Cornerstone Celebration
100th Anniversary

September 13, 1998 was a very special day for First United Methodist Church in Crestline, Ohio. They celebrated the 100th anniversary of the lying of the cornerstone of their church. This is also the 154th year of Methodist in Crestline. The Sunday morning service, "Built to Last" focused on Jesus being our cornerstone. Some history of the beginning of Methodists in Crestline and the church building was also included with the message. Music for this service; "Christ the Solid Rock", "Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation", "My Hope Is Built", "Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow", and "How Firm a Foundation".

A special afternoon service:
As the clock moved closer to 4:00 p.m. the number of people to share in the celebration increased. They watched the last minute preparation for removing the cornerstone. On Thursday evening, two father-son teams (Tom & Andy McKean, Ted & Andy Muntis) used a brick saw to cut the cement around the stone so that it would be easier to remove on Sunday.

The service began inside where the members talked of "times remembered at the church" and shared more history. The music for the evening included: "Holy Ground", "The Church's One Foundation", and "Bless Be the Tie That Binds". After prayer we moved outside to the cornerstone.

After a short struggle, Ted and Andy Muntis removed it. The stone contained a copper box protected by a leather wrap, which disintegrated as the box was removed. Everyone reconvened to the dining hall. Since the box was soldered shut, a knife was used to get it open. Rev. Denise Marikis had the honor of removing and showing the contents to all present. A potluck dinner followed this. The objects from the time capsule were displayed on a table that was surrounded all evening by folks looking at the items. Some of the items included: Newspapers from Crestline Democrat, Crestline Advocate and the Columbus Evening Dispatch, a small book listing the church members and officers, an 1897 Crestline City Directory, an1896 book of Discipline, 1878 Hymnal, and a card with the name Poffenbaugh and Bauer Contractors.

Among the special guest attending; five members of Charles William Conrad Bauer family, one of the builders. Two sons: Sam Adams Bauer and Edward Lewis Bauer; and three granddaughters Belinda Liere, Beatrice Beaubien, and Bonnie Cavegn. Also three former ministers: Rev. & Mrs. Don Adams, Rev. and Mrs. Gene Priest and Rev. Lyle Hinkle.

According to a book from the cornerstone Time Capsule, the old church was dedicated in 1855, Rev. J.F. Kennedy. In 1872 with the Rev. W.H. Painter as pastor, a rededication was held after a bell tower and Sunday school rooms were added to the church. Another rededication in1882, Rev. C.H. Sticking and Rev. G.W. Huddleston pastor, is probably when the bell was installed. I say this because the date on the bell is 1882.

Tom McKean cutting away the cement that holds the old cornerstone in place. Photo taken: September 10, 1998.

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