USA > Ohio > The Church of the Brethren in northeastern Ohio > Part 14
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The members of the Committee are unanimous on the idea of proposing this splendid location to the District for consideration. It is in view of the fact that this place affords
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an ideal location for an enlarged program of Church work here in this district. Therefore, the committee submits this report and recommends that immediate plans be made to proceed with the purchase of this tract of land from Mrs. Newman which adjoins the Zion Church property. We further propose that the matter of the project together with authority to purchase the land be delegated to a responsible committee.
The recommendation of the committee was adopted.
The district meeting moved "That the present committee be authorized to carry out the recommendation acting for the
Camp Zion Trustees
Leroy Domer, Harold Steiner, Ray Walters, Wilbur Det- wiler, and Kenneth Garver.
Home Mission Board of Northeastern Ohio which shall hold the property in trust for Northeastern Ohio District, the same to be considered the officially authorized trustees.
The committee reported to the 1937 district conference that they had purchased nine and eighty-five hundredths acres of land from Mrs. Newman on October 14, 1936, for $1,185, and that the Tuscarawas congregation voluntarily gave a ninety- nine-year lease on the Zion church property.
For the first time in the history of the district the churches
Camp Zion Scene
had a central meeting place. During the first summer, that of 1937, activities carried on were a retreat for ministers and their wives, a camp for intermediate boys and girls sponsored by the district board of Christian education, and a camp for the young people of the district.
We find these significant prophetic words in the conclusion of the committee's report: "Who can value 'Zion' when we think of the many lives that shall be developed into Christian
Cabins at Camp Zion
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Recreation for the Senior Citizens at Camp Zion
character through the fu- ture years? Let us all work to make it a real memorial to the Lord."
By action of the district conference which approved a recommendation of the joint board, the care, con- trol, and management of Camp Zion were first vested in a board of trustees of five members. Those elected to the board were J. C. Inman, Clyde Mulligan, M. M. Tay- lor, John Strausbaugh, and Vernon King.
The camp has indeed be- come the center of many church activities. With the exception of the years 1944,
Swimming Pool at Camp Zion
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Vespers Led by Kenneth Morse
1947, and 1950, it was the meeting place of the district conference from 1941 to 1958.
Much free labor by various groups, individuals, and the trustees has gone into the improvement of the property. In money the camp is valued at sixty-two thousand dollars; but who can determine the value in terms of Christian character development? Recently the board of trustees named the dormitory Taylor Hall in recognition of M. M. Taylor's long tenure and service on the board (1936-1947). The district has been fortunate in having members on the board of trustees who have been worthy stewards. Many hours of work and many dollars were contributed by these brethren.
Camp Zion has served Northeastern Ohio well. It has greatly helped to unify the district. With the approaching merger of Northwestern Ohio and Northeastern Ohio a larger camp is a possibility.
The trustees for 1963 are Bennett Shoemaker, Wilbur Hershberger, Walter Coldren, Mildred Young, and Leroy Domer.
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WEST VIEW MANOR
For many years it was felt that the Church of the Brethren of Northeastern Ohio should provide a home for its senior citizens. The church realized that it had an obligation to assist those individuals who need help in their declining years.
The district mission board was the first to sponsor the idea of a home for our aging citizens. Accordingly, in 1955 at a special called district conference, the board was authorized to purchase a farm located seven miles north of Wooster, Ohio. This farm, after considerable study of the requirements for a home, proved not entirely satisfactory. But the members of the churches now had an incentive to give toward a retirement home. The title to the farm was held by the district mission board until 1956, when ownership was transferred to a board of trustees. The home board consisted of Wilbur A. Stuckey, Ray B. Beegle, L. W. Huffman, Mrs. Grace Steiner, and J. D. Zigler. Under the direction of this board the farm home operated with two guests for a period of several years.
Donald Sollenberger, a minister in the Church of the Brethren, with his family moved into the farm home. He managed the home and taught school close to the farm. It was
CHURCH ++ DRETHREN HOME
First Home
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felt, however, that a more central location near a city would be more desirable. At a trustee meeting on February 21, 1959, the board completed the purchase of a beautiful twenty-five- acre plot located two miles northwest of Wooster, Ohio, on State Route 22.
The next responsibility of the board was to secure funds to pay for the new site and for the construction of a new home. After considering several fund-raising plans, the trustees
First Board of Trustees
J. D. Zigler, Wilbur Stuckey, Grace Steiner, L. W. Huff- man, Ray B. Beegle.
approved the Broadway Bond Plan and presented it to a special meeting of the district conference for final approval. The churches of the district responded by members purchasing bonds in the amount of about two hundred thousand dollars.
In the meantime an architect was secured to draw plans for the home. When the plans were completed and approved by the board, a number of bids were submitted. The general contract was let on November 7, 1960.
The first unit of West View Manor was completed and
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Paul Horst, Manager
Donald Sollenberger The manager of the first home.
dedicated in December 1961. The home has been in operation since January 1, 1962. It can accommodate twenty-six ambulatory guests. Other wings to be added, including an infirmary, will bring the total to one hundred eight guests. Besides the manor, apartments and small individual homes will be built upon the twenty-five-acre area.
Paul Horst was engaged by the trustees as the manager of the new retirement home. He was born in Orrville, graduated from the Orrville high school in 1935, and served in civilian public service for three years, spending the majority of the time as an attendant at the Farnhurst State Hospital near Wilmington, Delaware. He owned his own floor covering business for fifteen years. Before coming to the home the Horsts attended and completed a course of training on the administration of homes for the aging, at Dillsburg, Pennsyl- vania. The parents of three children, they were active in church work at East Chippewa prior to moving to Wooster.
In 1962, the expansion of the board of trustees was author- ized. It consists of Ralph Martin, Harper Bender, Roy Bower, Ira Good, Grace Steiner, Jay Myers, Russell Young, Edison Moomaw, Howard Dickerhoof, Jean Miller, Dorothy Kauffman, Roy S. Lautenschlager, Ivan Steiner, Sr., and Jay Lehman.
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Breaking Ground for West View Manor Guy K. Beach, Roy Bower, Mrs. Harold Steiner, Ira W. Good, and Wilbur Stuckey.
H
West View Manor
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THE WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP
The women's fellowship in the district had its origin in the sisters' aid societies. The first society was probably organized in the Maple Grove church in 1894. The first district meeting of the aid societies of Northeastern Ohio was held on October 2, 1912. At this meeting eleven churches reported having organized aid societies.
The first constitution for the district organization was adopted on August 27, 1915. The same year the district conference granted the following request:
We, the sisters of the Aid Societies of Northeastern Ohio, ask District Meeting to grant us a place on the annual program, preferably the evening preceding the Ministerial Meeting, for the purpose of rendering a program and transacting necessary business; also that the Annual District Aid Society report be printed in the minutes of District Meeting. Mrs. W. D. Keller, president; Mrs. G. A. Cassel, secretary.
Among some of the early officers other than Sisters Keller and Cassel were Jennie Shriver, Emma Rohrer, and Sadie Moherman.
At the meeting in 1919, it was decided that each aid society should raise one dollar per member for the girls' boarding school in India.
It is evident that the aid desired to cooperate with the district conference. In 1928, it requested district conference to approve the officers elected. In 1937, the following recom- mendation was approved:
We the Joint Board of Northeastern Ohio recommend that the Men's and Women's Work of the District act as independent organizations instead of being organized and supervised under the jurisdiction of any other Board or committee such as the Board of Christian Education and that each of them be privileged to have a representative on the Joint Board.
A new constitution was adopted in 1938 and the name of the district organization was officially changed to Women's Work of Northeastern Ohio. The same year the first summer meeting was held at Camp Zion. Since then the women have held their annual rally in the summer at Camp Zion. The theme for the annual meeting each year emphasizes one of
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these areas: family life, Brethren service, missions, and the spiritual life.
The women have always been interested in missions, temperance, and peace, and have contributed financially to these projects and other needs as they have developed. Since 1941, when Brethren service began, the women have con- tributed money, sewed materials, made comforters, collected
Women's Fellowship Cabinet
Mrs. Lester Royer, Mrs. Grace Steiner, Mildred Young, Bernice Vickers, and Mrs. W. H. Miley.
clothing, and given whatever the service director indicated was needed.
In 1951, the organization adopted a unified budget and decided to give one dollar per member as a minimum. Money received under the unified budget is used for district expenses, regional dues, the Brotherhood Fund, and Camp Zion. A small percentage of the money is retained each year for any special or emergency project that might arise.
. ... It was decided in 1952 to send five delegates to the regional conference each year. One of the delegates is the president.
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In 1954 the first training session was held the afternoon and evening preceding the annual women's rally. This was planned to be of special help to the officers and directors of the local groups. There are now thirty-five local organizations. Attendance at the rallies has risen to about four hundred.
Following the Brotherhood usage, the organization recently became known as the women's fellowship.
Some of the special projects to which the women's fellowship has contributed are Bethany Brethren Hospital, the Bristolville building fund, a typewriter for Hazel Messer, blankets for a hospital in India, the foreign student fund at Manchester College, and Christian education supplies for the Painesville mission. Each year some special contribution has been given to Camp Zion: tea towels, sheets, pillowslips, blankets, quilts, a gas stove, trays, playground equipment, mattresses, mattress covers, an electric mixer, an electric washer-dryer, and ovens.
The cabinet of the women's fellowship for 1962-1963 consists of Mrs. Merlin (Grace) Shull, president; Mrs. Edward (Helen) Angeny, vice-president; Mrs. P. J. (Cecil) Remsburg, secretary-treasurer; Mrs. Harry (Florence) Imhoff, mission director; Mrs. John Miller, aid-service.
THE MEN'S FELLOWSHIP
In 1937 the joint boards of Northeastern Ohio recommended to the district conference that the men's work and the women's work of the district act as independent organizations instead of being organized and supervised under the jurisdiction of any board or committee such as the board of Christian education and that each be privileged to have a representative on the joint boards. Later both groups requested that their elected officers be approved by the conference. Both of these organi- zations have rendered notable service to the district.
The men sponsor a family fellowship day at Camp Zion each summer. They hold an annual rally day with an out- standing speaker. In 1962, seventy-five men and boys turned out to seed the lawn at West View Manor. The men of the
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district have contributed generously in work and money to Camp Zion, missions, Brethren service, evangelism, and other projects in the district.
The contribution of the men's fellowship is well illustrated by the following incident. In 1943 the church building at Bristolville was entirely destroyed by fire while the church was engaged in an extensive remodeling program. The continuation of the work there was imperiled. The debris was cleaned out of the basement, a temporary roof was placed over the foundation, and services were again started. With the aid of supply ministers and local workers the little group was held together until 1946. At that time the home mission board was undecided whether or not to continue this mission point. The board brought the problem to the district conference, which supported the board's proposal to supply a full-time pastor. Elder D. E. Sower, a member of the board, volunteered to move into the congregation.
Results proved this decision to be wise. Brother Sower's work was effective, thirteen being received into membership in less than eight months. Sunday-school and church attend- ance increased until larger quarters became necessary.
The mission board was then faced with the problem of
Men's Fellowship Cabinet
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The Men of the District Building the Bristolville Church
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building a church during a period of inflated prices of materials and labor. This matter of costs prompted the mission board to challenge the district men's work organization to donate the labor. The challenge was accepted enthusiastically by the delegates at their annual rally. The mission board then contacted Brother Wilbur Shoemaker, a building contractor. Brother Shoemaker startled the men with the proposition that if they would support his crew with plenty of help, he would put the building under roof in one day.
The district was divided into two sections. The first section went into action on September 13, 1947. On that Saturday morning ninety-nine men were present. To the music of saw and hammer and with teamwork that was amazing, the structure literally grew before the almost- unbelieving eyes of all. Just as the shadows of evening fell, the building was under roof and the sides were sheathed. "Doubting Thomases" who had passed by in the morning became fully convinced when, in the evening, they saw what had been accomplished by the resourcefulness and the co- operation of the men of the district. On the following Saturday morning, the second section had fifty-five men on hand. They erected the entrance, the stairway tower, and the chimney, and completed some interior work.
The finishing of the building proceeded intermittently as materials became available. The cooperation of the men of the district, the individual donations of materials, as well as gifts of lighting fixtures, chairs, and other furnishings from various churches of the district, all helped to build the church at a very low cash outlay.
It was not an easy task; the basic planning and the proper execution of the plans by enthusiastic and conscientious members of the district culminated in a lovely and much-needed place of worship. The Bristolville people consistently support- ed the work. Pastor Sower gave unstintingly of his time and labor.
The dedication service, on June 6, 1948, was well attended by members from the whole district. President V. F. Schwalm of Manchester College gave the dedication address. Radio Station WKBN, of Youngstown, had its program director attend the ceremony. Then, on June 7, this station very graciously presented a fifteen-minute broadcast about the
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erection and the dedication of the church that was built in two days by the men's fellowship of Northeastern Ohio. (See also the story of the Bristolville congregation in Part One.)
Following is the men's fellowship organization for 1963: president, Forest Heiks; vice-president, Wilbur Hershberger; general secretary, Kenneth Imhoff; recording secretary, Paul Wise; treasurer, Clifford Johnson; pastoral counselor, Merlin G. Shull.
THE YOUTH FELLOWSHIP
In 1926, the district meeting of Northeastern Ohio approved a recommendation of the joint boards (council of boards) that the young people's department, then known as the B.Y.P.D., be represented on the council. This gave official status to the young people's work. Now called the C.B.Y.F. (Church of the Brethren Youth Fellowship), they are a very active group. Each summer they at- tend the young peo- ple's camp at Camp Zion in large numbers. In the fall a workshop is held to help the of- ficers of the local groups; each winter and spring, district rallies are held. The youth participate in the speech contest; one of their number, Ro- berta Kurtz, of Hart- ville, was the winner of the contest in the Brotherhood one year. They also participate in a drama festival. Ap- proximately fifty from the district attended
Roberta Kurtz Brotherhood speech contest winner.
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Youth Fellowship Cabinet
The cabinet's advisers are Curtis Dubble and Arthur Crone.
the National Youth Conference at Estes Park, Colorado, in 1962. The subdistrict organizations are very active during the year.
The youth fellowship cabinet for 1963 is constituted as follows: president, Ken Radcliff; vice-president, Janet Kurtz; secretary, Beverly Eggleton; treasurer, David Snyder; editor and Outreach chairman, Sharon Krommes; Faith chairman, Ron Hanft; Citizenship chairman, Verda Deeter; Fellowship chairman, Bob Messer. The counselors are Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Boydelatour, Delbert Kettering, and Guy Buch.
WORLDWIDE MISSIONS
As early at 1875, the district meeting of Northeastern Ohio appointed a board of managers to provide an organized plan for preaching the gospel in the district. This was the beginning
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of home missions in Northeastern Ohio. In 1896 a board of five members was elected. These five persons became the mission board of the district. It was incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio in 1922. The section dealing with the activities of the home mission board relates the activities of the board.
The district became interested in worldwide missions at the beginning of concern for world missions in the denomi- nation. It has been liberal in support of the missionary work of the church. The district has made its greatest contribution in the number of young men and women who have dedicated their lives to preaching the gospel at home and throughout the world. Many congregations have given di- rect support to missionaries who have gone out from the district.
Goldie Swartz was the first missionary to be sent from the district. She was born on a farm in the vicinity of Ashland. Her parents, B. Frank and Sarah (Shoe- maker) Swartz, lived there for nearly fifty years. Goldie was re- ceived into the Maple Grove church by baptism on November 3, 1901. Until it was transferred to India in Goldie Swartz 1916, she held her membership in the Maple Grove church. She at- tended Ashland College, the normal course, 1903-1906; taught school, 1906-1908; attended Mount Morris Academy, 1908-1910; served as a city missionary in Rockford, Illinois, 1910-1912; was a student at Bethany Bible School, 1912-1915 (B.S.L. degree) .
Goldie says that it was during the period at Bethany that there came to her a growing consciousness of a call to larger service, though not without conflict and discouragement from without. She answered the inner urge by volunteering for a foreign assignment. A few weeks later, in 1915, she was con- secrated at the Annual Conference at Hershey, Pennsylvania, for work in India. While still on the Conference grounds, a delegation from Northeastern Ohio offered the financial support of the district. The following week, the district Sunday-school
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convention of Northeastern Ohio met at the Reading church. At this meeting her support was provided for by all the Sunday schools of the district. This arrangement continued for many years until the interest in missions had grown to the extent that many of the churches wanted to support a missionary directly. Sister Goldie's support was assumed by the Cleveland and East Nimishillen churches.
She was in India from 1916 to 1955, her work being mostly in the fields of evangelism and education. Before she went to India, Manchester College had granted her a B.A. degree in 1915. During several furloughs she earned the B.D. and M.A. degrees. It was a fitting climax to almost forty years of service in India that the Christian group at Vada, her last place of service, dedicated a new church building. Goldie returned on furlough in June 1954 just in time for the Ocean Grove Annual Conference, at which she represented the Second District of India on Standing Committee. Now retired, she resides in Sebring, Florida.
Anna B. Brumbaugh, the daughter of Cyrus and Amanda Brumbaugh, was born in Hartville, Ohio, on December 1, 1891. She was graduated from Juniata College with an A.B. degree in 1919. Anna taught in the Sunday school before going into service overseas. In 1920 she went to India, where she was a general supervisor and was in charge of the girls' boarding school at Vada until 1934.
Albert Helser, son of David and Emma (Zartman) Helser, was born at Thornville, Ohio, on July 10, 1897. He was baptized in August 1910, elected to the ministry by the Olivet church in 1917, and ordained to the eldership in 1922. He was married to Lola Bechtel on August 15, 1922. The couple entered the Nigerian field the same year, where they served until recently. Their years of association with the Mission Board of the Church of the Brethren were from 1922 to 1936. A fuller account of Brother Helser's academic preparation and service is given in the biographical section.
Lola (Bechtel) Helser was born October 16, 1898. Her parents, Jackson and Martha Bechtel, lived on a farm near Butler, Knox County, Ohio. They were members of the Church of the Brethren. Lola gave her heart to Christ on Easter Sunday, 1910, when she was not yet twelve years of age. After high school, she entered Manchester College and was
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graduated in 1919. She entered the Illinois training school for nurses, completing the work in the spring of 1922. She remained in Chicago for a short time and helped in Bethany Hospital. At the Winona Lake Conference in 1922 she was approved for service in Nigeria. She returned to her home in Bellville, Ohio, and was married to Albert in August 1922.
Ira W. Moomaw, son of Peter and Ida (Grise) Moomaw, was born in Canton, Ohio, on July 8, 1894. He was baptized in the Canton Center church in July 1910 and was called to the ministry in 1919. He received his academic training at Manchester College and Ohio State University (Ph.D.). Brother Moomaw was married to Mabel Winger on September 1, 1920. He served on the India field from 1923 to 1943. (A fuller account of his work is given in the biographical section.)
Beulah Woods Miller was born on July 28, 1897, in Spencer, Ohio, the daughter of Charles M. and Clara Woods. She re- ceived an A.B. degree from Manchester College and an M.A. from the University of Chicago, and was a part-time student at Bethany Biblical Seminary from 1921 to 1923. She went to India in 1924 and served there until 1929 as a teacher in the girls' school and as a supervisor of the grade school.
Clara B. Harper was born in Ashland, Ohio, on September 15, 1895. Her parents were F. L. and Elizabeth Harper. Clara attended Ashland College, Manchester College, and Bethany Biblical Seminary. Africa being her chosen field of service, in September 1926 she left for Nigeria. Her work was mostly with women and girls. She taught people individually in their homes and in classes. Many weeks and months were spent on tour. She worked at Garkida, Marama, and Shafa. Sister Harper is now living in retirement at Greenville, Ohio.
Evelyn Horn, the daughter of Quinter Elijah and Lorena (Hoover) Horn, was born in Roseville, Ohio, on January 18, 1900. Her grandfather, Elijah Horn, was a staunch supporter of the Church of the Brethren; he served in the Goshen (later called White Cottage) congregation. In this congregation, where her father was a deacon, Evelyn was baptized on Easter Sunday, 1914, in a little creek just back of her home. In 1918 she entered Manchester College; there she finished her high school work in the academy and took some college work. In 1924 she entered the Illinois Training School for Nurses. Com- pleting her course in June 1927, she passed the examination of
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