On February 1, 1959 the first regular service of Mount Hope Methodist Church was held at the “barn,” later known as Pistakee Highlands Community Center.  A dedication service was held on April 12, 1959 with over 200 people celebrating “Charter Sunday.”  The charter had 34 signatures.  The Consecration Service for the church itself was held on October 1. 1961.  A year later, ten acres were purchased on Broadway Hill for the future church and parsonage.  Rev. Christian J. Doenecke promoted the idea of using some of the acreage for community activities—thus, the dedication of “Doenecke Field” in 1965 for baseball.  For years Doenecke Field was of great service to the Johnsburg community. Little League and Pigtail League teams had families gathering to cheer and socialize.  Finally, the township parks offered space for the leagues and in 2011, we formed a very successful Community Church Garden Project on those fields.

The 1960’s brought in the Women’s Society of Christian Service, later known as United Methodist Women.  In 1968 the Methodist Church joined with the Evangelical United Brethren Church, and we became known as Mount Hope United Methodist Church.  At that time, we became a three-point charge with Spring Grove and Ringwood.  We ended the 1960’s with a ten-year anniversary celebration in the original barn.

A remodeling of the sanctuary in 1971 resulted in increased seating from 40 to over 100.  That same year the debt on the land was paid off and a celebration was held.  The parsonage was built next to the church in 1979.  April 15, 1984 was a great day of celebration—our 25^th anniversary as well as the 200^th anniversary of Methodism in America.  We merged with Spring Grove United Methodist Church on June 30, 1986, worshiping in the Mount Hope Church.

In 2009 Mount Hope celebrated 50 years of ministry.  Bishop Jung from the Northern Illinois Conference presented the sermon on that same day.  That is also the year we joined with First United Methodist Church of McHenry in a co-operative ministry.

In 2014 an addition was completed to make us handicap accessible.  Our co-operative ministry with First United Methodist Church now includes Ringwood United Methodist Church.  We welcome the opportunity to work together and share our individual talents.