peace, unending love, and purpose for all.

An Invitation

We cordially invite you to worship God and search His Word with us. We want to share the message of God’s Word with you because of what Jesus means to us. Through His death and resurrection, we have eternal life, courage for daily living, and guidance in God-fearing living.

Our worship services focus on the grace of God delivered in Word and Sacrament. We serve God’s family of believers by sharing the message of God’s love and forgiveness in Christ Jesus through worship, Bible classes, Sunday school, and opportunities for Christian fellowship and service.

We look forward to growing in God’s Word and to reaching out with the Gospel message of Jesus’ love to those in our community.