In August of 1948 a summer Bible school was initiated in the Pine Grove area. The following year, September 18, 1949, the first Sunday school session was held at Pine Grove. Elias Zehr and family and Nicholas Gingerich served as early teachers. As attendance increased Andrew Moser, J. Leon Martin and Vernon Zehr served as early leaders. Leon Martin was the first ordained minister from 1952 to 1963. Vernon Zehr was ordained as minister in 1964 and retired in 1994. Nathan Zehr was ordained pastor in 1986 and retired in 2016. Todd Waugh was ordained in 2008 and is currently serving as pastor.
From the late 1940s until the early 1990s, the Pine Grove Mennonite Church met in the Watson area. The church held Sunday morning services, Bible studies as well as a summer Bible school program. The church then relocated to the end of the Van Amber Road in Castorland until 2019. The church officially changed its name from Pine Grove Mennonite Church to Living Hope Ministries in the fall of 2019. In 2020 the church purchased property in the Town of Watson at 6722 Kuntz Rd. For three summers the church met in a tent at the property and during winter months met at Abundant Life Community Church of Lowville. During this time a facility was built and on October 2, 2022 the first Sunday morning service was held in the new building.
Below are some photos of the building project for Living Hope Ministries on Kuntz Road, Glenfield.
View the video below to hear Nate Zehr tell the history of the Pine Grove Mennonite Church.
Living Hope Ministries 