History
Eagle Mills UMC and Memorial UMC merged in 1997 to become Hope United Methodist Church. Hope is located on the corner of Route 2 and Garfield Road in the hamlet of Eagle Mills, east of Troy.
Memorial's first minister in 1886-1888 was Thomas Munro. The Memorial Church grew from the roots of a Sunday School that was organized in the summer of 1860 in the Susenbury Schoolhouse, an old red brick building located on what is now the baseball area of Frear Park. This was known as the Brunswick Union Sunday School and served all the people of the community without regard to denomination. In the early days of the 1860's the primary activity was Sunday School held Sunday afternoons. As early as 1872-75, there was interest among members of the Dusenbury Sunday School in building a Methodist Church. With support of families the chapel was erected. Then a Methodist house of worship was built. The cornerstone for the Memorial Chapel of the Methodist Episcopal Church was laid June 3, 1886. On November 19, 1889, the three-year old church building was destroyed by fire. Within eight months a new buidling was dedicated July 20, 1890 at a cost of $8,670.00. The Aid Society had paid for three year's insurance. By 1930, there was a church school enrollment of more than 200. A building fund drive was launched and on Sunday, November 1, 1931, a ground breaking and site consecration service was held. The building was completed in the summer of 1932 at a cost of $65,000.00. A challenge in the face of a deepening depression! Sunday Services were broadcast live from Memorial on WABY radio. The final service in the Old White church was held September 22, 1963 and on Wednesday, October 2, 1963 the Old White Church came down. In 1963 a "Time Capsule" was sealed with articles from 1886 and 1889 and laid in the cornerstone. As we move forward let us remember our wonderful heritage.
Eagle Mills' first minister in 1849-1850 was John Graves. On April 2, 1849, the male members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Society of Millville met and elected trustees. On April 28, they voted to build a church 35 feet by 45 feet with a basement. The cost was not to exceed $1,400.00. The church building was dedicated January 15, 1850. Thus, the Millville Methodist Church began. The church building faced north on what is now Rt. 2 and had a lecture room and vestry room on the first floor and a sanctuary on the second floor. Men sat on one side, women on the other, and the choir was in the rear. It stayed this way until 1902. In 1902 the congregation unanimously voted to sell the church building and build a new one. The new sanctuary had a metal ceiling and walls and seated 150 people. The first parsonage was a shared one with Center Brunswick with whom we shared a minister. In 1892 a small piece of land adjacent to the church was purchased and a new parsonage was built. This remained the parsonage until 1985. The house is still in use as a private residence. In 1955 the Eagle Mills church acquired the Darrow property across the road. The house was soon named the "Wesley House". This house was moved toward the southwest parcel of the 26 acres. A new parsonage was bought on Shyne Road. The old church was torn down. The new and present building was erected and dedicated in 1973. The church was no longer written as Millville in 1879. And this was the last year that the MALE members met to have a meeting and elect trustees. The first woman trustee was not elected until 1962! In 1916 the pastor's salary was $625.00. Fund raising was a very big part of the church and social climate of the village. A clamsteam in 1912 might have cost you $2.00! A chicken dinner would cost you $.75! The Epworth League started in 1895 for younger persons. The youths performed plays while raising money for the church. A continuing tradition since 1931 is Christmas Caroling through the village and to our home-bound members.
In 1999, Hope celebrated 150 years of Methodism. In the spirit of John Wesley, we continue to strive to spread the love of God in Jesus Christ and scriptural holiness throughout our community. In worship, in service and in Christian community, Methodism remains vital and strong at Hope United Methodist Church.