The first meeting of members of this organization was held in the old red school house and was addressed by the Rev. S.H. Stoney of Nelson, Ohio, by whom they were organized in June 1868. The following names composed the organizing members: M. Harshman, R.A. Houghton, T. Barton, Albert Gage, Wm. Fox, H.E. Spencer, J.C. Ensign and James R. Thorn.
The school house was later moved from where the YMCA is now located to its present location across the street from our church.
In 1874 a fine brick church with steeple was built on Garrett Street (now Park Ave.) at a cost of $8000. The church bell was added approximately two years later. It is not known when the steeple was removed from the church. A 1911 picture showed it was gone. In 1892 a parsonage was built next to the church, thus making the church property valued at $13,000 (approximately $430,000 in today’s market).
The church basement was excavated in 1917 with a wide stairway leading to the back of the narthex. Also, an outside covered entrance was added to the south side of the church. The music department has been blessed with three pipe organs. The first organ was installed in 1897. The second organ was installed in 1917 with a donation from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. The present organ (a rebuilt Johannus) was installed in 2012.
The educational unit was added in 1956-57 with office and class rooms on the first floor and a large hall in the basement. The kitchen was also remodeled.
In 1967 the sanctuary was remodeled, lowering the ceiling, with new pews and new pendant lights. The organ was changed from pump to electric with a new organ console. The front of the chancel area was changed, complete with a large cross.
In 1993 an addition to the educational wing was added, classrooms and music room on first floor, plus enlarging the basement, also adding storage area. The chancel area was lowered, the organ console was moved to the left side and the choir area also was changed to the right side. Two sections of the chancel rails are removable, also the communion rails can be removed, creating a stage area if needed.
Sanctuary lighting has been changed several times. The present lights were added in 2003, placing lights in the ceiling and spot lights for better coverage, also, replacing the pendant lights with chandeliers.
In 2005 a new parsonage was purchased, a brick ranch style with three bedrooms and attached garage. The old parsonage, which needed a lot of updates and much work, was torn down in 2008. The lot was made into a nice lawn area.
Our Apple Tree Preschool was started in 2006. The school offers morning and afternoon classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the local school year.
The house next to our parking lot was purchased in 2008. The property had two rented apartments in the house plus a large barn to the rear of the lot. The reason for this purchase was in case we needed more parking area. The school to the north of the church is now the YMCA. We can use their area for parking. We sold the rental property in 2017.
Having failed the water department’s smoke test on our sewer line in 2008, a sewer and storm drainage project was completed in 2009, replacing the old field tile lines. The lines run out back over the hill to Center Street. We have an easement with the property behind us.
In 2017, the stained glass window restoration project was completed, costing $35,000. Of the seventeen windows, ten were sponsored by various families. The remaining funds to complete the project came thru donations from our members and friends of the church.
In 2018 our large projects include complete roof replacement and furnace/HVAC unit on the educational wing. We also removed a large dead ash tree which was overhanging the roof. It has a 43 inch diameter at the base of the tree trunk.
Throughout the years, the church has been involved in missions, international and local, as well as church programs and projects. Today they include Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, VBS, Camp Read-a-lot, 4F’s (for seniors), Easter and Thanksgiving baskets, hot lunches for kids on Christmas school break, Grief Support Group, Boy Scouts, Prayer Shawls, Funeral dinners, Shoe Box Ministry, local merchants fire fund, Easter Egg Hunt, Bible Study, Handbell and Chancel choirs.
Although our building and property have undergone many changes through the years, we believe that the Church is the people who make up the Body of Christ in this place. From here we will continue to be faithful in all places.
