HISTORY OF FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH
In December 1848, Dr.Ezra Keller of Wittenberg College in Springfield received a request to send someone to work for the establishment of a Lutheran church in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Brother Jacob Schaner along with D. Harbaugh arranged for a series of meetings beginning January 29, 1849. Although the night was dark and gloomy, a number met in the Old Indian Council House, which was at the east end of Johnson St. The meetings were held for three weeks and on February 1, 1849 at 10:00 AM, prayer meeting was held at Mother Miller’s home, a log house on the west side of 5th St. and north of the railroad.
On February 5th, an organizational meeting was held at Brother Wolford’s house after the prayer meeting. This house stood on the eastside of 4th Street. The constitution was signed by 14 persons. Membership increased to 35 before the meetings were over.
The council house soon became too small and beginning February 12th, services were changed to the Methodist Church.
The congregation grew under the leadership of Brother Schaner who remained until April 1850. On September 7, 1850, a new organizational meeting was held under the leadership of Rev. J. B. Oliver. $150.00 was received from the Home Mission Aid at this time. Membership was 51. The church was incorporated under the name: THE ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF UPPER SANDUSKY, OHIO.
In 1851, the young congregation bought lot 305 from Mary Morris on the northwest corner of Fifth and Finley for $100.00. A house of worship was built for a cost of $1,400.00. Slab seats were used for 5 years and the church was otherwise unfinished.
Rev. J. H. Hoffman came to lead the group and it would have no doubt prospered had he remained. In 1854 when he resigned due to ill health, membership had dropped to 19.
On November 20, 1854 Rev. J. G. Beckle came to Upper Sandusky and stayed for 3-1/2 years. During his ministry, membership increased to 40. When Rev. Beckle left, the church was without a pastor for 1-½ years. In 1857, Rev. A B. Kirkland came and served the congregation for 3- ½ years. Membership almost doubled with his leadership gaining back some numbers that were lost a few years before. After a vacancy of 6 months, Rev. George Hammer began his pastorate on April 1, 1861 and served until 1864. During this next period, the Civil War and other trying times placed more burdens on the struggling church and had it not been for a few faithful members, we might not have a church today.
The church remained vacant for over two years, being supplied for only 6 months by Brother Hauer from Carey, Ohio. In July 1866 Rev. W. J. Sloan undertook the charge. He found the field unpromising. Rev. Sloan left after 2 years in 1868. During the next 4 years the church was weakened and discouraged to the point that it was difficult to find a pastor. The synodical president said at the time, “A hopeless field unless a very efficient missionary can be secured who can be supported mainly by Missionary Aid for a few years, so he can devote all his time to that place.”
The Missionary Aid had been helping the church during its history.
For more than 4 years this discouraging and hopeless condition continued; in fact it stretched over 10 years. During those years the church had almost no existence. Many events contributed to this. The main causes were probably the short pastorates and frequent vacancies. The first pastor had the opportunity but he served only 15 months.
The church had what could have been a new beginning when Brother Simon Fenner came in September 1872. The congregation had been without a pastor for 4 ½ years and was in deplorable condition. A few members strongly kept the faith going. The church building itself was very dilapidated and had been pronounced unsafe. It was sold to the Free Methodist in 1873 for the amount of $585.
Services were held in other churches in town. Building a new church would be a great undertaking and not all were in favor of it in the beginning. With much talking, preaching and praying, the congregation agreed to a new building. As soon as they had $2,500.00 secured, they began. A lot on the northeast corner of 8th and Wyandot Ave. was purchased for price of $1,075. In the spring of 1879, work was begun. There were still a few who believed they could not finish the job. Despite the struggle, the new church was finished and dedicated on September 12, 1880.
The church was built when Rutherford B. Hayes was president of the United States and Upper Sandusky had a population of 350. There were 8 organized churches.
On November 1, 1881 Brother Fenner resigned, but agreed to stay until another pastor could be hired.
Rev. H. B. Blamer began his service March 1, 1882. The congregation had 35 members at the time. During the pastorate of Rev. Kirtland, there was growth and progress. On July 9, 1882, Rev. H. B. Blamer was installed as pastor. After 2 ½ years, he resigned, adding one more of the many too short pastorates.
In 1883, the Woman’s Missionary Society was organized and during this year, the first Catechistical class was formed.
Rev. J. W. Byers took charge of the church on December 14, 1884 and was installed on June 27, 1885. After another short term of service, he resigned on September 1, 1886.
On November 3, 1886 Rev. A. Shepard arrived on the field. He stated that the field was large and the congregation was apparently willing to cooperate.
In November 1888, Rev. Schafer resigned, again leaving the small congregation without a pastor.
On January 1, 1889, Rev. J. F. Kayhoe began his pastorate. In September 1890, he resigned.
Rev. J. M. Dustman received a call from the church in October 1890 and assumed his duty on January 1, 1891. He found the church to be in a fairly healthy condition in all areas. Rev. Dustman was installed as pastor November 1891. In July 1892, feeling that he was no longer useful to the church and "that my salary was inadequate to meet my expenses", Rev. Dustman resigned.
The first annual report of the English Lutheran Church covering January 1, 1891 to January 1, 1892 showed 60 sermons were given, 22 funerals were conducted, 34 prayer meetings were held, communion was given 4 times, 6 infants were baptized. Membership was 64. There were 17 marriages and 22 deaths. Pastor's salary and incidental expenses amounted to $750.00
From September 1, 1892 to February 1, 1895 the church was vacant except for a short period when a supply pastor came.
On February 1, 1895 Rev. A. K. Felton became pastor. On January 31, 1897, he resigned.
Rev. J. W. Byers served from January 1, 1898 until June 1, 1901 and on his last day, Rev. C. S. Ernsberger took charge and served over 6 years resigning on April 1, 1907.
On December 1, 1907 Rev. G. W. Thomas came to the church.
From February 1, 1913 until April 30,1917 Rev. Charles E. Berkey served the church.
After supplying the congregation once a month from September 1917, and arranging supply pastors for other Sundays, Rev. Charles F. Steck, Jr. became active pastor April 1,1918 coming from Hamma School of Theology in Springfield, Ohio. Leaving to accept a call from Westbrook Lutheran Church, Dayton, Rev. Steck resigned August 1, 1919.
After being vacant for a period of 16 weeks, the church welcomed Rev. W. L. Heuser who served from August 1, 1919 until September 15, 1921. The church was then vacant for 16 months.
The next pastor was Rev. Claude Allenbach who served the church from November 20, 1922 until July 15, 1927. Rev. W. H. Kibler was elected supply pastor on January 1, 1928 and assumed full charge May 13, 1928. Rev. Kibler resigned to take effect September 15, 1929. This pastorate was followed by a period of vacancy for 5 1/2 months.
On November 10, 1929, Rev. E. M. Potts was elected pastor and assumed duties as pastor March 1, 1930. During this time, a new sidewalk was laid at the church, a furnace was installed, a new roof was put on the church and Sunday School rooms were frescoed. A new Moller pipe organ was installed in 1930. The pastorate of Rev. Potts came to an end Dec. 1, 1932.
Rev. J. Henry Weissrock began his service January 14, 1933. The congregation was very active at this time. Wednesday evening services were revived. A pulpit was introduced and approved by the congregation. Shrubbery was planted around the church. The new Common Service book was purchased and introduced during the summer of 1933.
In 1933, the Ladies Aid made the final payment on the organ. A monthly newsletter was started. Other activity included the purchase of a stereopticon projector and building of cabinet for paraments. All indebtedness on the church was paid off in 1935.
Christmas services were begun in 1936. In 1937 the parsonage was shingled and new walks were poured at the parsonage and church. On May 15, 1938 the congregation voted unanimously to delete the word "English" from the name of the church and be known as First Lutheran Church. During this year, the church interior was redecorated and a new roof was installed over the Sunday School room.
The 90th Anniversary of the church was celebrated by special services in 1939. A U. S. flag and a Christian flag were given to the church. New linoleum and a new furnace were installed that year.
Junior Choir was organized in 1944. The church paid the benevolence in full as they had done the past 2 years. The Lutheran World Action quota was met.
The old parsonage was sold for $7,000 and a new one was purchased for $8,500 in 1947. The debt on parsonage was paid in full that year. Improvements on the parsonage were made to the amount of $1,200. Sunday School classes began meeting in the old parsonage which had been behind the West Wyandot Avenue church. The children were excited that each class had their own room and that there were nice bathroom facilities. The living room area became the meeting area for various groups within the church. A new communion set was given to the church. The pastor's salary was raised from $200 to $1,800.
In 1948 spouting, chimney and windows repaired on the church. The exterior of the church was painted and a new roof was placed on the tower.
The Centennial of the church was celebrated with four special services. On February 2, 1948 a Centennial commemoration service was held by Dr. W. E. Bradley. Members of 40 years or more were recognized. President of the synod Rev. G. W. Miley spoke at the February 6th Inferiorly Service. A musical vespers was conducted that same day. On February 9, the church celebrated with a birthday party. Many generous gifts and offerings were given to the Building Fund and the Memorial Trust Fund.
The largest confirmation class (17) of that pastorate was confirmed in 1951. Rev. Weissrock resigned July 1, 1951, due to ill health.
Rev. Andrew Kolarovsky from Hamma School of Theology came to the church June 1, 1952.
Catechetical instruction was increased from 2 to 3 years. In 1954 a junior choir was formed and new robes were purchased for the choir members.
In 1955, a new church site was purchased and the church located at 8th and Wyandot was sold. The first Vacation Bible School was held with an average attendance of 44.
Final services were held in the old church on June 17, 1956. The old church was torn down and the congregation broke ground July 15, 1956 for a new church.
On May 12, 1957 the congregation participated in a corner stone laying service.
Dedication of the new church building was conducted on November 3, 1957. Services had been held for 14 months at the South School and in the basement of the new church.
The year 1958 was a very significant one in the history of First Lutheran Church. On January 1, 1958, Rev. Kolarovsky resigned. An official call was sent to Rev. Charles C. Steward, a graduate of Wittenberg and Hamma Divinity School. He conducted his first service on May 18th and was installed August 24th. Pastor Steward faithfully served the members of First Lutheran for 40 years until he retired in 1998.
During his pastorate he baptized 529, received into membership 657 of which 267 were confirmation students. He joined 408 couples in marriage and conducted 501 funerals. Sermons totaled 2,550.
In 1958 the church nursery was organized, a new PA system was installed and new stoles were given to Ron Will, son of the congregation who is serving in the ministry in the Virgin Islands.
Lutheran Men was reorganized in 1959. Pro Deo Patria Award was presented to David Lear. Shrubbery and landscaping added to the beauty of the church building.
The church paid $11, 865 on debt retirement.
In 1961, the old parsonage at 304 S. 8th was sold for $8,600. A new parsonage was purchased for $15,500 at 511 Greenview. The outside of the church was painted.
More than 4,000 Lutherans met in Detroit, MI in 1962 to witness the merging of four Lutheran church bodies: Adjusting, United Evangelical, American Evangelical and Suomi. The new Lutheran Church in America had 3.2 million members. Missouri Synod and the American Lutheran each had 2.5 million members.
New paraments were purchased and $1,169.54 was paid on parsonage debt and $3,003.75 was paid on the church debt in 1962.
In 1965 a carpet fund and a fund to aid pre-theological students were started. Girl Scout awards were presented Jane Clark and Diana Sherman.
The mortgage on the parsonage was burned in 1966. The congregation participated in a pictorial church directory.
The parsonage lot at 514 Greenview was purchased for $1,800 in March 1967. In April work was started on the parsonage. The parsonage at 511 Greenview was sold for $16,500. The new parsonage was finished in 1967 at a cost of $25,360.55.
Pastor Steward's 10th anniversary as pastor was celebrated in 1968. The LUTHERAN magazine was sent to all homes.
New Jr. choir robes were purchased and the parsonage mortgage was burned in 1970.
In 1971 new carpeting was installed in the church. The parking lot was enlarged. Two new pianos were purchased in 1973. A part-time secretary was employed. Benevolence was 100% for the third year in a row. Pastor Steward's 15th year was celebrated. The church mortgage was burned.
1974 saw the first woman on council. Plans were underway to celebrate our 125th celebration including plates with the picture of the church and stationery.
In 1976 the church participated in the community's bi-centennial activities including a float
in the parade, community worship and banners. The kitchen was remodeled. This year the church attained the highest communing percentage ever.
The church paid benevolence 100% for the 7th straight year. New shrubbery was planted around the church. Also, in 1977 the Church Social was started again. The first confirmation camp was held. Plans for an addition to the church were underway.
In 1978, the Church gave $6,000 to the Hillsboro Mission. This was Pastor Steward's 20th year as Pastor.
The new addition was built at a cost of $72,355 and was dedicated in 1979. The church supported a missionary in Argentina and celebrated the 130th year of its founding.
In 1982, we participated in the Church Pictorial Directory again. 160 new hymnals were purchased in 1983 in addition to 3 new acolyte robes and an office typewriter.
In 1985, the parsonage was sold to Pastor Steward for $28,000.
In 1986-87 road signs with directions to the church were purchased. Other additions were a new refrigerator, a new church roof and a TV set for Sunday School. In December 1987, the church was featured in the LUTHERAN as being the one closest to the LCA's geographic center with a picture on the front cover. As of January 1988, the LUTHERAN CHURCH in AMERICA, the AMERICAN LUTHERAN CHURCH and the ASSOC. of EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHES united under the name: The EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH in AMERICA.
Beautiful new carpeting was installed in the sanctuary at a cost $6,992 in 1989. As part of the church's 140th anniversary, each family was recognized during worship service.
Pew cushions were installed and new green hymnals were introduced in 1996.
In 1998, an air conditioning was installed the sanctuary. This was also the year that Pastor Steward decided to retire. A dinner/roast was presented in his honor. Pastor and Lucille were presented with gift certificates and a money gift to help with trips they may wish to enjoy. A portrait of Pastor Steward was placed in the lobby of the church.
In 1998, Pastor Robert Gordon came to First Lutheran to serve as interim pastor.
These records of history were compiled up to 1999 by the late Rev. Charles Steward and the late Donna Spracklen.
CHURCH HISTORY 2009 – 2018
In 2008 the flat roof on the South Room was replaced with a sloped roof and new shingles were placed on the Cross Hall addition for a cost of $11,962. The Co-operative Ministry Board signed a covenant to work together as one body in December to be Lutherans In Faith for Everyone (LIFE) .
In 2009 LIFE Sr. Pastor Joe Trester was called in June to serve the three churches (First Evangelical, St. Paul and North Salem). LIFE Associate Pastor Jarrod Schaff was called in October. Tuesday With Life (TWL), a free community meal was started at St. Paul Lutheran with all three churches assisting with meal preparation. Eucharistic Ministry teams were formed to commune homebound members. A Church Cookbook was published. A community garden was created on the north lawn. Open Door Resource Center, a Christian community outreach non-profit, was established to assist with community needs.
In 2010 the LIFE Agreement & Constitution and By-Law Amendment with Mission Statement was approved. A pictorial directory with all three congregations for published. The North parking lot was resealed and both parking lots were stripped. Hand bells were purchased for the children.
A second refrigerator was purchased for TWL frozen food donations from Harvest Food Program participant Bob Evans in 2011. A new office computer and copier were purchased with old models being donated to Open Door Resource Center. Fundraising was started for new roof for church to be work to start next spring for cost of $60,000.
The original dossal curtain was replaced behind altar for $500. Children’s Bell Choir started.
During 2013 several LIFE ministries were started. REACH program served children with creative craft/hobby classes held on Saturdays during April. The Stephan Ministry individuals completed training and started its outreach. God’s Work, Our Hands”, an ELCA project was started. The landscaping was updated for $2515.84.
In 2014 Pr. Jarrod Schaff resigned and Interim Molly King was hired as LIFE pastor.
In 2015 the Sunday School children at First organized a Food for the Poor fundraiser and were able to purchase four donkeys at $150 each. Of course, adult members of the congregation got caught up in the fun of collecting offering money. LIFE proposed a merger into one congregation but First voted to separate and remain an independent congregation. LIFE dissolved in October 2015.
Interim Pastor Rev. Richard Weaver was hired in 2016. During the Flint, MI lead water crisis, a total of $2002.77 was collected and taken to Salem Lutheran Church, a small congregation which was affected but reaching out to its neighbors with clean water. Members gave Cross Hall a paint uplift. A new color copier was installed.
Funds were accepted from the Olpp Family Trust with emphasis on scholarships per the trust guidelines in 2017. Rev. Kathleen Shuck was called as part-time pastor in May 2017.
In 2018 new brown tween carpeting was installed in the sanctuary, south room and cross hall. This was the third time for new sanctuary carpet. The original bathrooms and sacristy flooring were also replaced. First also began helping with Open Door's Chocolate Walk held in Septembers where businesses and organizations would hand out different style of chocolate. People get tickets for the fundraiser and a map and then go to collect their goodies.
Rita Bennett
Secretary 1993-2010
2019 brought growth to our church, more families attending. We gathered together young and old to host a Pork Chop BBQ. In October of 2019 we also celebrated 170 years as a church. This was a wonderful time spent together enjoying the history of our church as we welcomed back Rev. Julianne Smith and also Rev. Jarrod Schaaf to participate on Sundays. We also shared a worship service with Bishop Daniel Beaudoin. Bowling, Dinners and Ice Cream Sundaes were enjoyed with a Upper Sandusky Church Scavenger Hunt as well. We also voted to approve the install of a new sound system for the church. This was installed by Sound Solutions (in 2020) at a cost of $12,704. New windows for the Cross Hall Wing were also approved for council and work began in 2019 and carried into 2020.
2020...what a year to report on! First Evangelical started out pretty strong, great leadership and promising future. However, the world began to slow down and then STOP. March 15, 2020 the council made a hard decision to suspend all worship services and activities until further notice due to the World Outbreak of the Coronavirus (Covid). Pastor Kathy Shuck and Secretary Kristin Ealy wasted no time in planning and carrying out Facebook and YouTube Worship. Starting with recording from separate cities and then when able they would meet safely each week recording and mixing a worship service together with technology we were able to distribute "CHURCH" each Sunday. Several members also would record themselves reading parts of Worship and Scripture and sending to Kristin to put together a video worship service. Pastor Kathy quickly learned a TON of technology utilizing programs such as Zoom to "have meetings" with Synod and clusters to navigate through this pandemic. She also went LIVE almost every morning at 9:46 to do a short devotion and prayer. In July of 2020, we began to hold parking lot services. Using a radio transmitter we were able to "broadcast" the worship led by Pastor Kathy on the Cross Hall "porch". Many attended these outdoor services! The Council along with Pastor Kathy made the decision to hold indoor worship (with spacing and protocols) beginning in September and that we would base whether we were inside or outside on the County Emergency color levels. We also began our Lutheran World Relief backpack collection for the first time in 2020. The County spiked again and in November 2020 we were once again only offering online worship. This continued through until Palm Sunday of 2021. In November of 2020 it was approved by Council and sent to the congregation in Decembers to donate to the Rev. Charles C. Steward Scholarship Fund. Pastor Steward had passed away and a scholarship was being made in his honor. We wanted to show appreciation and gratitude to the family by gifting $20,000 to get this started. Due to Covid shutdowns this was however not approved until April 2021.
2021 Palm Sunday we returned together in worship inside God's House! It was a glorious time to be able to worship once again together. We continued to come back and worship each Sunday together with online opportunities still available. In 2021 we began our monthly missions, we pick a different organization or group to receive monies from our congregation.
2022 brought us much of the same. Continued to move through this "new world" attempting to keep moving along and focusing on mission driven work within our congregation.
updated by Kristin Ealy, secretary
2023-2024 CHURCH HISTORY
Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continued with little additions to worship as previously known. Reduced attendance has been felt as younger families are slow to return to worship. Monthly missions continue with support going local, churchwide, and other needs. The Men’s Lenten Luncheon was opened to all in an attempt to increase community participation. Retirement of Pr. Kathy was celebrated with catered dinner and special worship service and community open house.
2024 brought Rev. Dr. Mark Rich to First as our Interim. College scholarship distribution was increased. Thursday eve worship was held in June and July. Study groups were held on a variety of topics reflecting how Christianity changed with Jesus’ teachings. Transition team was formed to lead the congregation toward the call process through looking at our heritage, leadership, connections, mission and future.
updated by Rita Bennett
Name changes throughout history
Amendment to Constitution – dated May 15, 1938
Amendment
- Upon recommendation of the Church Council, the congregation voted unanimously to delete the word “English” from the name of the church and be known as “First Lutheran Church.” Sunday, May 15, 1938.
NOTE: hand-written constitution for “First English Lutheran Church” dated 1933 was the first thing written in Book II of the “English Evangelical Lutheran Church from January 1, 1919! (And I think it appears to be written in Rev. J. H. Weissrock’s hand.
Regular session of Church Council minutes dated December 30, 1929 calls church “English Lutheran Church.” Minutes of Annual congregational Meeting dated January 5, 1930 calls the church “First English Lutheran Church.” Minutes from August 26, 1929 meeting of church council calls the church “English Lutheran Church.” At that same meeting a typed resignation letter from Rev. Kibler refers to the “First English Lutheran Church”. Minutes continue to reflect business of “English Lutheran Church.”
“The application for incorporation was filed July 24, 1984 in the Dept. of State at Columbus, and Articles of Incorporation issued by the Sec. of State, July 29, 1884.” Recorded by Rev. H.B. Belmer (The English Evangelical Lutheran Church of Upper Sandusky, O) “Trustees will be no longer necessary and the church council is the legal representative of the church.”
nothing found documenting a name change except for the constitutional amendment at the beginning from 1938. Didn’t find any reference to how “First” got connected or how “Evangelical” got dropped! Early historical information about church was recorded by ministers.
SONS OF THE CONGREGATION
Ronald Eugene Will was born April 29, 1932 the son of Mr. and Mrs. Everett Will. He was confirmed March 25, 1945 and graduated from Wittenberg College in 1955 and from Hamma School of Theology in 1958. He served a mission in St. Croix, Virgin Islands
Milton Earl Chadwick was born July 27, 1943, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Chadwick. He was baptized October 31, 1943 and confirmed November 10, 1957. After graduation from Wittenberg in 1965 and Hamma June 16, 1969, he was ordained at First Lutheran on June 16, 1969. His first congregation was Emmanuel Lutheran in Germantown, OH.
SOME INTERESTING FACTS:
The first recorded baptism was December 25, 1882 for Laura A. Hoffman in her parents’ home.
Albert Clinton Smith was baptized June 30, 1883, the first recorded church baptism.
First recorded marriage was January 17, 1883 uniting Adam Reed and Rebecca Reely in the Reely home.
The first recorded funeral was conducted for Michael Sterner on April 3, 1882.