In "The Minister's Black Veil," what does the congregation's attitude toward Hooper seem to have been before the appearance of the veil?

You are right in pointing towards the massive
transformation that occurs in Mr. Hooper after he dons his black veil, both in terms of
his appearance and what others make of him. However, to consider how he was viewed
before he decides to go through this change, you need to look towards the beginning of
the story, where the narrator clearly outlines his standing in the community where he
ministers:

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Mr. Hooper had the reputation of a good
preacher, but not an energetic one: He strove to win his people heavenward, by mild
persuasive influences, rather than to drive them thither, by the thunders of the
Word.

Thus we can see that
although Mr. Hooper had a good reputation, he was not famed for the power and vivacity
of his preaching, but rather known for his mildness and gentleness. Of course, the black
veil changes radically his position in the community and the effectiveness of his job as
a minister, as people come to identify their own fallen nature in his black
veil.