GROVEPORT  UNITED  METHODIST  CHURCH

THE HISTORY OF CHURCH PASTORS

    

1800's Circuit Rider

                         

1984 Circuit Rider Ken Marckel

Originally, this church was home base for the circuit’s “Preacher-in-Charge” who was helped in his duties by one or two younger “Preacher Assistants” or “Junior Preachers” until the fall of 1878, when only one pastor was in charge of the circuit.  In his report to the Fourth Quarterly Conference held August 23, 1902, Rev. John F. Grimes commented on this, and this is a direct quote:  “inability to do all the work that might be done in this charge covering as it does more than 100 square miles containing two considerable towns and in which I am the only resident preacher.”  Groveport and Lockbourne must have been the two towns he meant.  It must have been quite a hardship for him considering he preached all his sermons, made pastoral visits and attended frequent prayer meetings in all kinds of weather while traveling from place to place either on horseback or by horse and buggy.  Rev. Grimes also wrote in his same report that, and again, a direct quote:  “the conditions of modern life with its numerous attractions and distractions are not conducive to a fervent Christian experience.”  He might have been writing about our lives today. 

Because we were part of a large circuit for so many years, we had two or three pastors serving the circuit at the same time.  This accounts for the long list of pastors who have been assigned to the Groveport Charge.  Starting in 1838, there were new pastors every year or every other year until the early 1900’s when they began staying three to four years.  By the 1940’s, five to seven years became the norm until 1982 when Rev. Kenneth W. Marckel was assigned to our church for the next 17 years.  Although our next pastor was with us less than two years, our present pastor has been assigned to our church since August 2001. 

From 1838 until 1941, the pastors were reassigned in the fall of each year.  In 1941, the pastors were reassigned in early June during Annual Conference.

Click here for Historical List of Pastors