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Greenfield First United Methodist Church
History of Greenfield First United Methodist Church:
In 1784, the American Revolution and John Wesley opened the way for the establishment of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States. Methodism came to the Greenfield about two decades later when an itinerant preacher held services in 1804 at the farm of John Robbins on Buckskin Creek in Ross County.
Methodists later met at the home of Michael Hare, and subsequently at the home of Charles White on Rapid Forge Road. The mantel of the present Memorial Room and the four-pointed star above it came from the room used for services at the White home.
In 1822 the First Methodist Church was organized in Greenfield. Meeting places included the Log School House on the Old Burial Ground and the cabinet shop of John Boyd. A brick church was built on E. Mirabeau Street in 1828, and a stone church was constructed in 1833.
Many circuit-riding ministers visited the Greenfield Charge during this early period, with 51 listed in the church records from 1804-41.
The next home of the Methodists was at Mirabeau and Second Streets. While under construction in 1860, the building was destroyed by a tornado. The church was rebuilt in 1863, destroyed by fire in 1880, and rebuilt again in 1882.
By 1900 a larger church was needed. Edward Lee McClain proposed the building of a church with facilities for social and institutional work. A site was purchased on the corner of Fourth and South Streets, and on November 11, 1902 the cornerstone was laid for the first institutional church known in Ohio.
Institutional features included reading rooms in the basement, two fully equipped bathing departments, each containing Turkish, Russian, shower, tub and plunge baths, lavatory, lockers and dressing rooms, and a splendidly equipped gymnasium.
The Institutional Methodist Church was dedicated June 6, 1904, which also marked the 100th anniversary of Methodism in the Greenfield area. Great revivals occurred during this golden era of the church, with membership at about 1,000.
A souvenir program noted the church's beauty: "In addition to the fine ornamental windows, handsome domes and the windows donated to the Sunday School, we have been very fortunate in having presented to us three most beautiful figure windows, all executed by the Tiffany Studios of New York."
GREENFIELD'S CALAMITY was the headline in the Greenfield Republican of May 1, 1910 . The newspaper described how "the First M.E. Church, the pride of the city and one of the finest church edifices in the state," was wiped out by fire, with the loss set at more than $100,000.
The present Methodist Church was built on the foundation of the church that burned. Work commenced in May 1911 and was completed in October 1912.
The new church was furnished in a style similar to that of the previous building, with art glass by J. & R. Lamb of New York and a pipe organ installed by the Estey Organ Company of Brattleboro, Vermont.
The next several decades were relatively tranquil. One highlight was the establishment of the Memorial Room in 1937 for literary and social purposes.
The sanctuary was remodeled to its current style in 1941. Previously the chancel had been in the Akron style, with the organ situated in the center and the pipes exposed (as in the Presbyterian Church today).
More remodeling took place in 1951. Until this time there was a two-story Sunday School auditorium, with the balcony located where the current high school and junior high rooms are found. As a result of this renovation, one of the church's two domes was covered over. The project resulted in more space for classrooms, offices and a new chapel.
On April 23, 1968, the Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church. All participating churches became part of the United Methodist Church.
Many improvements have been made to the church since the 1960s, including: rebuilding pipe organ, 1965; elevator installation, 1971; handbells, 1976; carillons, 1980; padding of pews and overhead fans, 1980s; brass chandeliers for Memorial Room, 1990; walnut cross, 1992; lights for stained glass windows, 1993; Advent wreath, 1994; bookcase for Memorial Room, 1999.
The church's mission is "To Love As Jesus Loves." Members have tried to follow the example of Jesus Christ both locally and by participation in missions to other countries through giving and on mission trips. The church is active in the Greenfield Area Ministerial Association, which operates the Christian Center and New Directions youth ministry.
Rev. Larry Poling and his wife Rose served Greenfield FUMC from 2004-06, when Rev. Poling had to step aside due to health issues. Rev. Mac Nicholson was assigned as interim pastor in November 2006.
One of Greenfield's first community bicentennial-related events took place at First UMC in October 1997. The vesper service featured pastors and musicians from many local churches and helped set a tone of optimism, cooperation, respect for the past and faith in the future. Other observances of the bicentennial have taken place in recent years, capped by a visit from the bishop on October 24, 2004. Bishop Bruce Ough delivered a stirring message, and those in attendance were moved by the sounds of the refurbished and expanded pipe organ played by David Pettit, whose father, the late Howard Pettit, was the pastor of the local Methodist Church from 1965-71.
As Greenfield First UMC looks ahead to the challenges and opportunities to come, there is still much work to be done. With God's blessing, the church will continue in the tradition of John Wesley to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.
In 1784, the American Revolution and John Wesley opened the way for the establishment of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States. Methodism came to the Greenfield about two decades later when an itinerant preacher held services in 1804 at the farm of John Robbins on Buckskin Creek in Ross County.
Methodists later met at the home of Michael Hare, and subsequently at the home of Charles White on Rapid Forge Road. The mantel of the present Memorial Room and the four-pointed star above it came from the room used for services at the White home.
In 1822 the First Methodist Church was organized in Greenfield. Meeting places included the Log School House on the Old Burial Ground and the cabinet shop of John Boyd. A brick church was built on E. Mirabeau Street in 1828, and a stone church was constructed in 1833.
Many circuit-riding ministers visited the Greenfield Charge during this early period, with 51 listed in the church records from 1804-41.
The next home of the Methodists was at Mirabeau and Second Streets. While under construction in 1860, the building was destroyed by a tornado. The church was rebuilt in 1863, destroyed by fire in 1880, and rebuilt again in 1882.
By 1900 a larger church was needed. Edward Lee McClain proposed the building of a church with facilities for social and institutional work. A site was purchased on the corner of Fourth and South Streets, and on November 11, 1902 the cornerstone was laid for the first institutional church known in Ohio.
Institutional features included reading rooms in the basement, two fully equipped bathing departments, each containing Turkish, Russian, shower, tub and plunge baths, lavatory, lockers and dressing rooms, and a splendidly equipped gymnasium.
The Institutional Methodist Church was dedicated June 6, 1904, which also marked the 100th anniversary of Methodism in the Greenfield area. Great revivals occurred during this golden era of the church, with membership at about 1,000.
A souvenir program noted the church's beauty: "In addition to the fine ornamental windows, handsome domes and the windows donated to the Sunday School, we have been very fortunate in having presented to us three most beautiful figure windows, all executed by the Tiffany Studios of New York."
GREENFIELD'S CALAMITY was the headline in the Greenfield Republican of May 1, 1910 . The newspaper described how "the First M.E. Church, the pride of the city and one of the finest church edifices in the state," was wiped out by fire, with the loss set at more than $100,000.
The present Methodist Church was built on the foundation of the church that burned. Work commenced in May 1911 and was completed in October 1912.
The new church was furnished in a style similar to that of the previous building, with art glass by J. & R. Lamb of New York and a pipe organ installed by the Estey Organ Company of Brattleboro, Vermont.
The next several decades were relatively tranquil. One highlight was the establishment of the Memorial Room in 1937 for literary and social purposes.
The sanctuary was remodeled to its current style in 1941. Previously the chancel had been in the Akron style, with the organ situated in the center and the pipes exposed (as in the Presbyterian Church today).
More remodeling took place in 1951. Until this time there was a two-story Sunday School auditorium, with the balcony located where the current high school and junior high rooms are found. As a result of this renovation, one of the church's two domes was covered over. The project resulted in more space for classrooms, offices and a new chapel.
On April 23, 1968, the Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church. All participating churches became part of the United Methodist Church.
Many improvements have been made to the church since the 1960s, including: rebuilding pipe organ, 1965; elevator installation, 1971; handbells, 1976; carillons, 1980; padding of pews and overhead fans, 1980s; brass chandeliers for Memorial Room, 1990; walnut cross, 1992; lights for stained glass windows, 1993; Advent wreath, 1994; bookcase for Memorial Room, 1999.
The church's mission is "To Love As Jesus Loves." Members have tried to follow the example of Jesus Christ both locally and by participation in missions to other countries through giving and on mission trips. The church is active in the Greenfield Area Ministerial Association, which operates the Christian Center and New Directions youth ministry.
Rev. Larry Poling and his wife Rose served Greenfield FUMC from 2004-06, when Rev. Poling had to step aside due to health issues. Rev. Mac Nicholson was assigned as interim pastor in November 2006.
One of Greenfield's first community bicentennial-related events took place at First UMC in October 1997. The vesper service featured pastors and musicians from many local churches and helped set a tone of optimism, cooperation, respect for the past and faith in the future. Other observances of the bicentennial have taken place in recent years, capped by a visit from the bishop on October 24, 2004. Bishop Bruce Ough delivered a stirring message, and those in attendance were moved by the sounds of the refurbished and expanded pipe organ played by David Pettit, whose father, the late Howard Pettit, was the pastor of the local Methodist Church from 1965-71.
As Greenfield First UMC looks ahead to the challenges and opportunities to come, there is still much work to be done. With God's blessing, the church will continue in the tradition of John Wesley to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.