THE LEWISBURG METHODIST
(Later Calvary United Methodist Church)
After the devastating fire on April 18, 1961, the Calvary congregation constructed a new facility. For the formal opening of the new building on September 8, 1963, a booklet was produced called “Reflections… 1842-1963.” It contained an excellent history of the church during that period. Excerpts from that booklet follow supplemented with drawings and photographs from that period accumulated by Seth S. Schlotterbeck, grandfather of our building committee chairman, Seth Schlotterbeck.
Most of the old records of the church have been lost or possibly were never made. Much of the early history was by word only. Mrs. Edna Schumaker’s history prepared for the 1942 celebration (read when the new basement or social room and Sunday School’s enlarged quarters were dedicated), tells the story related by Mr. J. F. Rohrer, formerly an active member of our church. Before there was a Lewisburg, one lone cabin was located on this site, which was occupied by the Lease family. One evening Mr. Lease discovered smoke curling up through the trees on Twin Creek. Arming himself, due to the prevalence of horse thieves at this time, he called to the stranger, who introduced himself as a Methodist minister who was camping for the night. After spending the night in the Lease home the minister arranged to preach in this home within two weeks. Mr. Lease invited a few people in the valley to the service; the minister returned, preached, formed a class and appointed Mr. Lease as the first leader. Mrs. Schumaker thinks the Mr. Lease mentioned in this story must have been an ancestor of her family. Thus, we have the beginning of our church. From other information gleaned from conversations this was probably about 1839. Recently an article, discovered in an old bible purchased by an antique collector of our community, was published in the local newspaper, The Leader. This article was written in 1919 by Isaac Kay, M. D. Dr. Kay, in relating different activities in the community around 1840, speaks of the wagon maker, William Alloways, who came from New Jersey and established a thriving business. This wagonmakers’s shop was thoroughly cleaned up every Saturday evening for the religious services the next day. The Methodist folk availed themselves of its use long before they had a church building of their own.
Our church records show that William and Rachel Alloways sold to the Lewisburg Methodist Church one fifth of an acre for $50.00. The deed dated November 17, 1841, provided “they shall erect or cause to be erected a house of worship for the use of the members of Methodist Episcopal Church.” The trustees of the church at this time were: Daniel Leas, John Saylor, John E. Fall, Garland Harris, Thompson Leas, Daniel D. Rush, and Peter Ozias. Although this deed was dated November 17, 1841, it was not recorded until August 13, 1842.
According to the dates printed on the stained glass windows above the entrance of the old church we find the first church was erected in 1842. This was a brick building which stood until 1874. In 1841 there was a membership of fifty. In 1875 a new brick church building was erected at a cost of $3500.00. The first organ was purchased this year, and the membership roll now totals seventy five members.
The parsonage was built in 1887, under the pastorate of Rev. Henry Miller. In 1897 a new Sunday School room was added and new pews were installed. The church was carpeted and painted by the Society of Earnest Workers, at a cost of $101.34. New Memorial windows were put in the church: One to Lucy and Bithia Gay, by their friends, one to Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Ozias, one to the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Homan, one by the Junior Epworth League, and another by many different organizations. The first pulpit was purchased in Cincinnati at a cost of $125.00 and was made from a walnut trunk. It was placed in the center of the church with the altar rail in front of it. To the west of the altar was the choir and organ, and to the east were several rows of chairs which were known as the “Amen Corner”. Rev. Jonathan Verity preached the dedication sermon. Mrs. Ohio Deisher Fluhart and Mrs. Wells Singer played the organ for this occasion.
In 1941, under the pastorate of Rev. Walter Nash, the need for more Sunday School room was felt and we undertook the building of a basement and also installed a new furnace. This was completed in May of 1942 and dedicated on completion as the building pledges had been oversubscribed. It was estimated that 4000 hours of labor were donated.
According to official records, on February 22, 1956, Lewisburg became a station on trial for one conference year. Mr. Donald Dunn, seminary student, was appointed our pastor at a salary of $3200.00. While this was begun on a trial basis it has continued, and at the present time, with a membership of 212, we are paying a salary of $4500.00.
Previous to this, plans were being made to purchased the property to the north of the church. On February 23, 1957, the deed to Lot No. 117 from Karl J. and Elma B. Rhinehart was acquired at a price of $8500.00. This was paid off in a comparatively short time, under the pastorate of Rev. Donald Dunn.
In 1960 meetings were held to suggest the possibility of building an educational unit to the back of the church, due to the large number of children enrolled in the Sunday School. The majority felt that this was too large an undertaking at the present time and decided to put an additional floor in the present Sunday School room. A building committee was appointed and we finally started “Our Venture In Faith.” A Campaign raised cash and pledges of about $16,000.00. The remodeling was started early in 1961 and possible several months before this was completed, a disasterous [sic] fire burned the entire building to the ground. This was April 18, 1961. All the old treasures, the newer things, such as the organ, chimes, Bibles, and other furnishings were a complete loss. The beautiful stained glass windows melted as many of the members stood in awe. The structure fell and within a few hours we were without a church home The loss was estimated at $75,000.00.
The Sunday following the tragedy, we worshipped in the First Reformed Church [now First United Church of Christ] and then for some weeks went to the auditorium of the Lewisburg High School. In the early fall, we acquired from the Village Council, the use of the town hall. Painting, scrubbing and a little remodeling made this building habitable and we were happy in our worship each week. We held our last service in this building on January 13, 1963. During the severe weather, services were held in the Twin Valley Grange Hall.
On February 10, 1963, we moved into our new church building. Immediately after the fire we planned again to have a church and an enlarged building committee was appointed. Many, many long meetings were held by this committee, which visited other churches, interviewed architects and contractors, and met with the trustees and Official Board.
When it was found that a new drive for $20,000.00 was possible, in addition to the insurance for building and contents which amounted to $35,000.00, and the promise from the Board of Missions for a loan of $35,000.00, we were confident that we could rebuild. We held a congregational meeting, won approval of the plans, and with the theme “Tragedy to Triumph” we started to rebuild on our land.
The Groundbreaking Ceremony was held following worship service on Sunday morning, May 27, 1962 at 11:15 A.M. This service was conducted by Rev. Rodney Vernon. Everyone attending, children included, turned a shovel of dirt at the appointed time. The cornerstone laying took place on Thanksgiving Sunday, November 18, 1962. On Christmas morning, December 25, 1962, at 7 A.M., a joyful spiritual candle lighting service was held in the Sanctuary of the unfinished church. The church, cold from wintry blasts because the windows were not installed, was filled with warm hearted people professing their faith in and gratitude to God for this blessing. On February 10, 1963, we moved into the sanctuary, transferring all our activities. The church, although still needing many small finishing touches, has become a vital part of our community life.
On September 8, 1963, Rev. Hazen G. Werner, Bishop of Ohio Conference, conducted the consecration service. This was under the pastorate of our present minister, Rev. Arthur K. Wilson.
“We feel the building of this new church is one of the finest adventures on which a group of people can embark. It starts as a dream and progresses as people are willing to dedicate themselves to an ideal.” The above words from John Scotford truly portray the congregation of the Lewisburg Methodist Church as our dreams of Today—Fulfill the needs of Tomorrow.
The preceding history was taken verbatim from Reflections… 1852-1963, a booklet prepared following the construction of a new church building to replace the building destroyed by fire in 1961. All photographs and the sketch of the wagon shop have been added.
The new building was dedicated on Sunday, January 22, 1967 at 9:30 A.M. The scripture lesson that day was read by Rev. Rodney Vernon from 1 Kings 8:22-30. The pastoral prayer was given by Dr. Harold F. Kellogg, district superintendent of the Dayton District of the Methodist church. The dedication sermon was given by Bishop Francis Gerald Ensley, resident bishop of the Ohio West Area of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Dale Stockslager played the piano and Mrs. Ray Comp played the organ for this dedication service. Presentation of the new church was made by Mr. Lloyd Shively, chairman of the building committee, and was accepted by Bishop Ensley.
After the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1968, the Lewisburg Methodist Church adopted the name Calvary United Methodist Church.