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Sardinia UMC
(Psalm
23)
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| At the close of the 18th Century,
this part of Brown County was in the Miami Conference of Methodist Episcopal
Church. The scattered groups or classes visited occasionally by a
circuit rider, whose circuit usually extended over 100 miles. One
of the most noted of these circuit riders who served this county was Peter
Cartwright.
In 1808, the White Oak Circuit was formed. This is the earliest record there is of our local Methodist society, but we know that Methodism was in our community from the time that such families as the Hamiltons, Days, and Nevins settled along the little stream south of Sardinia, known as Slab Camp Creek. Meetings were held in private homes, with the principal meeting place being the home of Andrew Nevin. About 1829, the Methodist congregation and the Washington Township trustees together built a building for use of both the school and the church. It was known as Biehn Schoolhouse. In 1840, Andrew Nevin donated an acre of land near Slab Camp Creek, between Staten Road and Fite-Hauck Road. The same year a frame church was erected and known as the Mount Carmel M.E. Church. Worship continued for twenty years on that site where only a cemetery remains today. In the meantime, the village of Sardinia had been surveyed and was a flourishing small town. The need was felt in the village for a Methodist organization there. In 1860, Houston Bare gave two lots on South Main Street in Sardinia. At this time part of the original Mount Carmel building was moved down Slab Camp Creek to this new site and rebuilt with some additions. Kerosene lamps supplied the light and wood stoves supplied the heat. About 1900, the building was improved by the addition of a Sunday School room, Choir loft, and steeple. The bell that was purchased for the new steeple is in use today. When electricity came to the village, new electric lights were installed. In 1940, the interior was redecorated and a kitchen added. To meet the demands of a growing congregation, in 1954 a 100x40 foot annex was added. This included classrooms, a kitchen, restrooms,and a large multi-purpose room. At this time the sanctuary underwent a complete remodeling, which included turning the pews and chancel 180 degrees. This church has always been mission minded, ever striving to be of service to the less fortunate and down-trodden, by using their prayers, possessions and personalities to further the Kingdom of God. This legacy continues with the addition of a handicapped accessible entrance in 1995; and is being carried into the future by the adoption of a formal Mission Statement in 1997.
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