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A Brief History of Faith United Methodist Church

It was in the trying days of the War between the States that the German United Brethren Church was established in Zanesville. The first class met on April 8, 1865, in a home on Wayne Avenue with the Rev. C. Streich present.

On September 18, 1865, a lot was purchased for $500.00 on North 7th Street. A building was erected and served the congregation for 94 years. During this time, a new front was added in 1908 and a new educational wing and kitchen were added in 1928.

In 1868, the German United Brethren Church joined the Ohio German Conference. By 1930 this conference dissolved and we joined the Ohio Southeast Conference. Also, in 1883, the Women's Missionary Society and Sewing Circle was founded. The present day U. M. Y. F. began in 1885 under the name of Christian Endeavor Society.

In March, 1895, The German Brethren Church became incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio. During the 1930's, Gottlieb Frieisinger, John Leupold and Rev. Spring went to the Secretary of the State of Ohio to get the name changed to the United Brethren Church. This failed. But on December 15, 1946, our name changed to the First Evangelical United Brethren Church of Zanesville because of our merger with the Evangelical Church.

By August 30, 1958, ground was broken for our current building. The first service in our new building was celebrated on September 27, 1959. Since that time we have acquired the Moeller Pipe Organ, which was dedicated on December 24, 1965 to celebrate our 100th anniversary of the founding of our congregation , joined with the Methodist church on April 23, 1968 and became "Faith United Methodist Church." We bought our current parsonage in 1970, dedicated 25 handbells on December 23, 1973 to the honor of Kristopher LaPLante, moved the library to the first room inside the Fairmont Ave. doors on the left in 1976, redecorated the Chapel in 1977, paved the sidewalks on the Blue Avenue side of the church , removed the asbestos ceilings and replaced them with drywall, the folding dividers and replacement doors were installed in the fellowship hall and a new 15 passenger Dodge van was purchased. Also in 1973, breakfastin', rappin' and singin' was being done in the fellowship hall by the students and teachers from Zanesville High School.

Finally, on September 16, 1995, the members of Faith Church paid special honor to ourfounding fathers with a 130th Anniversary celebration. Those of us who will be lucky enough to still be around in the year 2015, will have an awful lot of history to retell.

These facts were complied by:Walter Leupold, Lorena(Rinky) England, Phyllis Thompson and Beth Long.

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