Hope was started by a request to the ULCA from the Lutheran community in Wilmington, Delaware. The ULCA was the forerunner of the ELCA and the LCA.  Starting a mission in this manner was unusual.  Before this time, the Board of American Missions of the ULCA would say where a mission should be started. The Lutheran community of Wilmington believed that a church was needed to be developed in New Castle because the area was developing rather quickly. All the groundwork and research was completed before the ULCA was petitioned.

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At a meeting in June 1957, 18 adults expressed an interest in starting a new church in the New Castle area. By the end of June, that number had increased to 50 adults. On September 15, 1957 the first services were held in the old Shrine building on RT 13 (near Hares Corner). That building is no longer in existence. The initial attendance was 138. Then on October 20, 1957, the congregation voted to name the new mission church “Hope”.  There were several names in competition, but the name “Hope” edged the others in close voting. A petition requesting permission from the Board of American Missions of the ULCA to organize as an official congregation was presented to the prospective members on December 9, 1957.  Seventy-three (73) members signed the charter that day. The charter remained open for a period of time to allow others to sing and also allow them to come into the new church as charter members.

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During the winter of 1957-58, the Shrine building had serious heating problems. When there was no heat on Sunday, members of Hope would stand out on US 13 and signal our worshippers to the Toman’s Restaurant. Toman’s Restaurant was a short distance away and this building providing a warm place to worship on the cold days without heat. Emilie Toman was a member of Hope and she offered her restaurant as an alternative place of worship on those cold winter Sundays.

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On February 15, 1958, the first congregational meeting was held. This first meeting was held in the basement of the Wilmington Manor Methodist Church on RT 13. This is where the first constitution of the Hope congregation was adopted. The first members of the church council were also elected at this meeting. Beginning with this first council, both men and women have represented the congregation on council. While this first congregational meeting was in progress, a major snowstorm developed (almost a blizzard). No one at the meeting was aware of the storm until the meeting was over. Many of the members’ cars were vandalized during the meeting. In addition to the snowstorm, vandals had removed the gas caps from most of the members’ cars and thrown them away. 

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Also during the first congregational meeting, the congregation received the keys to the USAF Base Chapel to hold our services. With members bringing chairs and other furniture, the first service was held there on Ash Wednesday, February 19th. The members had to bring their own furniture because the Air Force had removed the pews and many parts of the heating system. With the help of Harry Adams, the heating system was repaired before the first service. This chapel was used for worship services until the first unit of the present Hope Church was completed. The last service held at the chapel was on August 29, 1965. Shortly after this, the Air Force demolished the building. All the buildings occupied by the Hope congregation prior to our current buildings have been demolished.