About Us

Commence replanting and strengthening of Hope Hub paid and volunteer ministry teams and activities, in line with our vision of ‘More people more like Jesus, in more places’. This started with commissioning a newly appointed Oversight Leadership Team (OLT) and launching training for Hope 4:14 Groups. 

The construction of the Hope Centre was completed. We held a prayer and commissioning service with local ministers in the town on Friday 27 May 2022, followed by our first service on Ascension Sunday 29 May 2022.

We took the bold step of standing down our existing leadership and ministry teams in order to lead the way in the essential replanting activities.  (Isaiah 43; 19 ‘See I am doing a new thing…”). A smaller interim leadership team was put in place for the remainder of 2021 and 2022.

Mark and Jo Jones are released to pioneer Hope Missional Community and ROC, an exciting new expression of Hope Church – Connected, organic and relational groups to bring the light of Jesus to the ‘unchurched’ for Kingdom multiplication.

Following prayer, prophetic words and consultation with Members,  we agree to the future renaming of Dawlish Christian Fellowship to Hope Church Dawlish, paving the way for naming the building  i.e. Hope Centre and Hope Café.

As Christians together in Dawlish we met to ‘cut the turf’ and the build work began.  John German and his team of local tradesmen got to work. A time lapse video shows the progress over the 3 years construction period.

After much prayer and waiting on the Lord a new vision is developed for “More people more like Jesus, in more places”, delivered through three expressions; Church Hub, MicroChurch (later to become 4:14 Groups) and Missional Communities, all with a focus on Discipleship, connection and Mission.

We met on Sunday mornings at Dawlish College and continued our Life Groups, schools work and youth groups until … Covid. Our church (and the world) make adjustments during Covid, including holding ‘Virtual’ church and moving more into digital. We became active in supporting the community in partnership with other local agencies.

We sold our building at Old Town Street, moved out but continued to meet as Dawlish Christian Fellowship, worshipping on a Sunday morning at St Agatha’s church.  We purchased the land near Sainsbury’s and our church office moved to the Black Swan Business Park. Fund raising began, immersed in prayer and the commitment of the building design team. This was a huge leap of faith for us but we knew God was with us.

Through several prophetic words and answers to prayer, the Leadership confirmed the need to go on a journey of faith, moving out of our current ministry environment and a call to build (physically and spiritually). 

DCF ministry and missional life grows, including thriving with young families and activities for all.  An assistant leader, youth leader and administrator are appointed.  Sunday mornings at Old Town Street stretch the capacity of our buildings   

Mark Jones takes on leadership of DCF full time and Richard retires after serving faithfully for many years

With much faith and after much prayer the fellowship decides to divide and purchase a set of buildings at Old Town Street and rename as Dawlish Christian Fellowship (DCF), under the leadership of Richard Mason. 

The first building was bought for £2,350 (Central Hall) as the church grew.  There was a lively Sunday school with Christmas parties, summer outings and Bible classes.  There were ‘Squashes’, where people would ‘squash’ into the living rooms of one of the Church members, and Saturday evening young peoples’ rallies.

The Fellowship began to meet in a small room in Regent Street, Dawlish.  The Partridge family were evacuated from their home during war time.  They moved to Dawlish and became active members of the Fellowship.  (The Partridge family are still members of Hope Church today)!

First gatherings started with a group of Open Brethren Christians.  Mr and Mrs Sercombe, from Aller Farm, hired the Shaftesbury Hall (now called the Shaftesbury Theatre) for their first meetings.