Established May 17, 1982

The beginning of Hope Lutheran Church was in 1980 when a large group left Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) in Azle, Texas. Of this group six families; Russ and Betty Fellers, Arnold and Margo Luedke, Bob and Barbara Claussen, Jerry and Ann Scotton, Don and Shirley Propp, Bob and Mollie White; decided to establish a mission church in the area. This group first met at Betty Feller’s Merle Norman shop in Azle using the name Azle Lutheran Ministries. Pastor Richard Winkleman encouraged this plan and offered Sunday night services there for many months. The congregation then moved to Azle’s Community Center on S. Stewart St. and from there to an empty office in the Azle Professional Center.

The Missouri Synod refused to help form another congregation so close to Good Shepherd. They approached other synods with no success. Unwilling to give up they decided that the only way to get acceptance by one of the established Lutheran synods was to build their own church. These six families donated $10,000 and purchased an acre on Hwy 199 between Azle and Springtown. With a loan from the bank, a small building was bought and located on the property.

In Oct. 1981, the American Lutheran Church recognized this group as a mission church with the name “Hope”. Many supply ministers conducted services every Sunday until Pastor Maynard Moen was sent to be the first minister at Hope.

In 1987 Rev. Winston Hold was sent by the synod bishop with the instructions to close this small congregation. He created a schism in the church and left shortly afterward. In 1989 Pastor Franz Schemmel was sent with the same instructions “Get rid of this group of troublemakers.” But this did not happen. Pastor Schemmel turned the situation around. He found a group that was truly inspired by the Holy Spirit and brought new growth to Hope.

By 1990 the congregation had out grown the original building and added a kitchen, bathrooms, and classrooms. But this was still not enough room. With Pastor Schemmel’s encouragement, the congregation began looking for more land.

Twenty-one acres were found across Hwy 199 and plans began to purchase this Property and build a larger building with room for a school. With a lot of determination and hard work, this dream was realized when the present structure was dedicated on Oct. 1, 1995. The school was established a year later.

Pastor Schemmel was called to another congregation in 1997. Pastor Bernard Kern served as Interim Pastor. Pastor Ronnie Hildahl served from 1998 to 2001. Pastor Deb Schultze served from 2002 to 2003. Pastor Bernard Kern again served as Interim Pastor from 2003 to 2005. Pastor Brad Carroll served from 2006 to 2007. In late 2007 we called Pastor Kathleen Brennan to be our new pastor.

In some ways the dreams of Hope Lutheran Church have just begun. We pray that God will continue to bless Hope as we continue to make Jesus Christ known in this community.

~The people of Hope Lutheran Church (2008).