A Brief History Of Christ United Methodist Church

The roots of Christ United Methodist Church were in a tiny congregation of the United Brethren in Christ Church located on East Walnut and Arthur Streets in 1887. The congregation moved into a new building at the corner of Center and East Washington Streets in 1893 (now the home of Heritage Baptist Church). The church continued to grow in numbers, and by the early 1950’s “church boom,” had severely outgrown its quarters. The foresight of our mothers and fathers in the faith was the purchase of the property at our current location in the mid-1950’s. Many of our members still remember persons saying, “Nobody will ever go to church out there!” Because of this foresight and commitment and the leadership of longtime pastor, The Rev. Paul W. Frees (served 1945-1976), the church opened its doors here on Claremont Avenue and Smith Road in 1958.

This church is also a microcosm of 20^th century America Protestant Church history in the series of mergers we have experienced. In 1946 the United Brethren joined the Evangelical Church to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church and we became First Evangelical United Brethren of Ashland. In 1968, that denomination merged with the former Methodist Church and we were renamed Christ United Methodist Church.

Following Rev. Frees, other pastors who have been appointed to Christ UMC are K. Ward (Assoc), John Landrum, Michael O’Donnell (Assoc) , Dale R. Turner, G. Mae Booth (Assoc), Larry L. Marshall, Tom McFarren, Amy Shaw (Assoc), Lori Burdette (Assoc), Deborah D. Ulrich (Diaconal Minister), Thomas A. Snyder, and currently James J. Cox with Jane Jacques (volunteer Deacon under Appointment).

The continually growing congregation and expanding music program resulted in the expansion of the sanctuary in 1969, with the building of the pipe organ by the Schantz Organ Company of Orrville. The music program was enhanced by a long-tenured organist, Mary Rupple (served 1967-1998) and a series of strong music directors: Robert Stoffer, Leo Jones, Mike Metcalf and our current Director of Music and Organist, the Rev. Dr. David deSilva. Anne Oberholtzer has faithfully served as director of our children’s and handbell choirs for 44 yrs. Choral music, handbell music ministry, annual children’s musicals and music as an extension ministry to the nursing homes makes this area of ministry one of our strongest areas of Christian witness.

Another long-time steward of our church family is our custodian, Carol Lee who has faithfully cared for our building for 38 years.

The history of a church only has meaning when it is foundational for ongoing ministries and provides roots for an evolving vision and ministry in the future. Christ Church has always had a strong mission emphasis with support of local, national, international, denominational, and interdenominational missions. Our current mission and vision statements were adopted in 2001. As a Stephen Ministry congregation, we not only believe in the life-changing power and the divine in every human life but in translating that holy energy into daily acts of service and love.