1926

to

1930

1926

The First United Brethren Church of Parma was organized on Easter Sunday afternoon, April 4, 1926, through the efforts of Rev. E. F. Wegner.  Conference Superintendent of the Ohio German Conference, and Mr. Carl W. Meinke, with twenty-six Charter Members.

May 2, 1926, there were nine more Charter Members added making a total of 35 charter families.

Thursday, May 6, 1926, the first congregational meeting and Official Board was held, at which time all officers were properly elected.  At the close of this meeting, the first Quarterly Conference was held, the Conference Superintendent, Rev. E. F. Wegner, presiding.  At the recommendation of the Conference, Brother C. W. Meinke was given Quarterly Conference License and assigned as acting Pastor under the supervision of the Conference Superintendent.

Meetings were held in the old State Road School House on the present site.  A short time afterward, this property was sold at auction.  Rev.  Wegner, by instructions of the Conference, purchased this property for the church.

1927

Rev. H. C. Hahn served as Pastor until Rev. H. C. Schiering was appointed at Conference in 1927.  He was the first Resident Ordained Pastor to be assigned here.  He moved with his family from Indianapolis, Indiana to Parma in October 1927.

1929

After several meetings with Dr. Camp and Dr. Showers of the Church Erection Society, and with Mr. W. R. Herby, architect, the Quarterly Conference voted to authorize the Board of Trustees to enter into a contract for a new building.  Ground was broken on July 28, 1929.

The cornerstone was laid on October 6, 1929.

1930

The church was dedicated on May 18, 1930, at a cost of $45,000.  Lay people helped with the labor.  Bishop K R. Clippinger officiated at the dedication.  The building consisted of the Sanctuary and Stage Room (as we call it) and a kitchen.

The church bell was secured from the Mt.  Zion United Brethren Church near Marietta, Ohio, through the efforts of Dr. J. E. Comer, Conference Superintendent.  The expense of installing the bell and transportation amounted to $37.61.

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