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HistoryThe History of North Lima - Calvary United Methodist ChurchUnder the ministry of Jacob Albright the Evangelical church had its beginning in the eastern counties of Pennsylvania. "This humble man of God began a religious awakening which came like a refreshing rain on the new American nation". His concern for the German people in America, and his knowledge of their need of Christian training, promoted the founding of this body. In 1816 was the beginning of the Evangelical Church in Ohio. A Reverend Kring, pastor of the Canton Circuit, named appointments and among them was one for Beaver Township. He was a minister of groups that met in homes of the Kerns and Keck families in this area as early as 1833. In 1836 the preachers of the denomination began their labors in the North Lima neighborhoods. J.J. Kepp, pastor of the Columbiana Circuit, described a revival in Beaver township among the European Germans, and disclosed they had a "preaching place". A minister at this time (1836) was almost unknown here, and thus Kepp began to make this place one of his regular preaching points. According to the records, the North Lima Class was organized in 1836 as a result of these revivals. Members met at various homes and the school. By 1844 the first house of worship was constructed. In December of that year, Bishop Seybert and Peter Weist, a circuit preacher, visited the church and after both had spoken "most of the congregation went to a stream of water nearby, and after the ice in the mill dam was broken, a Samuel Paulin was baptized three times under water". This first church burned some years later, supposedly the work of "an enemy of temperance" to prevent a series of meetings then being held. In 1842 the Washtonian Temperance Society was organized, with 25 members, and meetings were held in the church. Opposition to the temperance cause was very bitter and was backed by the influence of nine distilleries then in operation in Beaver Township. One Sunday afternoon, two temperance lecturers were conducting a meeting in the church when the opposition, armed with guns and whiskey bottles, marched against the church and drove out the preachers. Opposition continued, and finally a mysterious fire at midnight consumed the building. Shortly after, a new house was built at the cost of $4,000.00. It was formally dedicated by Bishop Bowman and the preacher in charge, a Reverend Summers, on January 2, 1877. The church had 88 members and a Sunday School membership of 100. Will Creps was Superintendent. Originally the appointment of preachers was a part of the Columbiana Circuit, and Charter members mentioned are Adam Wieland, Michael Keck, John Mentzer, Gabriel Erb and J. Paulin. The North Lima Circuit was formed which included New Springfield Evangelical Church. The parsonage was in North Lima and was jointly owned. One minister served both churches. For the next 60 year period there are no details. However, there is a record of all the ministers and the years in which they served from 1895 through the present:
Under the guidance of Reverend C. H. Kern, the church made great progress, especially in Sabath School. It became necessary to enlarge, and so the building was raised and a basement built beneath the entire structure. This was planned in February, 1940, and was accomplished a short time later. In 1941 the church was re-dedicated by Bishop G. C. Epp and D. L. Caldwell. Later in 1952 new furniture was purchased, and in 1954-1955 a new kitchen and restrooms were added. After working closely together for some time, the Evangelical Church merged with the United Brethren Church. In 1962 the New Springfield E. U. B. and Calvary E. U. B. each became a single charge church with their own ministers. We bought the parsonage in North Lima. Several Calla church members joined with our congregation in April, 1963. Also in 1963, after several meetings and much planning and discussion, the congregation voted to purchase land on the corner of Route 164 and 165 for a new church building. On April 26, 1964 ground was broken for the new church, and on September 20, the cornerstone was laid. Important papers and pictures were placed in a box and placed in the cornerstone. The first services in the new church were held on January 17, 1965. Formal dedication services were held February 28, 1965. "May the children and the poor, who would seek God in Christ in this Church, find as warm a reception as its greatest contributor. May the doors of this church always be open to the lonely, to the needy, to any soul who would draw near. May it be known that we welcome all men looking only to the salvation of the soul and not to the color of the skin or the providence of nationality. May our church be a place where love, understanding, and concern will be for all; then we can say, "This church is consecrated to the use of all who would draw near by faith to worship God and to honor His Son." Four groups met one night each week in 1968 for five weeks for Bible study and prayer -- good attendance and much interest. Methodist Church and Evangelical United Brethren Churches merged; thus our name Calvary United Methodist Church. On Sunday morning June 25, 1972, the new church tower was dedicated. There also was the re-dedication of the bell. The bell, a genuine relic, is believed to be more than 100 years old and hung above several church structures. It hung in the church of 1844 till it was burned down. In 1877, a new church, with the salvaged bell, was dedicated and now is at Calvary. Bill Willis designed the frame work of the new mounting, and John Pfeister did the carpentry work. Other important dates and happenings: 1836: Evangelical Ministries established class at North Lima. 1844: First House of Worship built. 1870: North Lima Church yoked with New Springfield Evangelical church. 1876: New church erected & old church sold as village hall. 1940: Basement added. 1946: Evangelical united with United Brethren Church. 1963: Voted to build new church. 1976: New carpet installed. 1978: Carillion dedicated. 1980: Church mortgage burning ceremony. 1989: New Hymnals were purchased. 1990: Building committee established 1992: Parking lot blacktopped. 1994: Pews were padded. 1995: Air conditioning installed for sanctuary and the kitchen. 2005: Site planned developed for 3 phases for consideration. New boiler and playground area. Handrail installed in hallway and grab bars in restrooms. 2006: New roof on church; sound system upgraded; bell tower refurbished. A defibrillator was purchased; members of the congregation have been trained and certified for use. 2007: Expanded and lined parking lot; Church Library moved and upgraded; Youth Room expanded; new hallway and emergency lighting added. 2008: Church entrance and driveway widened. New computer purchased for Church Office. 2009: Church driveway and extended parking lot area paved. |
