Angels of Hope MCC. is an opening and affirming church for all who seek a closer relationship with God.

Angels of Hope (AoH) began in 1986, after some people in Green Bay heard about Metropolitan Community Churches and attended a Regional Conference in Ohio. Afterward, it was decided that a local congregation and New Hope MCC, Milwaukee (now Milwaukee MCC) would be sponsored by Good Shepherd Parish. The first worship service of Angel of Hope MCC was held on November 30th, in a place not unusual to MCC’s of the time, a bar (Napalese Lounge) on Broadway Avenue. 28 people attended the first service.

In those days, the emerging AIDS epidemic was on everyone’s mind, and many members and friends had been diagnosed with HIV. In somewhat of an appropriate partnership, AoH moved its services to the conference room of Center Project, Inc. (now the Green Bay office of AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin). AoH hosted several annual Vigils of Remembrance to honor those who had died. These were held at the AoH location and also at other area churches.

Rev. David Callentine was AoH’s first pastor. Then Rev. Hal Hasse stepped in temporarily before Thomas J. Schuh was appointed the Pastoral Leader for several years, until the arrival of Rev. Ken Hull in 1995. By that time, the meeting rooms at CPI had been taken over by more office space. So, after a short time at the chapel of Union Congregational Church, AoH rented space at an area hotel for Sunday services. In 1996, AoH moved to a storefront location on Forest Street in Green Bay. And in 1997, AoH moved to its current location at 3607 Libal Street in Allouez. During this time, we made the change of our name to Angels of Hope MCC, to acknowledge and honor those no longer with us, who had brought us to where we were.

Also in 1997, AoH began an evening service in Appleton. The first location was on Locust Street, then Richmond Street, then the chapel of the 1st Congregational UCC, 724 E. South River Street.

In 2002, Rev. Elaine Thomas joined Angels of Hope to eventually succeed Rev. Hull as pastor in 2003, until she stepped down in 2007. Rev. Dr. Gail Simonds is presently the Intentional Interim Pastor.

In the past 23 years, AoH has met in bars, businesses, barns, churches- both indoors & out. AoH has participated in weddings, funerals, vigils and Pride events. Members have met at sunrise and midnight, morning and evening. AoH’s most recent plans are to hold some ‘conversations’ at Harmony Cafe’ in Appleton, beginning Sunday, July 19, 2009. Anyone and everyone is invited to join their journey!