§ The Hope Chapel was originally known as the Hope United Methodist Church of Disco, Michigan. It was located on the west side of Van Dyke north of 24 Mile Road. The Hamlet of Disco was platted in 1849. In 1850 the Disco Academy was built on the southwest corner of Van Dyke and 24 Mile Road.

§ Preserving the historic buildings that exist in our Township has always been a top priority of the Shelby Township Historical Committee. In August of 1997, the Committee learned that The Hope United Methodist Church members decided to build a new church. The Historical Committee recognized the significance of the old building and wanted to preserve it if possible. The Church agreed to donate the building to Shelby Township if it could be moved off their property located near 24 Mile Road and Van Dyke.

§ Our Township officials, Historical Committee members and volunteers went to work to devise a plan to save the historic 1890 building. Thanks to the support of Township officials and others who donated time, money and effort, the building was finally moved to the Township grounds in June of 2001.

§ Moving the building to its new location was only the first step of many in the process of restoring this structure. The goal of the Township was to restore the building's appearance to the period of about 1900. However, the entire structure had to be updated to the latest building codes. The building was strengthened where needed. The roof and steeple were repaired. Electrical, heating and plumbing were updated. New restrooms were added to the rear of the building.

§ When the restoration was completed, the building became an activity center for the community. It is currently available for use as a rented chapel for weddings or other suitable social events. The building, now renamed The Hope Chapel, will continue to serve our community for years to come.

1890, The congregation of The Methodist Protestant Church continued to grow and the upper floor of the Disco Academy was not large enough to contain the flock. The church appointed a building committee and on September 13, construction started on a new church building at a cost of $1,300. The land, later known as the Metz farm. was donated by Mrs. Flora Keeler. Flora's parents were Mr. And Mrs. S. Preston of Prestonville. Pastor Wilber S. Ostrander of the Disco Methodist Protestant Church formally dedicated the new church building on December 20, 1890.

1921, Electricity was installed. The electrical lines in the Utica-Disco area were installed in the early 1900s and operated by a number of small electrical companies. In 1916 the small electrical companies were consolidated with the Edison Illuminating Company. It took five more years before the church was wired.

1927, The building was raised and re-positioned on a basement. A new coal furnace was added to heat the building. Previously, a pot bellied stove, placed at the front of the church where the organ used to sit, was used to heat the building. The new basement was used for Sunday school classes and social meetings.

1962, A new 15 x 28 foot addition was added to the back of the church. The addition consisted of an all purpose room for social affairs or Sunday school, and rest rooms. Church members had used outdoor facilities until this time.

1979, The name of the church was changed from the Disco Methodist Protestant Church to Hope United Methodist Church. By this time the word "disco" had taken on a new meaning and most people in the area were not aware that the Village of Disco existed here and was the reason for the church's name.

1980, The old house that sat on the south side of the church was demolished for more parking spaces. The house was probably first used as a parsonage around 1895 after it was purchased from the Keeler/Cameron family. When Rev. Simpson (1969-1973) was appointed to the Disco Church, he would not take the appointment unless the church supplied better living accommodations for him and his family, so the present parsonage was purchased.

.