Our History

The Evangelical Methodist Church of Youngstown, now Hope Evangelical Methodist Church, first began in 1952. The congregation approved the prefix “Hope” for evangelistic purposes in December of 1965. The original building, and the lot it sat upon, then situated in front of the cemetery, was purchased from the Methodist Episcopal Pittsburgh Conference after sitting empty for many years. The now abandoned cemetery was not part of the purchase agreement and remained under Methodist Episcopal ownership until their dissolution. The cemetery presently relies on volunteers to maintain it. 

Our church was first pastored by George Kelly, Jr., who served from 1952-1955 until being called to Rector, Arkansas to plant another church. Richard Lear then pastored from 1955-1959. It was during his ministry that the adjacent house and lot were purchased to originally house the Sunday school ministry. Harry Pletcher took the pastorate from 1959-1961. During his ministry an addition was added to the house to accommodate the growth of the Sunday school. Dr. Donald Dibble then pastored from 1961-1964. The pulpit was filled for the remainder of 1964 until Dr. William W. Breckbill, Jr. was appointed interim pastor in 1965. Wayne Rhodes, Sr. served as pastor from 1968-1980. In 1980, supply pastors filled the pulpit until Stephen Furches became pastor in 1981, serving the church for 20 years. Pastor Furches led the congregation in building the present building, dedicated in 1984. In 2001, Dr. Wayne Rhodes, Jr. took up the pastorate, serving for 19 years. In 2020, the church called Dr. William Lueke, Jr. who serves at present.