Hillspring
Church

Our History

In the early 1980s, Dan Hair was serving as pastor for the Lydia and Jordan Methodist churches. He noticed many families traveling from the New Prague area to attend services, though the distance kept most from officially joining. Seeing an opportunity, Pastor Hair reached out to the New Church Development of the United Methodist Conference. A 1983 survey confirmed what he had felt all along: New Prague needed a church family of its own.

On Sunday, November 20, 1983—Thanksgiving weekend—our very first worship service was held in the gym of New Prague Elementary School. Sixty people gathered that morning. Every Sunday, members arrived early to set up and stayed late to roll the piano and fold away chairs, which sat under basketball hoops that the older kids put to good use!

Throughout that unusually cold and snowy winter, retired Pastor Ralph Shoemaker braved the roads in his little red sports car, driving all the way from Coon Rapids to lead our services. His wife often came along to play the piano. By April 1984, our growing family included 30 adults, 11 teens, 27 children, and 11 youth in confirmation. We chose the name  Heritage United Methodist Church to honor the historical Methodist presence in New Prague.On May 13, 1984, Heritage was officially recognized with 28 charter members across 13 families, and Pastor Sharon Mills arrived as our first appointed pastor that July. Shortly after, we moved from the gym to a renovated storefront on Main Street, worshipping there from November 1984 through December 1988.

Building a Home on the Hill
By May 1987, Heritage purchased the 20-acre hilltop property where our church stands today. Architect David Chant drew up the building plans, and our dream was shared with neighboring churches. Through generous pledges, local fundraising, and matching grants from Metro East Builders, the vision took shape.

We broke ground on June 5, 1988, and construction began right after Labor Day. Heritage served as a pilot program for "Short Term Volunteers," and over 100 people gave their time, hands, and heart to the effort—truly acting as the hands and feet of Jesus. Members and volunteers worked alongside Stu Chant’s construction crew, coming for a day, a weekend, or even a full week of vacation. One church from Fairmont, Minnesota, even sent a busload of helpers for the day! Sunup to sundown, saws buzzed, hammers pounded, and volunteers were fueled by home-cooked meals. When the very first wall went up, it was greeted with happy tears and joyful cheers.

On Christmas Eve 1988, our congregation of 65 gathered in this sanctuary to celebrate the "sharing of a dream" and offer thanks for the incredible support that brought us home.

Growing, Changing, and Staying True to Our Calling
In 2015, as our congregation sought to remain firmly rooted in traditional biblical teachings, we began transitioning away from the United Methodist denomination, officially becoming Hillspring Church—an independent entity—in 2022.

Though our name changed, the warm, welcoming, family-friendly spirit of our church never did. To this day, we still take a "7-minute break" during Sunday services just to greet each other and welcome guests—and getting everyone back to their seats is
always a challenge!

Inspired by Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19 to "go and make disciples of all nations," reaching out to the New Prague community remains at the very heart of what we do. From men’s and women’s Bible studies to conceal-and-carry safety classes, a deliverance ministry, and outdoor concerts, we love opening our doors—and our land—to our neighbors.

Looking Back with Gratitude, Looking Ahead in Faith
Over more than four decades, God has guided Hillspring through eight wonderful pastors and the tireless dedication of countless volunteers. Members have poured endless love into this space—planting trees, tending flower gardens, keeping the vast lawn mowed (a special thanks to Matt!), and constantly updating and caring for our building.David Chant's early vision for an outdoor stage is now a vibrant reality, hosted on our grounds and built with collective energy and hard work. Soon, our brand-new sign will welcome everyone driving by on Highway 19.What began as a simple dream in 1983 has grown into far more than we could have ever imagined. God has richly blessed this church through every season, and we know He will continue to guide our church family for years to come as we worship Him, seek His guidance, and share the good news of His love and salvation.