One of Gilroy’s historic churches is officially moving to a new
home this weekend. New Hope Community Church, which has served the
South County since 1923, holds its grand opening service at 10:45
a.m. Sunday.
One of Gilroy’s historic churches is officially moving to a new home this weekend. New Hope Community Church, which has served the South County since 1923, holds its grand opening service at 10:45 a.m. Sunday.
South County residents are invited to attend this special event. The worship service will include an official dedication of the building, immediately followed by a reception, and guided tours of the new facility will be available for visitors.
New Hope has been part of Gilroy at several locations and under a number of different names since a few families, after attending a San Jose tent revival featuring Aimee Semple McPherson in 1921, began meeting at Gilroy’s Opera House on Fifth Street (across from the firehouse which has since become Station 55 Restaurant).
In 1923, the group officially became affiliated with the Assemblies of God denomination, continuing to meet first at the Ed Rohr Saloon and then the Hornlein Building, both on Monterey Street.
In 1927, the congregation built its first church at the corner of Sixth and Hanna streets where it has since added several other buildings.
As membership has steadily grown, the church has been forced to hold Sunday services the past few years at the Gilroy Senior Center across the street while Sunday School classes and offices remained on the church property.
New Hope has owned property for a new building for many years, but zoning issues have delayed construction plans. Steady membership growth has made a move inevitable, and rather than wait, the congregation has acquired a temporary facility which will be more than adequate for the next several years.
On Sept. 14, church members made a “pilgrimage caravan” to its new location: 8886 Muraoka St. (off Forest north of Welburn) in a new commercial area of the city. The 12,000-square-foot building will allow all activities to be under one roof, and ample parking is available on site.
The new structure was originally built as a warehouse, but architects and builders have fashioned it into a very comfortable and attractive worship/meeting/educational facility.
The air conditioned sanctuary features cushioned seats and a state-of-the-art sound system with a huge screen for Powerpoint presentations.
A large nursery is available for babies and toddlers, as well as a “nursing mothers’ room” where moms can stay while enjoying the service broadcast on closed circuit television. This room features a sofa, rocker and changing table.
The building has several classrooms, an auditorium for children’s church services, and 1,000 square feet of office space. There also is a full kitchen and plans call for a “coffee bar” area which will allow informal socializing after services.
The Rev. Malcolm MacPhail, Senior Pastor of New Hope Community Church, emphasizes his hopes for the new facility: “We just want to make available to the community a place where families can grow in their spiritual relationship, a place that’s comfortable and inviting.”
For more information about New Hope Community Church call 842-4857 or check the Internet at www.nhcc-gilroy.org.
Chuck Flagg teaches English at Mt. Madonna High School. Write him c/o The Dispatch, P.O. Box 22365, Gilroy, CA 95021.
