Church History

100 Years of History:

Otterbein United Methodist Church

   Throughtout the 100 year ministry of Otterbein United Methodist Church, there have always been pastors who were trailblazers and people who were transformed by God's grace in Jesus Christ.

    Our congregation began in January, 1901, as a small group meeting place under the leadership of Rev. J.K. Huey, in a former laundry building that was changed into a place of study and worship. The location on Lincoln Avenue is now one of the church's parking lots.

    A year later, lots across the street were purchased to build a brick sanctuary and adjoining parsonage. The cornerstone was laid in 1902, and the First United Brethren Church of Christ was dedicated on February 1, 1903.

    Having outgrown the building, the sanctuary was enlarged in 1911. Five years later, a new parsonage was built and the old one remodeled for Sunday School classes while Rev. J.S. Showers was pastor. The same year, Mr. R. Clark Witt began Boy Scout Troop 101 in the church and served as Scoutmaster until 1967.

    Rev. Elmer A.R. Schultz began the longest pastorate at Otterbein in 1928, and served the congregation for seventeen years. Under his leadership, the present educational unit was built; the worship service preceding the Sunday School began; the parsonage was remodeled; and the sanctuary was restored following a fire on October 28th, 1940, that nearly cost him his life.

    Rev. Meade M. Snyder was appointed in 1945. The following year, the United Brethren in Christ and the Evangelical denominations united and our local congregation adopted the name of First Evangelical United Brethren.

    Rev. Emory Mankamyer came in 1953 and the following year the lot on the corner of Race and Lincoln was purchased for additional parking. An additional lot was purchased in 1956 on Lincoln in preparation for a new sanctuary. The cornerstone was laid October 5th, 1958, and the building was dedicated October 4, 1959.

    In 1968, the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church united to become The United Methodist Church. Two years later, our congregation adopted the name "Otterbein", honoring Philip William Otterbein, the humble man of God who helped found the United Brethren Church.

    On January 1, 1974, the Central United Methodist Church, organized in 1830 by Rev. George Brown, united with Otterbein following a fire that destroyed their building on March 21st, 1968.

    Prior to 1939, the congregation was known as the First Methodist Protestant Church and counted the widow of Zachariah Connell (The founder of Connellsville), as one of its members.

    In 1976, Rev. William Mock became pastor, and a new parsonage was built on Swan Drive. The Intercessory Prayer Group began durning his pastorage here, and the Co-Operative Parish of Connellsville was organized, resulting in joint United Methodist Men, Lenten, and Confirmation programs.

    Following Rev. Elmer Reamer's appointment in 1989, an 18 foot cross on top of the belltower was dedicated in memory of Dr. Elmer Schultz; a memorial garden was added to the church; a new baby grand piano for the sanctuary was dedicated; an Ash Wednesday Co-Op Communion Service was initiated; annual mission salary support was pledged; and the Church's 95th Anniversary was commemerated in 1996 with the Rev. Neal K. Rodgers, Assistant to the Bishop, as the guest speaker.