Annual Homecomings
After the church closed in 1915, every year ahomecoming was held on the last Sunday in August. The 1958 homecoming marked the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Hopewell, and was the last year of the annual homecoming (until it was revived in 1966). According to Miss Zella McDill in the September 6, 1923 issue of The United Presbyterian, the first Hopewell Homecoming was inspired by Rev. E.A. Dowey, pastor of Morning Sun. The Morning Sun church was temporarily closing for repairs, so the congregation decided to hold its final Sabbath meeting at Hopewell, along with members of the other daughter churches.
After the church closed in 1915, every year ahomecoming was held on the last Sunday in August. The 1958 homecoming marked the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Hopewell, and was the last year of the annual homecoming (until it was revived in 1966). According to Miss Zella McDill in the September 6, 1923 issue of The United Presbyterian, the first Hopewell Homecoming was inspired by Rev. E.A. Dowey, pastor of Morning Sun. The Morning Sun church was temporarily closing for repairs, so the congregation decided to hold its final Sabbath meeting at Hopewell, along with members of the other daughter churches.
"Thus it came about that on Sabbath, August 26, the mother church welcomed four hundred or more of her children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren, together with friends. They came for an all-day service, as did their fathers, bringing their noonday lunches, which they ate in a quiet way, for it was the Sabbath day. They made the walls of the old church ring as they sang the dear old Psalms, and they had one Psalm "lined out" by Rev. J.R. Edwards, of Oxford. They made a happy choice in selecting Dr. Frank Boyd, of College Corner, to preside over the meeting."
For more of Miss McDill's description, see the History Collection of Historic Hopewell Church.
1916
Hopewell was cared for by custodians selected by the trustees. At the final meeting before Hopewell disbanded, on February 26, 1916, Mrs S.H. Farr and Miss Anna Buck were appointed as additional custodians; J.M. Paxton was to act as one of the custodians as well, but it was moved and carried that the number of custodians be confined to the 4 already elected. These members looked after the church to keep it safe from vandals while it sat empty.
Hopewell was cared for by custodians selected by the trustees. At the final meeting before Hopewell disbanded, on February 26, 1916, Mrs S.H. Farr and Miss Anna Buck were appointed as additional custodians; J.M. Paxton was to act as one of the custodians as well, but it was moved and carried that the number of custodians be confined to the 4 already elected. These members looked after the church to keep it safe from vandals while it sat empty.
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1950
H.H. Ramsey's 1950 poem "Hopewell" described the church's storied presence in the community. 1952
Reverend Paxton died on April 1, 1952 at the age of 95, and he is buried at Hopewell Cemetery. 1958
The 150th anniversary of Hopewell was celebrated at the annual homecoming. No homecomings were held in the following 8 years. |
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1961
Hopewell was deemed unsafe for the public in 1961 after a state building inspection. The inspector found that it needed to be re-plastered, the floors repaired, and light, heat, and toilet facilities be installed. Heat and lighting costs could be avoided if the church was used only in summer. The original beams from 1814 were in place and pews in good condition, but with no guttering the foundation may have been damaged. Repair costs were estimated to range from $10,000-$15,000. To prevent the building from being torn down, ownership was transferred from the national group to the Miami Presbytery. |
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