In the year of 1899, a tent meeting was held on Eastern Avenue by Bro. Elihu Key and Elihu Brogg, ministers of the Church of God.  Not long after, a few of God's children began conducting cottage prayer meetings in their homes.  For a time those meetings were held monthly in the homes of George Hammege, Sr. and John P. Warren.  Gideon Detwiler and wife, former workers at the Gospel Trumpet office, moved to our city.  These godly people were such a help and inspiration to our work.  As we had no public place of worship we began holding services on Sunday in the home of Bro. and Sister Warren.  God blessed in these services.  Now and then, others were added to our numbers, among these were Sister Minnie Slicer and Bro. Wm. Patterson.  Occasionally a minister passing through would stop with us for a service and sometimes for a few days.

 

Eventually a store room was rented on W. Columbus Ave.  A revival was held later in the year of 1904.  A hall was rented where services were held regularly until the little church building was erected on the corner of Evansville and Chillicothe.  In 1906 Bro. and Sister Charlie Parker gave the church a lot on the corner of West and Williams.  It was sold and the single lot was bought on Evansville Street.  The church was built in 1907.

 

Bro. H. M. Riggle held the first revival in the winter of 1909.  Wm. G. Schell became the first pastor the fall of 1910 and served a year.  Bro. G. J. Detwiler, William Patterson and E. E. Shaw of the local congregation, very faithfully filled our pulpit when we were unable to get a minister.  The congregation was small, but those who attended were loyal and God blessed them for their labors.  During the time we were without a pastor, special attention was given our Sunday School, which thrived under the capable leadership of Sister Nora Fields, the superintendent, and her staff of teachers.

 

Our next pastor was Bro. J.E. Sheefal and wife, who took the work in Sept. 17, 1922.  Bro. Sheefel sold and repaired Maytag washers to supplement their income.  During the seven years of their loyal service, three Sunday School rooms and a basement were added to the little church building.  Dedication took place the last Sunday in July 1927.  Bro. E. E. Cline of Lima gave the sermon.

 

Bro. E. E. Caldwell took the pastorate in April 1, 1930.  Sister Sarah Massey answered the call and became our pastor Feb. 1931, laboring faithfully for six years.  The year of 1937 Bro. L. Roy Lee, with his fine wife, gave us their wholehearted service for almost three years.

 

Bro. Fred Pinyoun and wife served as pastor from 1940 to Dec. 1945.  During this time the renovation of the little church took place, a new baptistry was built, rooms rearranged, and the outside bricked.

 

Bro. and Sister Von Chesterman lovingly served us from Jan. 1946 to April 1951, Bro. Francis Cummins from Aug. 1951 to Jan. 1954.  The parsonage at Chillicothe and Evansville was built at this time.

 Bro. J. L. Hatchel served from May 1954 to August 1951.  Bro. Tom Smith accepted the call to replace Bro. Withrow as youth and music director, 1956 – 1958.

Bro. Malcolm McDonald came as pastor 1957 – 1963.  Assistant pastor was Bro. Edmund Koch, 1962 – 1963.

Bro. Cecil Mayle was pastor from March 1964 – 1970.  The 6 acres on E. Brown Avenue was bought at this time.  Bro. Marvin Middlebrooks served as youth leader, 1970 - 1971.  (Excerpts from Jenny Wagner & Viola Wagner’s diaries.)

Tom E. Smith came as pastor in 1971.  Bill Keefer, also, came in 1971 as assistant and left 1972.  Bro. Lester Hyslip served as Minister of Visitation, 1978 – 1979.

In September 1972, construction was begun on the $450,000.00 edifice where we now worship.  Nearly 800 attended the first worship service on September 16, 1973.  To allow for expansion, two additional acres were purchased in 1984.

 

Gary G. Swogger was called to serve in December 1983, after the resignation of Bro. Tom Smith in June 1983.  Jimmy Swogger served as Minister of Youth and Visitation under his father and Neil Anderson was associate pastor during this time.  Bro. Ronald Irick was called as associate pastor in September 1993.  Serving in that position until the resignation of Bro. Swogger in December 1997.

Gary Brown was called as Senior Pastor in January 1999.  Jimmie Ashford served as Youth Pastor June 1999 to October 2004.  Kathy Webert served as Children’s Pastor September 2002 to September 2006.  Ray Headings started serving as Senior Adult Pastor April 2003.  Travis Risner served as Youth Pastor July 2005 to December 2007.  New Multipurpose building and remodeling of the existing sanctuary completed April 2007.  Heather Coppel started serving as Children’s Pastor April 2007.    Gary Brown resigned April 2008.

Carl & Valerie Addison served as interim Pastor from May 2008 to February 2009.

 

C. J. Plogger was called as Senior Pastor in February 2009.  Heather Coppel served as Children's Pastor April 2007 to October 2009.