In the summer of 1953 a group of Missouri-Synod Lutherans, led by Rev. Arthur O. Kaul, Missionary-at-Large for the Southern Illinois District, gathered for the Divine Service in a tent situated on a vacant lot on the corner of Jefferson and Exchange Streets in Jerseyville, IL. From these humble beginnings, God has grown Hope Lutheran congregation from a dozen members to over 250 members.
Rev. Kaul served the congregation from 1953 until 1957. During these years, the congregation moved from its tent in a parking lot to temporary quarters on the second floor of Chapman Hall on West Pearl Street. In the fall of 1954 a small A-frame church was completed on the same lot where members had worshipped in a tent the summer before.
In the middle of 1958, Rev. Albert Schroeder became Hope’s first called pastor, a call he had until 1962. In 1963, the congregation, called Rev. Arthur A. Ledebuhr. During Ledebuhr’s pastorate, the congregation, having been subsidized by the district’s Mission Board for 15 years, was blessed by the Lord with enough resources to be able to discontinue this assistance. During the pastorate of Rev. William Hessler, the congregation realized she had outgrown her small church and bagan exploring possibilities for expansion. Six years later in 1986, during the pastorate of Rev. David Wilshek, Hope Lutheran Church purchased the former State Street Baptist Church and sold her church to the Baptists.
Since then, Hope celebrated her 40th anniversary in 1993 while Rev. Mark Etter was the pastor. In May 1995, Peter Kirby, a former Field Worker at Hope was ordained at Hope and commissioned as a missionary to Jamaica. After Pastor Etter, Hope called Rev. Steven Schumacher to be her pastor in 1995. During Pastor Schumacher’s tenure until 2000, Hope saw many exciting renovations to the Bible Class rooms and offices. In 2001, the Lord called Rev. Leslie Mitkos as Hope’s pastor. In 2003, Hope celebrated her 50th anniversary, rejoicing that the Lord has continued to sustain His church with His gifts. Pastor Mitkos served until he retired in 2007. Hope is currently served by Rev. Jeffrey Hemmer.