Our Story

Since the church was birthed in the heart of the first pastor in October of 1978, God has been active in growing this church and people into a community of believers.

Mount Hope Christian Center, formerly known as The Christian Center, began as a seed of faith in the heart of Reverend Harvey Meppelink and his wife Jean. They were appointed by the Assemblies of God and began the first Bible study and prayer group in their home in Lexington, Massachusetts. This young church grew and began meeting with worship services and Sunday School in the Masonic Temple near the Lexington Battle Green.

In December 1978, three months later, church growth required a move to Grey Nuns Provincial House in Lexington, MA. Approximately six months later, in July of 1979, The Christian Center once again moved. This time it would be for a brief stay in the Lexington Christian Academy building. With summer over and school days drawing near the church once again felt the burden to move.

So, after only two and a half months, The Christian Center found itself praying and searching for a home. The Lord orchestrated events for the church to lease and move into Monroe School, once again in Lexington. Here the church set up home and converted the building for worship and educational use. Three years later, after the moving dust settled, The Christian Center Elementary School was open to the community. After moving from the Monroe building, The Christian Center also met in the Franklin School building in Lexington for about one year.

After calling Lexington home for the past eight years, it was the deep desire of Pastor Meppelink and the congregation to see The Christian Center established in Lexington. Little did anyone realize the journey that was yet ahead. The Christian Center was rejected in Lexington. They were not able to pitch their tent and this led to a search that took them to the neighboring community of Burlington.

A building was found in Burlington the summer of 1985 a a school building, once known as the Meadowbrook School, that had been boarded up for many years. The people rolled up their sleeves and many spent this particular summer working at the school, day and night. In September of the same year, the Meadowbrook School in Burlington had been leased and converted for worship. This also became the home for The Christian Center Elementary School.

In February 1992, Rev. Robert and Pamela Crosby came from Ohio with their three children, to continue the work that had begun in Burlington. In the spring of the year 2000 the Christian Centers name was changed to Mount Hope Christian Center.

In January 2007, Rev. Rick and Wendy Picariello accepted the call, along with their son Isaac, to become the third Senior Pastor of Mount Hope Christian Center. Prior to his current position, Pastor Rick served on the staff of Mount Hope for six years as the Associate Pastor. The church continues to grow in spirit and in souls. Mount Hope counts its diversity as one of its greatest assests. There are approximately 25 different nations now represented in the church, and the sweet spirit that comes with embracing many cultures is evident throughout the life of Mount Hope.