1834-2009

PREFACE

Historical material of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church has been difficult to find as records were not kept in an orderly manner during the early years of the church. Most of the material was found in old church records that were found in the homes of members of the congregation.

It appears that Rev. Carl Kessler gathered as much historical material as he could find to present at the church’s centennial anniversary in 1936.

In 1953 Pastor Robert Secrist gleaned Synod records for the 120th anniversary and using material of all other available sources along with the work of previous efforts, put together a history and made it a part of church files.

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the congregation additional information was added to bring the history up to date. In 2009 the previous writings were incorporated into the current history of St. Peter to commemorate the congregation's 175th anniversary.

ST. PETER EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

The roots of St. Peter’s goes back deep into the history of the United States of America. On July 4, 1776, the colonists renounced further allegiance to the British Crown, and each state or colony then claimed jurisdiction over the soil embraced within its charter. Into this vast new territory a flood of settlers came seeking a new life, opportunity and freedom of religion. Among them were Lutherans from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. Their religious life was very important to them as they worshiped as family in the log homes or as families joined together to worship.

Missionary pastors and circuit riders were a very important part of the spreading of the gospel and the organizing of churches. The circuit rider was a minister who went to the people, preaching the gospel and attending to other duties ascribed to a minister, such as marriages, funerals, counseling and organizing congregations; also bringing news. Some circuit riders were ordained ministers; some were not. They led a very rough life, spending days in the saddle and nights in the home of a parishioner.

On March 5, 1816 sections 20 and 21 of Wayne County were name Chester Township. On October 5, 1818, section 21 was renamed Congress Township, leaving section 20 as Chester Township. On March 6, 1829, New Pittsburg was laid out by George H. Howey. During this period many churches were organized. The Lutheran Church of New Pittsburg was among them.

Although the minister who started the congregation is not known, he may have been one of several pioneer pastors who worked in this section of the state as a circuit rider who visited various groups of Lutherans from time to time conducting preaching services among them. There are records that some of them organized congregations near here about the time our congregation is thought to have started.

From tradition it seems that the Lutheran Church at New Pittsburg was organized somewhere between 1830 and 1835. In 1819, ¼ mile west of New Pittsburg, Christian Rice bought a farm of 160 acres. It is believed that it was on this farm that a log church was built in 1836, just west of the village and at the place where the cemetery now is located. The church is said to have stood just west of the drive which enters the cemetery from US 250. A deed in the archives, dated 1835, and made out to the German Lutheran and Reformed Church at Fox Run, substantiated this belief. According to History of East Ohio Synod, in 1849, there were about 56 active members. The log church was used until about 1859, when a frame building was built at the present site.

Although the early records of the New Pittsburg Lutheran Church are very incomplete, on four pages in the middle of the older of the two record books of the congregation, there are records of a few baptisms performed between 1833 and 1850 by the Rev. S. S. Klein, Andrew Kuhn, G. Spangler and G. Leiter. It must be noted that a minister performing a baptism is not necessarily the minister of the church or group.

Anyone of the above mentioned preachers might have been the one who began the work here. Rev. S. S. Klein was probably the pastor at the log church from 1843 (1839) until 1844 or later because baptisms performed during that time were by him. Rev. G. Spangler conducted baptisms in 1848. Rev. Andrew Kuhn baptized an infant in Aug. 1849.

Rev. George Leiter probably served this parish from July 1849 until 1855. According to records of other churches, New Pittsburg at that time was a part of the Reedsburg parish, which included Reedsburg, Jeromesville and Plain Lutheran.

The following which is in our church record book, is dated April 13, 1857. “At a regular meeting of the Evangelical Lutheran Church congregation near New Pittsburg, the following persons were nominated and elected as officers: Frederick Rice, and Isaac Well for elders and Daniel Stein, L.W. France and Peter Speck for deacons. At the same time Peter Speck was elected treasurer for the congregation for two years; Isaac Well, president and Peter Speck, secretary.” June 1857 Michael Speck, Peter Speck and Henry Hiner, Jr. were elected as trustees of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Pittsburg. “

According to a copy of the warranty deed, the land where the present church stands was purchased from Daniel Hiner in 1857, by Micheal Speck, Peter Speck and Henry Hiner, Jr., trustees of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of New Pittsburg, for the sum of sixty dollars. A church was built and dedicated in 1859. This was a frame structure with a tall belfry and steeple.

Rev. Jacob Fry was the pastor of New Pittsburg from May 15, 1859 until January, 1861. It was immediately after his pastorate that the New Pittsburg congregation withdrew from the Reedsburg Charge and became affiliated with the Rowsburg Charge. In the Rowsburg church record it is stated in December 1869 that the charge was composed of New Pittsburg, Brick Church, Orange, and Rowsburg. From June, 1861, until May 1863, the parish was served by Rev. William Gilbraith. Rev. George Leiter again became pastor from December 1863 until May 1865.

On March 18, 1891, during the pastorate of Rev. N. H. Weaver, the Joint Church Council decided to purchase a property in Rowsburg for a parsonage. Rowsburg was to pay $650.00, New Pittsburg, $550.00 and Pleasant Valley, $200.00. On March 16, 1896, Rev. W. C. B. Harris was extended a call. He was still in the Wittenberg Seminary at Springfield. He was officially installed Nov. 1, 1896.

New Pittsburg’s present church building was started in 1904 and dedicated on May 14, 1905, during the pastorate of Rev. Harris. The approximate cost was $5655.58, much of the labor being donated by the members. The contractor was R. S. Peters. The speaker for both the morning and evening services on the day of dedication was the President of Wittenberg College. The building committee was: L. Z. Hiner, F. P. Rice, P. C. Firestone, and R. S. Peters. Rev. Harris resigned May 30, 1907.

A newspaper clipping dated May 2, 1904:
The Lutheran church building will be removed this week and ground gotten in readiness for the new structure, upon which work will soon begin. The architect being R. S. Peters, contractor and builder. While the new church is being reared the Lutherans will hold their various services in the old M. E. church, or at least for a time.
Rev. Harris delivered Sunday evening his last sermon in the old church, it being sort of a fare well sermon. In connection with the sermon, he gave some interesting history of the present church. The Lutheran church at this place had its origin in l835, the building being west of town, then called the “Little Log.’’ A frame structure was erected in the same vicinity and the worshippers gathered there until 1858, when the present structure was erected and located in the east end of the village. From then till now, 46 years, it has stood the test of time and now followed by a grander and more imposing structure, from which the same old story and the same truths will be proclaimed from the sacred desk. The pastor longest connected with the charge was Rev. I. N. Keiffer from 1876 to 1886. The present pastor, Rev. Harris, being next in number of years service, his coming here in January, 1896, being here now over eight years. We trust that he may remain on this charge for many years to come.
Rev. John (Father) Stough (Stauch) was born in York County, PA, and spent many years as a circuit rider in western Pennsylvania and Virginia. In 1804 he came to Ohio and settled in Jefferson County, being the first ordained Lutheran minister to cross the Alleghenies. He was a German Lutheran. In 1805 he organized Good Hope Church in Columbiana County. He established a large number of Lutheran churches in eastern Ohio and might have started this one.

Rev. G. K. Mykland accepted a call for May 7, 1911. He took over the Reedsburg charge in connection with the Rows charge, making him five churches to serve. He moved to the Reedsburg parsonage, On November 29, 1912, the Rows Joint Council decided to sell the parsonage at Rowsburg. Rev. Mykland resigned this charge in November, 1913, and accepted a call to Grand Forks, North Dakota.

On December 6, 1913 the Joint Council appointed a committee to purchase a parsonage for the three churches. The committee included P. C. Firestone, of New Pittsburg. Property was bought at New Pittsburg April 1, 1914 for $800.00; New Pittsburg paying $400.00, Rowsburg $260.00, and Pleasant Valley, $140.00.

Rev. Charles F. Sheriff, a student at Wittenberg Seminary, came to supply this charge during the summer of 1914 and the following winter. Rev. Sheriff accepted a call here January 10, 1915. The Social Room at the New Pittsburg church was dedicated during Dedicatory and Reformation Services held November 25, to Deccember 2, 1917, during the pastorate of Rev. Sheriff. Rev. L. S. Keyser, D. D., of Wittenberg College and Divinity School, preached the Dedicatory sermon. The building committee was Peter Firestone, chairman; Dennis Hiner, David Glasgow, R. S. Peters, Frank Rice and Jacob Lingle. The finance committee was L. Z. Hiner, Chairman, Ray Swinehart, Secretary, Russell Rice, Treasurer, John Hiner, Wayne Swinehart and C.M. Bowman. The approximate cost was. $2500.00. Rev. Sheriff resigned in September, 1918.

In May 1922, Rev. C. H. Starkey became pastor. In December 1924 the church was modernized by the installation of electricity at, a cost of $621.95. Rev. Starkey resigned in April, 1930. O.C. Kramer, D.D. served this parish from June 1930 to Feb. 1934.

Rev. Carl M. Kessler came to the parish Oct. 1, 1934 and served until July 30, 1939. Twenty-three persons had been received into the New Pittsburg Church during his pastorate, and there were seventeen infant baptisms in the church. The parochial report to the Synod of Ohio for 1935 and listed in the minutes for 1936 stated the baptized -membership of the New Pittsburg Church as being 174, the confirmed membership 130, and the communing membership 116. Rev. Kessler died from multiple sclerosis shortly after leaving the Rows Parish. Rev. W. H. Baker served the parish from March 16, 1940 to December 31, 1948. In 1949 John R. Long, student at Hamma Divinity School, took the position of summer supply pastor.

In 1950 an Electronic Wurlitzer Organ was installed and paid for; and the interior of the church was redecorated. This was done during the pastoral vacancy.

In 1950, Pastor Robert Harold Secrist was installed on July 17. Also in 1950 the parsonage was redecorated inside. In 1951 a garage was built at the parsonage by the men of the parish. In 1952 folding chairs were purchased by the Brotherhood Class, a new portable lectern by Irma Hiner Society; a children’s altar and hymn board, built by Richard and Audrey Snader were dedicated, and hymn book racks were added to the pews in the church.

On March 18, 1952 the church was incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio and under the name of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

A church constitution was adopted March 30, 1952.

Pastor Secrist received “Rural Minister of the Year” award given by “Ohio Farmer” magazine. On June 27, 1954 Pastor Secrist submitted his resignation. It became effective Aug. 8, 1954.

On September 19, 1954 the 120th anniversary of St. Peter’s was celebrated. George W. Miley, Pres. of Ohio Synod, Rev. Charles Sheriff and Rev. C. H. Starkey, former pastors were speakers.

After Rev. Secrist left, and during the summer of 1955, the pulpit was ably filled by Pastor Bob’s brother-in-law, James R. Stull. James was a seminary student at Wittenberg and for that summer, was also a counselor at Camp Mowana, near Mansfield.

Rev. Marlin Drake accepted a call to St. Peter’s in June 1956. It was during the pastorate of Rev. Drake that proceedings were started for the separation of St. Peter’s from the Rows Parish. This was finalized after Rev. Drake left in April 1961.

After many lengthy discussions with the joint council, it was decided to withdraw so by the end of 1963 the New Pittsburg St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church was on its own. The jointly owned parsonage was sold after the dissolution of the parish.

Dr. Arthur J. Hall was stated supply for St. Peter’s from Jan. 1962 to Dec. 1963.

Rev. Andrew Kolarovsky accepted a call to St. Peter’s in December 1963. During his pastorate here, an additional education unit was built on to the north side of the present structure.

Ground was broken in 1964 and the unit completed in 1965. Building committee for this project was Elias and Helen Lewis, William and Betty McKinstry, Roy and Ruth Kamp and Russell and Vira Rice.

Plans for a new parsonage to be built were in the planning stages at this time, but were not finalized until later. Rev. Kolarovsky resigned from the pastorate in March 1966.

Rev. Gary Woodruff came to St. Peter’s in June 1966. The parsonage committee consisted of Elias Lewis, Roy Kamp and Russell Rice and it was completed ready for the new occupants January 1967. The parsonage is a brick, one story house located east of the church on land given to the church by the Dennis Hiner Family.

Rev. Woodruff left St. Peter’s June 1969 to accept a call to St. Marks, Bowling Green, Ohio. In November 1969, Rev. James McKinley was called to St. Peter’s. He had just graduated from Hamma Divinity School and on Nov. 30, 1969, he was ordained at a service conducted at St. Peter’s.

In 1972 there was an extensive remodeling to the sanctuary. Some of the old furnishings were replaced, among these, a free standing altar and a pulpit, designed by Pastor Jim. The railing around the choir area was replaced by a design matching the altar and pulpit. The archway on the north wall of the choir area was closed and a door put in. The small archway from the chancel to the sacristy was closed completely. Folding doors replaced the heavy roll-up door at the rear of the sanctuary. The pews were removed, stripped and refinished. The interior was completely redecorated and carpeted.

During the time the McKinley family was with us, and under the direction of the Pastor’s wife, Jane, a nursery school was started. It was named “Panda Play School”.

In 1974 the old leaky steeple was replaced by a new magnificent one, a gift from Roy Hiner.

Rev. McKinley resigned September, 1974 to accept a call to Emmanuel in Elyria, Ohio. Rev. Walter N. Wissinger accepted a call to St. Peter’s in December 1974, coming to us from North Olmstead. Another remodeling project was completed during the time of Rev. Wissinger’s pastorate at St. Peter’s; this time to the social room and educational unit.

The dividing wall was removed in the downstairs social room to make one large room. A new kitchen was constructed. The Philadeithian Class was instrumental in getting this accomplished by supplying the funds. New restrooms were built at the west end of the old social room. The stage in the social room had been converted into a church library-counseling room. Book shelves are along the east wall and also form a new west wall on the stage. New lighting was put in the library and in the remaining area that is being used as a class room.

Part of the new west wall in the library is a set of four stained glass windows that symbolically say St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Money for this was a memorial from the Wendell Berger family. The work was done by Pastor Wissinger, as working with stained glass was a hobby of his.

In 1978 a new brick sign to better identify our beautiful church was given in memory of William A. and Clara Firestone by their children and grandchildren.

A new Allen organ was purchased and dedicated on Reformation Sunday, October 31, 1982. Rev. Wissinger resigned Sept. 1 1983.

From September 1983 to July 2, 1984, the pulpit at St. Peter’s was filled by interim pastors; most often by retired men of the Ohio Synod. Rev. John Hyter, Pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Smithville, Ohio, willingly and ably served as Vice Pastor to this congregation during the pulpit vacancy. July 2, 1984 the Rev. Fred Grosse family was welcomed to the church family of St. Peter’s.

A celebration of the 150th anniversary of St. Peter was held in October 1984. A banquet attended by 245 members, former members and friends was held Saturday evening at the church. On Sunday afternoon recognition of former pastors was held followed by a reception. China collector’s plates bearing an image of the church were offered for sale to commemorate the occasion.

Rev. Fred Grosse resigned the call in March 1985. Rev. Steve Johnson began his career in the ministry at St. Peter on August 15, 1985. His installation was held September 8, 1985. Search Bible Studies was an important part of the ministry of St. Peter beginning in the year 1987. It was well attended by more than 63 members of the congregation and community.

In 1988 St. Peter celebrated its 25th anniversary as an independent congregation, having separated from the Rows parish in 1963. A 1988 basement-remodeling project was completed at an approximate cost of $9,000. The kitchen was remodeled and new carpet installed. We continued our association with St. James church in Cleveland by once again hosting a farm tour and picnic. One hundred and twenty children were able to experience rural life.

On October 16, 1990 the congregation of St. Peter obtained debt free status with the last installment to the $20,000 borrowed to remodel the sanctuary in 1971.

At the start of 1991 the membership totals of the congregation were 419 baptized and 316 confirmed.

The year 1992 brought about a special outreach program by the members of Hope Circle. A Women of the Bible Style Show was developed by a committee of Deb Berger, Deanna Keener, Diane Hartman and Judy Frank for a weekend retreat. The show has been presented over thirty times around northeast Ohio and brought in over $1,000 for Outreach programs.

Dedication of an eternal candle in the Sanctuary was held on April 12, 1992. The candle was given in memory of Nevin Wintersteen by his wife Betty. It was during that same year that a new roof was put on the parsonage at a cost of $2,000 and cushions were added to the wooden pews in the sanctuary.

Cash expenses for St. Peter were $93,500 in 1993 while total income exceeded $100,000.

Thirty-six new stackable, cushioned chairs were purchased by Marge Hartman for the Brotherhood Room in May 1994 as a memorial to her husband, Donald. Also purchased in 1994 was the first computer for the church office.

Twenty-six young people participated in the 1995 children’s musical “Christmas in Egypt” presented by the Junior and TLC choirs. Attendance at the youth choir events had grown to the point that two performances were required.

Church council approved the replacement of the sanctuary roof at a cost of $14,500 in 1996. Effective November 17, 1996 Pastor Steve Johnson resigned his call to St. Peter. He accepted a call to St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Goose Creek, SC. Rev. Bill Twynham fulfilled the role of interim pastor as the congregation went through the call process.

Rev. Jonathan Eilert was installed September 14, 1997 as pastor of St. Peter. He obtained his degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in June of 1997. At the December 1997 council meeting a “Mission Endowment Fund” task force was established to explore the ways to best handle the funds the church received from the Evonda Miller estate.

A college scholarship fund was started by an anonymous gift of $5,000 in 1999. During that same year, Eloise Snoddy was recognized for 33 years of service as Music Director to the church. New hymnals titled "With One Voice" were purchased for the church.

Renovation of the sanctuary occurred in March of 2000 when the ceiling and walls were painted and new carpet was installed. Later that year a new septic system was installed behind the parsonage. A gift of carillon bells was given in memory of Waldo Landis by his family in September. Pastor Eilert’s final Sunday at St. Peter was October 22, 2000.

Rev. Andrew Mazak served as interim pastor from November 2000 to July 2001.

St. Peter welcomed Rev. James Fravel to the pulpit on July 15, 2001. He was ordained on August 25, 2001 in Stongsville. Also in 2001 the church became a regular location for American Red Cross blood drives.

Pastor Fravel accepted a call to Michigan in June 2003 and Pastor Michael Oakley became the interim pastor on July 1, 2003.

Pastor Oakley accepted a permanent pastoral call from Redeemer Lutheran Church in Brook Park on February 29, 2004. Pastor Andrew Mazak returned to St. Peter as interim pastor on March 1, 2004. A call was extended to Rev. Steven Caler on June 13, 2004.

The congregation accepted a letter of resignation from Pastor Caler in December 2005. St. Peter was served by interim pastor Rev. Theodore (Ted) Pelikan from December 25, 2005 until October 8, 2006.

Rev. Melvin Kirk was installed on October 15th, 2006. He came to St. Peter from the state of Delaware.

In January 2008 the weekly bulletin announcements began to be shared with members through email. Also that year church members held a bowling party in Ashland, helped build a home with Habitat for Humanity and attended an Akron Aeros baseball game.