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(Webmaster's Note: I have used bold type and italics to highlight member's names and dates for easier reference when reading through this text. I would like to incorporate photos of any of the people or activities mentioned in the History of Fremont Trinity United Methodist Church. If you have such media, please contact me, Karen Harris hdvtwin@ezworks.net I am still working on this page, Trinity's history is not a static document, but one of people, ever-changing and growing in the Lord.) This is a reprint and revision of the History of Trinity United Methodist Church originally written by Rebecca Dilenschneider in 1962, and edited and updated in 1995 by Harold McGormley. Included are all the changes made through the years, from . . . Emanuel Church of Fremont of the Evangelical Association of North America to . . . Trinity Evangelical Association of North America . . . then Trinity Evangelical Church . . . to Trinity Evangelical United Brethren Church . . . and the present Trinity United Methodist Church. Fremont Trinity was organized in 1860 as the Emanuel Church of Fremont of the Evangelical Association of North America. The Evangelical Church was founded by Jacob Albright in the early 1800's in eastern Pennsylvania. Many of the congregations were known as "The Albright People." "It was through the prayers of an aged couple (John and Elizabeth Lesher) that the work of the Evangelical Church was established in Fremont, Ohio." They had located here in the early 1830's, and prayed for an opening in Fremont for the followers of Jacob Albright, under whose ministry they had been converted in Pennsylvania. Fremont was selected as a new mission by the Ohio Conference Session in May 1860, to be served with the Fishing Creek Class, five miles north. John Meck, a new zealous recruit from Sandusky Congregation was assigned as the first pastor. Meck set out from his home in Sandusky on foot, wearing high top boots, to make his first visit to Fremont. Tired and weary of travel over the muddy roads and swampy trails, after walking eighteen miles, he stopped for the night at the home of Christian and Anna Schultz (parents of Mary, Ida, Charles, and Estella), six miles east of Fremont. The next day they brought him the rest of the way in a lumber wagon. The first service was held in a little brick schoolhouse, east of the river (Howland Street). There were eleven present, but the preacher and Mr. and Mrs. Schultz were the only Evangelicals. His next service was scheduled for two weeks in advance. He returned then with his wife and babe in a one-horse spring-less wagon, stopping often in the mud to allow the horse to rest. He gave the following description of his beginning: "Fremont...has several thousand inhabitants, most of who are German. As to religion, they are in sad condition. Only a few true, God-loving souls are to be found. Rome is very strongly represented. Yet more are worshippers of the God Bacchus. Seldom is a German home to be found where this body and soul destroying poison is not served daily . . . In the city I found only one member of our church--an old father in Israel (John Lesher) . . . I am at present in a schoolhouse which the city will permit only for a short time." In September of that year, Meck reported that the presiding elder, C.A. Munk held the first quarterly meeting and preached to a large assembly when the work was given new strength. A Sunday school had been opened and there were twenty scholars. The outlook was promising, but if it was to take root and grow there must be a church building. A subscription list had been opened and the members of the Sandusky Circuit had done nobly. to top In February of 1861, Meck reported they were worshipping in the English Methodist Church. He organized the Society known as the "Emanuel Society of the Evangelical Association" with four charter members, George Joseph and wife Mary, and George Michael and wife Catherine, formerly from Fishing Creek Class. During the year a lot for the new church had been purchased for $350 and $1155 had been collected in subscriptions. J.G. Theurer was appointed pastor in 1861 with instructions to erect a new church. Because of a throat ailment, he was forced to resign shortly after conference. J.G. Zinzer (retired pastor from Tiffin who had not taken an appointment) consented to fill the vacancy and serve the year. He reported there had been a glorious revival at Walter's Church, five miles west of Fremont, but in the city there was difficulty finding a place to meet, and sufficient funds were not yet in hand to build a church. In May 1862, a young energetic minister, L. Sheurman (Shireman)
was sent to Fremont. He moved the meeting place from the east side to
the courthouse. While here, a public-spirited citizen, Sardis
Birchard (law partner with
R.B. Hayes) offered a site on the comer of Wayne and Court Streets
for a church. Sandusky County Court House records show the transfer
of the corner from R.P. Buckland and Homer Everett to
Trustees of Emanuel Church of Fremont of the Evangelical Association
of North America, George Michael, George Joseph and Daniel Kern,
Trustees. The small brick church was dedicated on October 12, 1862.
Rev. Charles Hammer, Church publisher, preached the dedication
sermon from I Kings 8:11 in German. The Sunday school was organized
that year with Rev. Sheurman as the first Superintendent. Fifty
new members were added, giving a total of seventy members. During the year 1869-1870, Rev. S. E. Rife and Rev. Noah Shupp were busy with meetings on the Circuit. The one in Fremont was especially successful and lasted four weeks. Prospects for the German language had diminished so these men labored in English and received sixteen new members, all heads of families. Their appeal to Conference for an English mission at Fremont was granted, and in 1870 Abram Vandersall was appointed pastor. He increased the roll of members from twenty-eight to fifty-nine and the Sunday school to nearly one hundred. His revival meetings lasted six weeks. Among the converts were thirty young women. Fremont was beginning to show more strength, and in this same year a new presiding elder district was formed and named Fremont District. Rev. Vandersall changed the preaching from German to English. to top In 1874, a request was granted to sell their property and rebuild in a more suitable location. For some unexplained reason hopes for such a new project dimmed and in 1877 the Mission was again incorporated into a Circuit. Discouragements were reported connected with the mission and struggles to establish a church were mentioned in the obituary of Mrs. Maria Vos Brockman who died in 1879. It was said of her: "She was a mother in Israel without shame and for many years in the darkest time and hardest trials of our church in Fremont she stood immovable." In 1881 it was reported the church was in good and prosperous condition with membership of one hundred twenty-one including Fishing Creek and Riley, which were now in the Fremont Mission Circuit. A new parsonage was erected in 1885-86 when Rev. W. W. Sherrick was pastor. By the influence of Rev. Noah Shupp, a Church Building Society was organized in 1889 "to collect funds for the building of a church in this city." Now known as the "Women's Building Society, it is an organization that is worthy of special notice for the great service it has rendered continuously during all the years and is still in existence. That same year, Rev. Shupp organized a Young People's Society. It was one of the first youth organizations in the Conference. (Later in 1892 it was made a Young People's Alliance with thirty-three members and Frank B. Seager as the first president). At the close of his pastorate (1889) Shupp wrote: "Our Society, judging from what is said in and outside the church, is enjoying the confidence and well wishes of the public as never before in the history of this church. The membership has nearly doubled and the Sunday School has more than doubled in the past few years . . . The greatest drawback is the insignificant church edifice. The congregation will never be much more until we have a new church." Financial inability made such an undertaking seem impossible. Yet, the pastor carried a request to the next conference and it was granted. Rev. E.H. Spreng became the next pastor and he learned the antiquated place of worship did not command respect. While delivering his evening sermon on a certain Sunday, the door suddenly opened and a good-sized sapling log fell into the aisle near the worshippers. Some mischievous boys had set the log against the door and when one or them struck the old time thumb latch, the log crashed to the floor. Some of the disturbers were Irish Catholic boys whom the priest charged never to do the like again. The little church had faced the east. On both sides of the double doors were blind covered windows. Over the door was the corner stone "Emanuel". Three sets of windows were on both the north and south sides. There was a high board fence in the rear, which led to the parsonage. The church floor was not elevated, only the pulpit platform, an altar rail separating this from the church proper. Stoves were near the midsection on each side with benches on two sides and a wood box to the wall side. On this there was a cover so it could be used as a bench. Everyone sat there to get warm before going to their respective Sunday school classes, which were held in the pews. Coats were never removed in cold weather. Facing the pulpit (to the left in 'the front of the church) was the choir, on a slightly elevated platform. The organ (foot-pedal) was against the south wall. Anna Brockman was the first organist. This choir loft had been erected during the pastorate of Rev. Shupp. He had five talented daughters, who were singers, one being an organist. She replaced Anna Brockman who left for Iowa. Many thought it was terrible to have a choir in church, but it was, responsible for bringing many young people to church, and through that Rev. Shupp was able to organize a Young People's Organization. The Hymnals were small and black, about an inch thick, with no music, only words. On the other side of the church near the front was the "Amen Corner" where the men of the congregation sat. It was their "Amens" throughout the preaching that gave inspiration to the minister and the service. In the beginning, the men sat on one side and the women on the other, but after the innovation of the choir the women moved farther back and later the men and women sat together in the pews. Most of the light came from two kerosene chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, although there were some kerosene lights for the choir and the minister. Communion was received from a glass goblet with the wine poured from a glass decanter. Mrs. Rebecca Brockman later presented this to the church. Between the church and the parsonage was a large lawn space where lawn fetes were held. It was very picturesque decorated with Japanese Lanterns. The only lights used were the kerosene lanterns for the cashiers, the men dishing the ice cream, and the women cutting the cakes. The proceeds from these fetes were placed in the Building Fund. The Mission Band, under the direction of the late Miss Estella Schultz, gave a Japanese Tea in the Brockman home. This was the beginning of a fund, which purchased the center chandelier in the new church. It was not until May 1894, that the little brick church of the early meetinghouse type was torn down. During this operation a prominent businessman from Fremont happened along and seeing the leading men of the church busy cleaning brick for use in the new building said, "You will get a new church all right". Services were held in the courtroom of the Old CourtHouse while the church was being built. The handsome Gothic style brick structure was dedicated as "Trinity Church" January 20, 1895 by Bishop S. C. Breyfogel. The pastor Rev. W. P. Schott, Presiding Elder Rev. J. A. Hensel, and other visiting pastors participated. $2800 was raised to meet the full cost of $8000, friends outside the church had subscribed $2000 and part of the remainder was covered by subscriptions. An article in the local paper read "Architect Johnson (Alice) and Contractor Hague, as well as the pastor and the building committee of the church deserve the thanks of the community for giving the city so satisfactory a building." There was reason to believe this was the beginning of an era of prosperity. The church was less than the size of our present main auditorium. One entered by a vestibule, similar to the present one, but smaller, off of that to the north was a lavatory. The Secretary's office was toward the west wall. The Sunday school room, or Chapel as it was called, was between the vestibule and office, separated from the church by high folding doors which met in the center. The older classes met in the pews, which were made of solid oak, curved and extremely comfortable. The organ was to the front and on the west wall. It was a pump organ with bellows, which were pumped by hand. It was made by J.H. Soule, Fremont, Ohio. A boy was hired to pump air into the bellows. It was quite an art to be a good pumper. Sometimes the music would suddenly stop, and sometimes just gradually slow down as the boy "forgot to pump." Two of these famous pumpers were Lewis Baxter and Stanley Boyer. Some girls were known to help out, too, especially during choir practice. Fannie Brockman was one of these volunteer helpers. At this time, the organist was not paid, but donated her services. Mary Schultz Omstead was the first organist in the new church and was followed by Carrie Brockman Millious in 1910 who continued until 1919. She had been pianist for the Sunday school and continued to serve until about 1948 having given over 50 years of service, in that capacity. The altar was in the center and semicircular with a kneeling bench. The platform was elevated with steps at each side. The pulpit was placed in the center. The furniture and pulpit were solid oak. The choir was to the right on an elevated platform and under the rear window (Choir Library and former pastor's Study). This vas also used for a Sunday school class sometimes. The chandeliers were copper and very handsome and far lighting. The Auditorium in the daytime was lighted by two large beautiful rose windows at the east and west with smaller windows at the sides and a round high window at the rear of the altar. This window contains the Alpha and Omega letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolizing the eternity of God, and is in memory of Father and Mother Stull. The large window at the east contains the Chalice and the loaf and is in memory of George and Catherine Michael; John and Elizabeth Stromn, while the one at the west has the cluster of grapes, all symbolic of the Last Supper. This window bears the names of Joseph Lambert and Pearl Etta Lambert. The smaller windows on each side of the platform were in memory of former pastors: Rev. and Mrs. Daniel Kerns and Rev. Joseph and Julia Wengerd. The windows in the front vestibule were in memory of C. Edna Boyer and Maria Brockman and the transom over the door bore the name Trinity. In the Chapel to the rear, the windows bore the names of Mary Schultz, Henry and Martha Smith, Freddie Burkett, Jacob Swint. The glass was in artistic tints and done in light conventional patterns. The woodwork was natural and walls were light in color and the frescoing was done by hand with no stencils. The work was done by Theodore Fox. Great care was taken and the colors harmonized perfectly with the carpet, which was in scroll pattern in shades of olive. A large silver pitcher with a pair of silver goblets took the place of the, glass goblet and decanter that was used for Communion, and was presented by Mother Stull (engraved on the pitcher). This was later presented to the church by Mrs. Henry Boyer. The first revival in the new church was held in 1895 by the pastor Rev. A.N. McCauley. He was hopeful of large results and at the end of the fourth week when no stir was evident, he said, "0h, but the rock here is hard, yet I believe it is going to break." He had faith in God's word, which like a hammer would break the rock to pieces. On Sunday morning, beginning the fifth week, the rock did break and the altar was filled with seekers, mostly young people. They were guided through the prayers of their Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Hague. Later, they all joined the church. The meeting was continued three weeks longer. The first wedding in the church was the marriage of Emma Brockman to William W. Howard on September 16, 1897. Their attendants were Carrie Brockman and Perry Howard. Under the pastorate of Rev. L. B. Myers, the Women's Missionary Society was organized with six charter members in 1898. On July 1, 1900, the fortieth anniversary of the church was observed together with the centennial of the Evangelical Church. It was under the direction of Rev. A. F. Totheroh. The congregation entertained the Ohio Conference in this special year and at that time the church was made a Station that meant it was self-sustaining. Under Totheroh's aggressive leadership the Sunday school quarters were enlarged at a cost of $2775.00. While this work was being done, the congregation worshipped in the First Presbyterian Church. They met upstairs for Sunday School and had a combined preaching service. At this time the Sunday School room in the rear was enlarged into three classrooms and a balcony with three classrooms above. The stairways were on the west wall by the Secretary's office and on the east wall where the present stairway is, but it rose in the opposite direction. At the top of the stairs was a large space that was used as a classroom. Miss Laura Shively met here with ten young men having taken the class when Lillian Ernst left to marry John Leedy. The class increased in numbers so they were finally given a room downstairs. The Young People's Alliance 1907 Convention was held in Fremont. Two previous conventions had been in Fremont, 1895 and 1899, but this was considered one of the outstanding ones. Miss Laura Shively was president of the Fremont group. Delegates were met at the train by members and escorted to the homes of their hosts. Rev. W.L. Naumann was president and the Ohio Conference Committee on Y.P.A. stated:
It was in 1915 that Rev. W.L. Martin urged the trustees to take steps toward enlarging the church. It was felt that there was a need for a new building, as the old one was entirely inadequate for our needs. However, the trustees were reluctant to face another heavy financial obligation so soon. Therewith they offered their resignation, which was immediately accepted, and a new set of younger trustees was elected. A sum of $15,162 was expended in adding balcony classrooms on the sides and rear of the Auditorium making a total seating capacity of nearly one thousand. The old building with the exception of some of the exterior walls was torn down and entirely rebuilt. The balcony was divided into four classrooms, the rear and three on each side. They were constructed so that everyone had an excellent view of the pulpit. The rooms under the balcony to the rear were separated from the Auditorium by rolling partitions and subdivided by two sets of folding doors for classroom purposes. The seating in the Auditorium was about five hundred. The basement was also used for classrooms for the smaller children. The floors and furniture were oak with all the lower rooms finished in the same material, stained dark, with light cream oil fresco, shading to an ivory white on the ceiling. Steel ceiling was used throughout, having lock joints, with a heavy beam effect in the Auditorium. Electricity and gas were used for lighting. The Gothic design used the building was carried out in the lighting scheme. The choir was seated in a loft to the rear of the pulpit and under the large high round window. There were steps on each side. The organ was directly under the window, the pipes hiding the window from the View of the congregation. It was a large pipe organ and purchased by money donated by the Andrew Carnegie Fund and matched by the Good Will Class. The pews were circular oak with a center section and one on each side. The center aisle was only from the rear as the three pews across the front were not divided. Opera chairs were used in the galleries. The altar was semi-circular, as before, with steps on each side. At the rear and in the center which separated the pulpit platform from the choir loft was an offset for a leather-covered bench. Above the choir railing was a brass rail from which hung a brown velvet curtain (about nine inches long) on brass rings. This protected the choir from full view. In the southwest corner was a room for the Pastor's Study and Choir Room. This could be entered from the outside. It was from here that the choir entered the church and choir loft. The Secretary's Office was a small room on the north wall, just off the vestibule. It had a Dutch (half) door. The windows were stained glass and the same design was carried out as the original ones. Anyone who purchased a window could have his name inscribed on the window. The following memorial windows were added: Arthur J. Michael, Hannah Kowalk, Mrs. Barbara Stahl Munsch, Father and Mother Stull, Naomi Lucille Spreng, Jacob Heflinger, Henry Hill, Rebecca Brockman, and Rebecca Dilenschneider. The parsonage had been moved to the north end of the lot to make room for the enlargement of the church, leaving a lawn between the two buildings. During the rebuilding, a wooden structure, or Tabernacle as it was called, was erected on this lawn for services. There was a platform for the minister, piano and choir. Sawdust was used on the ground. The roof was flat, and during this time there was a very hard snowstorm and there was danger the roof would collapse. The pastor, Rev. W.L. Martin, climbed out of the second story parsonage window and shoveled off the snow. There were four days of Dedication services, beginning on January
21, 1914 and ending on Sunday, January 25, 1914. Rev.
George Johnson of Cleveland, Ohio preached the Dedication sermon.
He had been Secretary and Treasurer of Northwestern College (North Central,
Naperville, Ill.) and Union Biblical Institute and at that time was
Secretary and Treasurer of the General Missionary Society. Rev. H.
C. Barger, presiding elder of Tiffin District; Rev. J.W. Heininger,
Pastor of Calvary Church, Cleveland, Ohio; and Rev. E.G. Frye,
Monroe, Michigan was guest pastors and assisted with the four-day celebration.
It was in 1921 that Rev. T.S. Weaver organized the first Catechetical class. Later Miss Grace Doll taught the class for many years and now it is conducted by the minister of the church. Everything went along well, and it was in 1925, the congregation decided to purchase the Horn property that was adjacent to the church on the west (Court Street). The red brick house was to be used as a Parish House. There was a lot of dissension as the older folks were afraid the young folks would not use it the way it was intended, as a meeting place. The house was purchased for $5000.00 and named 'The Trinity Christian Workers Home". The downstairs was remodeled for use as Primary and Beginner's Dept. on Sunday and as a social meeting place for classes. Church dinners were also held here. The upper floor was remodeled for living quarters for the janitor. The southwest room upstairs was given to the Women's Building Society to be used as a sewing or quilting room. Later, the upstairs was used for the Beginner's Dept. as the janitor at that time had his own home. The Worker's Home was torn down in 1967 and our present second educational unit was built with a lounge, chapel, choir room and classrooms. It was about this time that the Young People's Missionary Circle was
organized for young people of High School age and older. Their main
project was collecting "Spend-A-Days" for the following missionaries:
Rev. and Mrs. E. E. Overmyer, Dr. Susan Baurenfeind, Miss Amy Hauvermale.
This organization has since been replaced by the Youth Fellowship. The
church was refinished, redecorated, and carpeted about 1928.
Daily Vacation Bible School was started about this time, two-week period
in the summer for school children. Each class was asked to make a donation
to help defray expenses. Later an amount was set aside in the Sunday
School budget. During the years 1928 and 1929, Miss Mabel Harting, Van Wert, Ohio served as Pastor's Assistant and Parish Worker. She was the first assistant and the last until Rev. Robert Overmier came in 1958. Everything was in good condition and survived the "Depression" during' the 1930's until 1940 and then improvements took place. The Church and Workers' Home were both sandblasted. The church was redecorated and two new furnaces installed. The parsonage was shingled, painted, and a new roof and new furnace installed. The Workers' Home was painted, along with other improvements. All this was done at cost of $6,853. During World War II in 1943 the TNT or Trinity News Torch was born. It was a monthly paper to our members in Service. Every department of the Sunday School contributed. One hundred eleven members of our church family served their country during World War II. We lost three members: Paul H. Michaels, George A. Harland, and Durward Laney. The Union of the Evangelical and United Brethren Churches took place in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on November 16, 1946.There had been many unions of Protestant Communities with the turn of the Century. Plans had begun in 1926, but it was not until some years. Later that the barriers and obstacles to progress were overcome; such as: inequality in existing' pension funds; difficult problems in the publishing interests, debts and endowments; proper name for the new church; ministerial relationships and many major and minor issues, difficult of solution. Now we became known as Trinity Evangelical United Brethren Church. There were some changes with a new Discipline and Sunday School elections were now conducted in August. The next major improvement was the installation of a new organ to replace the one purchased in 1913. It was financed by subscriptions, and the cost was $11,090.50. The subscriptions were over a three-year period and ninety percent was collected. The fund was just "under" the total amount, but by the day of Dedication was paid by an anonymous contributor. The new organ was made by Schantz Organ Co., Orville, Ohio and dedicated April 18, 1948. An interesting item about the organ console is that the scroll-work was done by the late Bruno Weber, a German immigrant, who was then making his home at Put-In-Bay. The carving was done in his home shop on the island. In 1994, you could drive by his home on the "Island Circle Tour." The totem poles are at the sides of his walkway. The parsonage kitchen was entirely remodeled in February 1949.
Plans were being made for a new educational unit, having been voted
upon at the Annual Congregational Meeting June 26, 1949. The
last Sunday of the month was set aside as Building Fund Sunday and the
collection on that Sunday went into that Fund. Later, the Sunday School
Superintendent and Building Committee wore red ties as a reminder.
In 1952 and 1953 new restrooms were installed in the basement of the church, also a new concrete floor, and the wiring was reconditioned. Work was begun in 1953 on the Educational Unit. It is a one-story and basement building connecting the Church and the Worker's Home containing a large room with adjoining kitchen, seating over 225 at tables. There are alcove coat racks, storage rooms and a portable stage. The floor is tiled with a shuffleboard game design at one end, it has become known as "Fellowship Hall." The main entrance faces Wayne Street, the other entrance is on Court street. The second-floor contains five classrooms for Nursery, Kindergarten, and elementary grades, a Ladies Rest Room, Pastor's Study, Church Office and Sunday school office. The iron fire escape had to be moved from the north side of the Church to the west, so several balcony classrooms had to be remodeled. Each Department was painted in a different pastel color with beautiful printed or flowered drapes to blend. The furniture and cupboards were in natural finish including piano in each department. The office furniture was walnut with red leather upholstery. The building was dedicated May 30, 1954, by Bishop Fred L. Dennis. It was built at a cost of $100,000, including equipment and was free of any indebtedness at dedication. New choir robes were purchased, purple with a white stole. A new Communion set was also purchased which will serve over 400 people. The sets now have individual glasses in a silver tray and silver trays for the bread. In later years the glasses were replaced with disposable plastic glasses. The Boys and Girls Fellowship became a reality in 1955. It is a comprehensive program of Christian training for children from birth through eleven years of age. It includes Sunday school, Mission Band, Little Heralds and Junior Church, and is conducted for two hours each Sunday morning. Though some of the groups have changed, the education program for the children is still very active today. Sunday School continues to be held throughout the year for all ages. Children's Church is held each Sunday for children through sixth grade. The children remain in the sanctuary during the worship service until after the children's sermon and then are dismissed for children's church. The George Baehr property, west of the Workers' Home on Court Street was purchased in 1957. The house was rented for a time and then used as a home for the Assistant pastor, Rev. Robert Overmeier. After he left it was again rented, but will now be used for additional Sunday School rooms. In 1959, the church was redecorated and the Sanctuary remodeled. The choir loft was removed. white pews with white leather pads, given by Jack Zink,.. a former member, were placed in the southeast corner with the organ console. It was all enclosed by a solid railing. The choir faced the west. The chancel was lowered to just two steps and the pulpit was placed to the right of the congregation, and the altar under the round rose window. A red velvet dossal. curtain was back of the altar and under the window. The altar was raised one step. The railing was across the front in line with the step, with the center part removable. The pulpit, altar, railing and choir pews were white with walnut trim. On the front of the altar is the Chi Rho monogram/chi rho being the first two letters of the Greek word for "Christ." On the altar are brass offering plates, a gift of the Crusaders' Class, replacing the wooden ones. To the rear of the altar is the retable, a short step above the altar. On this are the cross, candlesticks and flower vases. The Cross has five symbols on it: In the center is IHS, being the first three Greek letters of "Jesus." At the top is a winged creature with a man's face, symbol for Matthew and symbolic of the fact that he traces Jesus human genealogy. On the right arm is the symbol for Hark, a winged creature with a lion's face, symbolic of the fact that John's narrative begins with "The voice of one crying in the wilderness" and suggests the roar of a lion. On the left arm is the symbol for Luke: a winged creature with the head of an' ox, symbolic of the fact that Luke emphasizes the atoning sacrifice of Christ. At the bottom of the cross is the symbol for John: a winged creature with the head of an eagle, symbolic of the fact that John rises to lofty heights in his dealing with the mind of Christ. The pulpit has the symbol of the cross and circle. The circle symbolizes the eternity of God's presence in the cross. The church pews were arranged so there is a center aisle to the altar. The first bride to use this aisle was Mary Sabroske on her marriage to Thomas Wolf. The Chancel and aisles were carpeted in red. The walls of the church were painted a pale green and the pillars white with scroll at the top in gold. While this work was being done in the summer, Church services were held in Fellowship Hall. A Hammond electric organ was installed for use in the services. The church was rededicated September 13, 1959 with Dr. D. D. Corl, Conference Superintendent, presiding. At this time the service began to include the use of an acolyte, a
boy chosen from the current Catechetical class to light and extinguish
the candles on the altar. Since then both boys and girls have performed
this rite. In 1962 on October 14, the Baehr property originally purchased in 1957 was dedicated as the "Trinity Youth Center." The first floor was be used for Sunday school classes for the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. The basement was used by the Boy Scouts. This building was dedicated free of indebtedness. Dr. John C. Searle, Sr., Conference Superintendent presided at the dedication. This building served until 1967 when it was torn down for the second educational building. Our Evangelical United Brethren Ohio Sandusky Conference had an active Men's Congress. In February of 1962, many Trinity men attended the meeting at Bowling Green University and heard the well-known missionary, E. Stanley Jones. In April, 1962,Chancel Paraments were dedicated in memory of Philip Michaels. A plaque was also installed in memory of George A. Harland in the vestibule. March 10, 1962, we opened Trinity Church to the flood victims when the Sandusky River overflowed. Reverend Simeon W. Brandyberry was assigned to our church at the 1966 Annual Conference. The building program for the second educational unit was well underway. This was to replace the Worker's Home. Plans were drawn up under the pastorate of Reverend C.D. Osborn. The plans were approved by the Ohio Sandusky Conference Board of Missions and by a large majority at a congregational meeting on July 31, 1966. The building was dedicated on April 23, 1967, with a total cost of over $100,000,--debt free. Bishop Paul M. Herrick was in Charge. The Building Committee included A. Elstner Sprunk, Chairman; Byron Burkett, Secretary; Ralph Fiebiger, Finance Chairman; Kenneth Willey; Robert Gnepper; Harry Neason; and Harold McGormley. Blaine Wiley and Robert Weiler (a member of Trinity Church), were the architects with Mosser Construction as General Contractor. With its chapel, lounge and classrooms, much help was given to the mission of the church. The Evangelical United Brethren and the Methodist Church merged to form The United Methodist Church on April 23, 1968 in Dallas Texas. With the merger of the Evangelical and United Brethren Churches, the three Fremont United Methodist Churches (Memorial, Hayes and Trinity) began having a Union Spiritual Life Mission services. By1969, the church building bricks had become dirty and stained, so the building was sandblasted and the trim painted. New curtains for the Fellowship Hall were purchased. In the spring of 1970, new carpet was laid in the parsonage that served until the new parsonage on White Avenue was purchased. A chancel pew was presented that year by Miss Fannie Brockman. The parsonage carpet was also a gift from Miss Brockman. The drapes in Fellowship Hall were relined and others were replaced in some of the classrooms. This was done under the direction of the Crusader's Class. New choir robes were given by Fannie Brockman in memory of Carrie Millious and Rebecca Dilenschneider in 1971. Reverend Carl F. Minter was assigned to Trinity at the June, 1972 Annual Conference. Soon after his coming, Edna Willer and Pastor Minter were assigned to a committee of more than a dozen churches in the country to see about starting a nursing home. After many meetings and much work raising money by the churches, Bethesda Nursing Home became a reality and was built on Brush Street in Fremont. It was not feasible for the churches to operate it, so the home was turned over to the Volunteers of America. March 11 through March 15, 1973 a very successful Spiritual Life Mission was held with Hayes, Memorial, and Trinity churches. A special congregational meeting was held in the church sanctuary on May 27, 1973. A vote was taken and it was approved to do extensive remodeling. The project included removal of the balconies, which had been dedicated January 24, 1914. There were three Sunday School classrooms on each side and four at the rear. The rear rooms were left, but have not been used much in recent years except for storage. They were originally installed to add classrooms, but after the addition of our educational units, were not used. The ceiling was lowered, new lights, new pews from Sauder of Archbold, and new carpeting to go with the new red pews was put in place. The total cost was $39,187. Rededication was held on Sunday, November 25, 1973, with morning services and a 2:30 p.m. service for the actual dedication. Rev. Simeon Brandyberry gave the address. The Board of Trustees were Robert Gnepper, Howard Henry, Conrad Shoup, Oliver Nickel, and Burdette Weickert Since our attendance in Sunday School and Morning Worship had declined, it was thought that one of the reasons was inactivity of the youth. In 1974, Phil and Judy Smart took over the youth program until 1975, when Kathy Ridley helped for a few months. Various people have helped with Youth Fellowship since that time. At the present time Karen and Dan Auxter are working with the youth. A five-day Evangelism emphasis was organized April 4-8, 1975 by Alyce Sprunk with Rev. Charles Selvy. The attendance was 300 for the five nights. The Sandusky County Food Pantry was operating successfully, but in need of money as well as nonperishable foods. At an Administrative Board meeting, the fifth Sunday of each month has been designated for a Food Pantry Offering with envelopes in the regular offering envelope boxes and all loose offerings going to this cause. There had been much discussion among members and the Board about our church not being accessible for the handicapped. In 1977 a new concrete ramp was built at the north side of the church which allowed wheel chairs to be admitted at the rear of the church. New furnaces for the sanctuary were also installed at a cost of $5,000. In 1978, after 25 years of service as Choir Director, Robert Gnepper resigned. Ilamae Smith, Organist also resigned at the same time. Their work was sorely missed. At the Annual Conference in June, 1978, Rev. Todd E. Frail became our pastor. Since conditions at the old parsonage were not good, it was decided to purchase a home at 1500 White Avenue. The owners had been Susan and Ronald Skarupe, and the cost was $57,500. New blacktop was also installed that year on the parking lot at a cost of $6,775. In 1980, various classrooms were painted and carpeted. Aluminum trim was installed on the church to cut down on exterior painting. Since no improvements had been made in the offices on the first floor of the educational unit, changes were made in 1981. The church secretary's office was moved into the pastor's office and the classroom next to it was converted into two rooms making a larger pastor's office and library. Small meetings can now be held in the library. In 1982 Young men have left this church to carry on the Lord's work elsewhere. Even now two young men Roger Shoup, Duane McGormley have been licensed and are in preparation for the ministry. A special Heritage Sunday was celebrated on April 29, 1984. Rev. James Nuhfer and his wife Lucille arrived at the church doorin a horse-drawn "surrey with fringe on top." This was furnished by Ginny and Dan Secrist. An old-fashioned picnic was held a the Reed property in Hessville, Ohio. The old parsonage was torn down in1985. After the purchase of the White Avenue property, various families had rented it, but the upkeep became to expensive. The cost of demolition was $3,400. The first TV and VCR was donated to the church by Tom and Linda Decker. It was given in memory of Elam Sabroske. The first organ, built by John H. Soule Organ
Company of Fremont, Ohio, was replaced in 1915 by one made
by the Schantz Organ Company of Orrville, Ohio. Through a grant
from the Andrew Carnegie Fund, matched by the Good Will Class.
The Total cost of the organ was $1,600. It is interesting to note that
a $100 trade-in of the old Soule organ was allowed by Schantz.
This served well until1948, when the present organ was installed
by Schantz at a cost of $1,090. Because it was built shortly
after World War II, materials such as tin and lead were still in short
supply. Consequently, some pipes from the previous instrument were used
after having been fitted with tuning slides and repitched to standard
A440pitch, In 1985, the organ was restored
mechanically with new leather and many rebuilt parts, but no tonal changes.
It is now in good working order and should be for years to come. The
organ consists of 13 ranks of pipes. The rebuilding cost was $16,685.
As of September 1994, the Schantz Company stated that
it would cost approximately $100,000 to replace our organ with one of
similar quality. |
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MINISTERS WHO HAVE SERVED AS PRESIDING ELDERS OR DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS |
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Rev. C.M. Reinbold |
Rev. H.C. Berger |
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J. F. Atkinson |
Robert Haskins |
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