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The Church of the Brethren in
Northeastern Ohio
Edger G. Diehm
The Church of the Brethren in
Northeastern Ohio
The Springhouse on Henry Kurtz's Farm, Poland, Ohio
D559
The Church of the Brethren in
Northeastern Ohio
Edgar G. Diehm, Editor
289.1
Printed for
The District of Northeastern Ohio by
THE BRETHREN PRESS Elgin, Illinois
1963 a. 1006
Published by authorization of the district conference of the Church of the Brethren of Northeastern Ohio
Members of the Historical Committee
Milton M. Taylor, chairman
Edna Disler, secretary
George S. Strausbaugh, treasurer
Wilmer A. Petry
Elmer I. Brumbaugh
Clair O. Throne
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Dedicated
to all those who have by their faith, sacrifices, and services contributed to the establishment and the development of the Church of the Breth- ren in Northeastern Ohio and helped to make the history which is herein recorded
From the library of
Adelle Frank.com
INTRODUCTION
This book is a carefully edited report of many fascinating facts. Flourishing congregations take shape in the reader's mind. Active servants of the church move across the pages, trailing data about their families, their varied efforts, and their ministries. This detailed picture, valuable to set the record straight for everyone, is even more to be cherished by those of longer view as the basis of nostalgia and grateful reminiscence. The book deserves frequent reference for these purposes.
One should read it also with a lively imagination, seeing much between the lines. One should see Ohio as an early frontier state with wave after wave of migration moving into and across it. The early Brethren were among those clearing new farms in the forest and centering their community life in the plain country meetinghouse. One should see the rise of industrial cities and of commerce. These pages indicate that the Brethren also "went to town," facing new perils and opportunities while keeping their church life intact and growing.
One should detect ground swells of new interests within the church. Publications, revival meetings, college training, Bible study, and missionary outreach are all reflected here. The change from farmer-preacher leadership to the pastoral ministry with attendant profit and loss is overwhelmingly clear. The biographical section impresses one with high mobility and short tenure on the one hand. On the other hand one can also detect stalwart perennials who have served as anchors of the congregational and district programs. There blow across the pages of this book the breezes of refreshing renewal and echoes of the Spirit's call to far-ranging service.
Putting together what the book says with what the reader brings to it makes melody. Thoreau was right: "A book is the plectrum by which our else silent lyres are struck."
- William M. Beahm Bridgewater, Virginia
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PREFACE
In 1914, A History of the Church of the Brethren: North- eastern Ohio was published. This history contains interesting and valuable information concerning the churches and the work of the district to that date. There is no doubt that this history has been a source of information, interest, and inspiration. It has served the district well. Several years ago sentiment de- veloped for a new history.
The joint board of the district elected a historical committee in 1942. The members of the committee were M. M. Taylor, J. C. Inman, and Martin Krieger. In July 1946, G. S. Strausbaugh was elected to replace Martin Krieger, who had moved from the district.
The district conference of 1947 authorized the joint board to appoint a historical committee to "gather data and facts of interest, from the time of the origin of the churches in the district to the present time" and "to look forward to the publishing of a District History of the Church of the Brethren in Northeastern Ohio." It was only natural for the joint board to continue the committee that was already functioning. When Brother Inman moved from the district, Edna Disler was named to fill the resulting vacancy.
This committee asked each church to supply the informa- tion needed. By means of a questionnaire to each congregation, the data for the congregational histories was obtained. It was only through the commendable cooperation of the churches and many individuals that the information which the committee compiled was secured.
In 1952 the district conference granted the request from the historical committee "that this district meeting appoint a committee to edit and publish a history by 1954, which will mark one hundred and fifty years of the Church of the Brethren in Northeastern Ohio." The conference authorized the then-existing historical committee, in cooperation with the joint board, to name a new committee to edit the proposed volume and determine a method of financing it. The joint
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10
PREFACE
board named Elmer I. Brumbaugh, district moderator for 1953; Wilmer Petry, chairman of the ministerial board; and Clair Throne, secretary of the joint board, to work with the historical committee to secure an editor and make arrange- ments for publication of the history. The committee asked Edgar G. Diehm, conference clerk, to serve as editor and G. S. Strausbaugh to be a counselor to the editor. District conference later instructed the editor to have the history ready for distribution in 1963.
Since it would have been difficult to update the history of 1914 by appending data from that year, the general plan was to rewrite the story of the earlier period and combine it with new material. However, for material relative to the years prior to 1914 the committee found the previous history very helpful.
This history is presented in the hope which was expressed by the committee in the questionnaire to the churches: "Certainly the biographical sketches of all the ministers, together with the founding and growth of the churches in Northeastern Ohio, will be of great value."
It is the prayer of the editor that he may present the priceless heritage in a manner that will inspire those who read the history to a greater loyalty to the church and greater service in the Kingdom of God.
- Edgar G. Diehm Youngstown, Ohio
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part One: Congregational Histories
13
Akron Eastwood
15
Akron First
22
Akron Springfield 25
Alliance
30
Ashland Dickey
36
Ashland First
41
Baltic
47
Bethel
49
Black River
54
Bristolville
57
Brookpark
61
Canton First
63
Canton Maple Avenue
69
Center
71
Chippewa
75
Cleveland First
80
Danville (North Bend)
82
East Chippewa
85
East Nimishillen
88
Eden
92
Freeburg
97
Hartville
101
Kent
105
Lake Breeze
110
Mansfield
112
Maple Grove
115
Mohican
119
Mount Pleasant
122
New Philadelphia
126
Olivet
128
Owl Creek
135
Painesville
139
Paradise
140
Reading
143
Richland
146
Sugarcreek
149
White Cottage
152
Woodworth
156
Wooster
163
Zion Hill
164
Mount Zion
169
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part Two: District Developments 173
Introduction
175
The District Meeting 175
The District Executive Secretary 179
The Home Mission Board 181
The Ministerial Board 183
The Board of Christian Education
184
Brethren Service
186
Camp Zion
190
West View Manor
196
The Women's Fellowship
200
The Men's Fellowship
202
The Youth Fellowship 206
207
Publications and Education
214
District Meetings
217
Annual Meetings in Northeastern Ohio
221
Calendar Development
222
District Organization 228
District Budget, 1962-1963 231
Ministers of Northeastern Ohio 232
Two Districts Become One
233
Part Three: Biographies 235
Acknowledgments
379
Index
381
Worldwide Missions
PART ONE Congregational Histories
THE AKRON EASTWOOD CHURCH
The history of the Eastwood Church of the Brethren is the story of the growth and the development of a new church in a churchless community.
Medford D. Neher, a minister, with his wife and family, moved into this community in March 1927. As they became better acquainted with the people, they saw the great need of definite, organized Christian influence in this locality. Making this need a matter of prayer, they took the problem to their pastor at the city church, D. H. Keller, and his wife. It was decided almost at once to survey the community in regard to the establishment of a Sunday school. In the latter part of June 1927, the survey was made; it revealed the fact that about seventy-five percent of the community favored the starting of a school.
Before the first Sunday-school meeting was held, Sister Keller issued a call to the women of the community. As a result, the ladies' aid was organized on July 1, 1927, eight women responding to this call. Growing in numbers and usefulness, this aid society has continued in splendid uninter- rupted Christian service to this day.
Sunday evening, July 10, 1927, at Brother Neher's home on Cooledge Avenue, the first Sunday school convened with fifty-three in attendance. Classes were held in rooms in the house and in automobiles. This session was followed immedi- ately by a preaching service, Sister Keller using an icebox for a pulpit. The people sat on boards, cement blocks, car cushions, and a few scattered chairs. These services continued to be held in the yard all during the summer of 1927; not once did it rain at that period of the day - and it was not a dry summer.
Within the first month the Coburn Street church caught the vision. It raised $853.36 on July 24, 1927, looking toward a permanent church home. Services continued in the Neher home until about Christmas, when Henry Styers and Brother Neher, acting as a committee, located the present site and the money raised was paid on the lots and the house. The first Sunday school was held at the new location on Christmas
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PART ONE: CONGREGATIONAL HISTORIES
Day, 1927. The Akron church voluntarily raised and paid thirty-five dollars to the Nehers to help to repair damages incident to the services held in their home.
During the first two years the average Sunday-school attendance was one hundred; the high point was reached when one hundred fifty were present at a Christian workers meeting in the little twenty-two- by twenty-four-foot building under the leadership of Sister Elizabeth McCune.
In January 1928 an impressive dedication service was held with one hundred twenty-three present. So promising was the response that developments followed in quick succession. In February 1929, Trustees Ernest Bittinger and Landis Shoop, with Abe Conley representing the community, met with the trustees of the Akron church to plead for more room. Almost immediately the mother church responded with money and workers to put up an addition doubling the size of the original room. Just fifteen hours before the 1929 pre-Easter revival was to begin, the new addition was completed.
The interest grew rapidly and the need was persistent. During a revival meeting in 1930, conducted by Ira E. Long, thirty-four confessed Christ as their Savior. The Sunday-school attendance had reached a peak of one hundred sixty-two. Another appeal was then made to the mother church for more room. By November 30, 1930, with the aid of the mission board another addition the size of the first one was completed. Approximately two hundred fifty were present on dedication Sunday. During this period the ministerial load was carried largely by Brethren Neher, Beach, Kieffaber, and Tobias, with Brother Long giving what time he could.
At Eastwood the attitude was always optimistic and the interest high, causing all who ministered here in any way to be astonished at the response. So rapidly and persistently did the work grow under God's blessing that a great climax was reached in the late summer in 1932 when David R. McFadd 1 came for a revival. It seemed some nights that the whole community was coming to God. Late in 1932, Eastwood came under the direction of the mission board, the city church being liable for the indebtedness. The mission board secured S. G. Greyer for a trial pastorate. Interest continued to grow. However, the church entered a period of division and dis- couragement and was, for a time, at low ebb.
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PART ONE: CONGREGATIONAL HISTORIES
Then began a period of readjustment and gradual recovery. During the summer of 1933 the church was blessed by the presence of Albert C. Wieand in a Bible institute. This was followed by a daily vacation Bible school conducted by Manchester College students. For over a year the church grew under the shepherding of the wise and fatherly Brother S. S. Shoemaker and was greatly comforted and sustained by the loving encouragement of the district mission board.
Enthusiasm came again. By September 1934 the congrega- tion had sufficiently recovered to warrant the employment of a full-time pastor. The Eastwood members had the good fortune to have Wilmer A. Petry come into their midst as their pastor. Through his loving care, wise council, and devotion, the church became more solidly grounded and better established. Men and women of the community saw that it was here to stay and they put their shoulders to the wheel.
A happy day that was in January 1936 when the Akron church had a note-burning service which signified that the indebtedness on the Eastwood property was canceled. The property was given into the care of the district mission board until Eastwood could assume full responsibility. The mother church had put into the project approximately four thousand dollars besides an untold quota of prayer and service.
Up until 1938, Pastor Petry lived in Mogadore, almost four miles from the community where the church is located. Sentiment grew to get him situated nearer to his field of operation. In the fall of 1937 a lot was purchased at 725 Darrow Road. A house which stood about two miles west of here was purchased, wrecked, moved, and rebuilt with some changes. The pastor and his family moved into it in February of 1938.
In late March of 1938 the old frame church house was torn down and the erecting of a new building was begun. There were very few dollars but many willing hands. On October 16, 1938, a substantial brick structure, attractive and adequate for the work at that time, was dedicated. The total cost of the building and the equipment was sixty-four hundred dollars. The parsonage cost eighteen hundred dollars. The church was carrying a debt burden of something like four thousand dollars at the beginning of 1939. As the years passed, the pastor retired all but a few hundred dollars of the debt on the
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PART ONE: CONGREGATIONAL HISTORIES
parsonage by paying eighteen dollars a month as rent. By 1943 the total indebtedness on both the church and the parsonage had been liquidated.
In 1938 the entire giving of the church for all causes at home and abroad was $1,366.60. The pastor's salary was one thousand eighty dollars, of which the local church paid seven hundred eighty dollars and the District of Northeastern Ohio supplied two hundred forty dollars. In that year the church membership was one hundred fifty-five with an average Sunday-school attendance of one hundred eighteen.
There was a steady increase in membership and giving until by 1946 the membership was one hundred seventy-four after the council meeting had corrected its rolls. The average Sunday-school attendance that year was one hundred thirty- nine; forenoon church services, ninety-six; evening church services, fifty-four. The congregation gave $5,471.94. The pastor was receiving eighteen hundred dollars plus pension and parsonage.
Eastwood received no help from the district after 1943. She was no longer an infant in need of financial support and other help, but a strong, growing, virile church.
By 1952 the membership had reached two hundred forty- one. The average church-school attendance was one hundred seventy-nine; morning church attendance, one hundred thirty- seven; evening church attendance, sixty-three. The midweek Hour of Power average attendance was seventy-one. The church gave in that year $13,640.34, the worldwide work of our Brotherhood receiving more from Eastwood in 1952 than the total giving of the congregation had been in 1938.
The sanctuary of the building we built in 1938 was designed for one hundred seventy-five people. Classrooms were now becoming crowded, and it was evident that if we were to continue to grow and meet the needs of our community we must expand our facilities. The church had a sizable building fund which had been built up without any appreciable effort. August 1952 was designated as building fund month. Before the month was ended the entire ten thousand dollar goal was pledged, payable within one year. By the end of the year more than the ten thousand dollars had been received. A loan for fifteen thousand dollars was negotiated with the General Brotherhood Board.
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PART ONE: CONGREGATIONAL HISTORIES
Preliminary plans were made with C. H. Deardorff's assistance; finally a registered architect from our city was employed. Late in the spring of 1953 the plans were approved by the city and a permit was granted. Work on the new additions began early in the spring of 1953.
An addition twenty-eight feet by fifty-six feet, consisting of a basement and two floors, was constructed at right angles
The Akron Eastwood Church
to the original building at the east end. It housed seven large classrooms, one restroom, a ladies' aid room, halls, and other facilities. It is so constructed that it nearly doubles the seating capacity for worship. At the west end of the old building, jutting toward the south, another wing was added to house the pastor's study, another restroom, and a mimeograph room. A new platform, a pulpit, a worship center, a baptistry, an organ sound chamber, new pews, and new carpet were among the added features. The entire building was given new ceilings and floors and was completely refinished. The improvements also included an enlarged and completely modernized kitchen with an eye-level oven. Deacon N. O. Bittinger of our congre-
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PART ONE: CONGREGATIONAL HISTORIES
gation, an Akron building contractor, was in charge of the construction.
The congregation expended about forty-two thousand dollars on the improvement program. And many thousand man-hours of work were gladly contributed by the member- ship. Thus we built our church, "because the people had a mind to work." A spirit of unity, cooperation, and love characterized the whole undertaking, making the congregation much richer spiritually. Dedication services were held on June 27, 1954.
In December 1954, upon recommendation of the ministerial board to the council, Eastwood authorized the employment of Adam H. Miller as assistant pastor. This step was taken because of Pastor Petry's inability physically to get around to do all the visiting that a growing church requires.
Through the efforts of the Eastwood Quartet, headed by John G. Miller, the church began a series of monthly Sunday- afternoon programs. These continued for two years or more, an offering for the organ fund being received at each meeting. In August of 1955 the organ was paid for and installed. The congregation enjoys it very much and the services are greatly enriched by it.
The Hour of Power continues to be a source of great blessing, the service having lost none of its original attractive- ness and power. The attendance is rarely below seventy-five and is currently above one hundred.
During 1955 a few more than fifty were added to our church by baptism and by letter.
The official board was enlarged by the addition of two deacons at the January 1956 council. Brother and Sister N. E. Petry, who had been ordained to the deacon's office in the First church, Akron, were approved by council action. William Cable and wife, who also came to us from the First church, Akron, after serving in the temporary office of deacon there, were ordained.
The church has reached out in other ways. It has called these men to the ministry: 1947, H. Ison Phillips and Ivan J. Fausnight; 1948, Carroll M. Petry; 1950, Walter Coldren; 1951, Ronald D. Petry; 1953, Charles Keck.
Elders who have served since 1947 are M. M. Taylor, Martin Krieger, G. S. Strausbaugh, and Elmer I. Brumbaugh.
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PART ONE: CONGREGATIONAL HISTORIES
Pastors and ministers since September 1, 1934, have been the following: M. D. Neher, D. H. Keller, Martha Keller, Ira Long, George Kieffaber, Guy K. Beach, S. G. Greyer, S. S. Shoemaker, and Wilmer Petry. Deacons and their wives are Paul and Emily Tobias, Sherman and Ruth McLeland, Charles and Milta Furry, Percy and Cecile Remsburg, Olen and Mae Bittinger, Sam and Lola Fausnight, Deward and Eddith Bailey, Eugene and Anne Petry, William and Ethel Cable, and Clifford and Eileen Sexton.
On May 1, 1956, the Eastwood church was host to a love feast planned by the district ministerial board for ministers and their wives. The officiating elder was Paul M. Robinson, president of Bethany Biblical Seminary and moderator of the 1956 Annual Conference. Seventy-six ministers and their wives attended. So far as we can ascertain, this was the first meeting of its kind in the Brotherhood.
The church has continued through the years to make progress. The high point in attendance and interest seems to have been reached in 1957-1959. Early in 1959, Pastor Petry suffered a severe illness which kept him out of his pulpit for more than six months. The assistant pastor, Brother Miller, having resigned, the congregation secured Gail Snyder from Bethany Biblical Seminary as a summer pastor. Brother Petry resumed his work on September 1, 1959. He continued as our pastor until September 1, 1962, when he was succeeded by E. Stanley Smith from Decatur, Illinois.
In the last seven years the congregation has purchased various parcels of land and a parsonage adjacent to the church, thus providing adequate parking facilities and room for expansion. The church building is fully air-conditioned. The congregation is less than nine thousand dollars in debt. Currently Eastwood is giving thirty percent of her total receipts to outreach through the district and Brotherhood boards. The church is united, spiritually alive, and moving forward. We foresee great things for the congregation in the years ahead.
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PART ONE: CONGREGATIONAL HISTORIES
THE AKRON FIRST CHURCH
A number of members of the Church of the Brethren who were living in Akron felt the need and the desire for a church home in the city. After studying the situation, the district mission board encouraged these members to establish a mission. The mission was started in April 1909, with Aaron F. Shriver in charge of the work. The first year the mission was located in a storeroom at 843 South Main Street. In January of the following year the mission board purchased the property at 807 Coburn Street. Services were held in the dwelling until the new church was dedicated on January 21, 1912.
The church was organized on September 8, 1910, with James Murray as elder and A. F. Shriver as pastor. David Ebie was living in the congregation at the time of its organiza- tion. William Border and Simon Smith were elected deacons at this time. Deacons who transferred their membership to the church were Simon Summy, W. L. Burson, and C. I. Schrock. There were fifty-eight charter members. Among those who took an active part in getting the work started in Akron were Brother and Sister E. L. Hane, Brother and Sister John Renneckar, Phoebe Smith, Brother and Sister Claude Murray, Brother and Sister Warren Kreiner, and Martha Morse.
The congregation was organized from territory that formerly was part of the Springfield, West Nimishillen, and Chippewa churches.
On the first Sunday in April 1909, the first church school was organized. On July 1, 1909, the Christian workers organization was formed; women's work was begun in 1912.
The following ministers have served the church as pastors: Aaron F. Shriver, Harvey Brubaker, Adam H. Miller, D. H. Keller, Ira Long, C. H. Petry, J. O. Winger, Newton D. Cosner, Jay G. Meyers, A. B. Replogle, Joseph Clapper, and Dale A. Young. Ralph B. Martin is its present pastor.
At different times the following ministers have lived in the congregation: David Ebie, A. F. Shriver, Claude Murray, William Bixler, Medford D. Neher, Emery Eshelman, A. R. Kitchen, Enos Nolt, George W. Kieffaber, Carl Welch, William M. Beahm, Henry Styers, Cletus Hiller, and Dan
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PART ONE: CONGREGATIONAL HISTORIES
G. Brubaker. G. K. Beach and Enos Nolt are still active members of the congregation.
Akron has elected these men to the ministry: Claude Murray on May 19, 1911, William M. Beahm (who spent many years as a missionary in Nigeria and was more recently the dean of Bethany Biblical Seminary), Cletus Hiller, Waldo Kinsel, Theodore Brumbaugh, Harlan Grubb, Ivan Fry, Clair Brubaker, Earl Zimmerman, and Paul Beach (licensed). Brethren Murray, Shriver, Nolt, Grubb, Fry, and Zimmerman were ordained to the ministry by this church. On December 2, 1911, A. F. Shriver was advanced to the eldership.
In 1917 a house located next to the church was purchased for use as a parsonage.
At different times the Akron church conducted services in other parts of the congregation: the Dague and Marriner homes and Boneta and Eastwood Heights.
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