Hopewell
Constituted in  May, 1829

   Thechurch of Hopewell was constutued the 16th day of May, 1829. Benj. Fewel, Sr., Ann Fewel, Rachel Fewel, James Griffey, Sallie Griffey, Achilles Ford, Robert Pearch, Polly Pearcy, Archibald Cosby, James Ford and Malinda Marshall were the constituent members. The council called for the occasion met at the house of Robert Ford at the stated time, and recognized the above-named members with the usual ceremonies as a regular gospel church, after which the little band elected a Moderator and Clerk, and arranged for future meetings.

PASTORS

   Up to the early spring of 1831, the church had no pastor, but regulary kept up meetings. In March of that year, Jacob M. Cox (recently ordained) commenced pastoral duties, continuing fifteen years. He was succeeded by Elders Thomas Hill, Jr., nine years; W.Y. Monroe, seven years, and John Chambers, four years. During the first three years of the last pastorate, Zion as well as the entire community, mourned, the great Rebellion affecting almost every household; but on the return of peace, Elder Chambers was blessed in his labors, and many baptized the last year of his service. Since that time the church has had the pastoral labors of Elders G.D. Griffith, two years; John Chambers, four years; John E. McCoy, four years; W.Y.Monroe, three years; G.W. Thompson, three years, and has recently again called Brother McCoy.

DEACONS AND CLERKS

    Deacons.--Noah Merriman, John Lawler, Geo. Stribling, Osbourn Lawlwer, John Conway, Elias Abrams, James Wallace, Achilles Ford and David Watson.
   Clerks.--J.H. Fewel, Warner Ford, Levi Buchanan, P.G. Magness, Sylvester Roberts, J. Hawkersmith, Osbourn Lawler, J. Goldsborough, John Conway, G.W. Hensley, J.M. Wallace, W. Moncreif and T.J. Kinnear, whose Post-office address is Volgaa, Jefferson County, Ind.

 LICENSED AND ORDAINED
 
   Jefferson Goldsborough was licensed in 1844, and Jacob M. Cox who had been licensed at Mt, Pleasant, was ordained in 1830.

   BUILDINGS AND LOCATION

    The first house was of hewed logs, built in the spring of 1830, and occupied until the fall of 1848, when the present one was dedicated. This is a commodious stone building, located on the south side of Harbert's Creek, niles northwest from the city of Madison, on what is known as the "Deputy Gravel Road."

 GENERAL REMARKS

    Hopewell is centrally and pleasantly situated in a good farming community. The location is helathful, yet death has often visited them. The last of the constituent members, Deacon A. Ford died in 1879. Two other deacons, John Conway and James Wallace, had preceded him but a few years. In point of numbers, Hopewell is second in the Association, with a membership of 131.

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