Canal Winchester Methodist Church
A Global Methodist Church
Our History
The Winchester Methodist Episcopal group was organized in 1838. They met in the United Brethren meeting house on alternate weeks until 1850 when the church building was erected on Lot #10 on West Street now called West Columbus Street. In 1900 Reverend Lewis S. Fuller became the pastor. It was in 1901 that it was decided to build a new church structure. It would be located at the corner of West Columbus and High Streets at 15 West Columbus Street. The property was purchased from Frank S. Brown and Dr. J. W. Shook. The planning and building continued until July 1904. The total cost was $6,383.48. The old church was torn down by Christian Judy and the bricks cleaned for $50. The Hopewell Methodist Society purchased the pews in the old church at 50 cents per foot at a total cost of $104.50. Reverend Fuller did not stay for the completion of the church. Reverend D. S. Priest arrived in1903. During the four years he served the group, the Children's Junior League and the Women's Foreign Missionary Society were formed. Reverend Charles Hartshorn served 1907-1909; B. F. Jackson, 1909-1912; and W. S. Fisher, 1912-1916. During Reverend Fisher's time at the church, the membership grew because of a large community wide revival.
Reverend Frank Gillilan served from 1916-1919. This was during World War I, and coal was hard to get to heat the church. The flu epidemic was so bad that for two winters it was almost impossible to carry on successful church work. Reverend Pascal Bright served from 1920-1924. In 1920 gas lights were replaced with electric. Reverend J. A. Weed served from 1924-1927, and H. S. Bailey, 1927-1932. During this pastorate, the parish hall was built. Reverend D. H. Housholder, 1932-1933; Russell Bayliff, 1933-1935; and Lewis Berger, 1935-1937; all served as ministers. The Epworth League was flourishing, and the organization of the Men's Brotherhood formed. The church voted to become a station and withdraw from the circuit that had originally been composed of Canal Winchester, Lithopolis, Brice, and Asbury Churches. Brice had left the group in Reverend John L. White served from 1937-1941. A drive for White Cross Hospital netted $1,417. This ranked the church at the top of the Columbus District. The Women's Foreign Missionary Society, and the Ladies Aid Society merged and became the Women's Society of Christian Service. Mrs. B. L. Stradley served as the first president of the 70 charter members.
A new altar was built using the original Methodist pulpit. Rev. White added 52 members to the church roll. Reverend Stanley Jeffrey served from 1941-1943.
World War II was in progress and 37 members were in service at sometime during the war. Dr. Shook's corner property was purchased and turned into three apartments. The property where the barn stood was also acquired Reverend Herman Secoy served from 1943-1946. He is remembered as the "singing" pastor. He secured robes for the choir. Many musical programs were given. Reverend Joy Williamson served from 1946-1949. An organ was purchased and installed in 1946. Dr. L W. Beery gave a generous donation of $1,010 for the organ. It was dedicated to all who had been in the military service. In 1948 at the death of composer and musician Oley Speaks, a bequest of $2,000 was given to the church. This money was invested. Reverend David Weaver served from 1949-1951. In 1950 the church celebrated its 100th anniversary. Special services were held with program, dinner, and afternoon music by Curt and Charlotte Davis. Reverend Floyd Rowe served from 1951-1956. Planning was started for building expansion. Reverend William G. Patterson was pastor from 1956-1960.
While the world was dealing with the global pandemic The United Methodist Church was navigating a rising division within the denomination. As a consequence, the Global Methodist Church was launched by necessity on May 1, 2022, not only to preserve doctrinal integrity, especially in terms of the authority of Scripture, but also to provide a faithful and lively witness to the apostolic faith. Such a grounding ensured that the four historic marks of the Church, affirmed at the Second Ecumenical Council at Constantinople in 381 AD, namely, that the church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, would mark the Global Methodist Church in an exemplary way. In the fall of 2022, the church leadership took the steps layed out by the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church to navigate the "Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation." Representatives from both the United Methodist Church and the Global Methodist Church spoke to the congregation over several weeks explaining the situation and where each denomination held it's values and beliefs. A church conference was called on April 27th, 2023 and a vote was made almost unanimously to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church and move forward as a Global Methodist Church. Even though Reverand Hess aligned his theological values and beliefs with the Global Mothodist Church, he had already planned to retire from the ministry at the conclusion of his United Methodist appointment at the end of June, 2023. On June 1, 2023, Faith United Methodist Church embraced its future and its past by officially becoming Canal Winchester Methodist Church once again. This new identity serves as both an homage to the early church's foundation and a clear step forward in alignment with the Global Methodist Church. Reverend Charlene Mitchell was appointed as the congregation's first Global Methodist Pastor and her inaugural sermon was on July 1st 2023. Reverand Mitchell continues to shepherd the congregation through this new chapter.
In 1968 the Methodist Episcopal Churches and the United Brethren Churches merged. This had been under discussion for several years. It was a very difficult situation in Canal Winchester, with both a Methodist and United Brethren Church located in a small town. Neither church wanted to give up their church and join as one. They finally agreed to be called Faith Methodist and Hope Methodist. Reverend John M. Benson served as pastor from 1973-1979. Renovation of the sanctuary was done in 1978 with a rededication service on May 21, 1978 Reverend G. Keith Nash served from 1979-1984. Some members of the church felt the beauty and age of the church should be recognized. Mr. George Williamson was contacted to see if the church would be eligible for the National Register. Mr. Williamson was glad to take the job of researching the history. In 1982 the church building was placed on the National Register of Historical Places. The Dietz covered bridge was the only other structure in Canal Winchester with that designation at that time. Subsequent pastors were Reverend Richard Kuhn, 1984-1989; and Haskel Moore, 1989-1990. Reverand Dean Feldmeyer served 11 years from 1990-2001. He started the custom of having two Christmas Eve services that included the early service for children and families at 7:00pm, and the traditional candlelight service at 11:00pm. Reverand Nena Bauman was appointed as our first female pastor in 2001 and served until 2005.
In 1958 the Sunday school rooms were added to the church. The building committee were chairman, Ralph Bender; secretary, Reverend W. G Patterson; financial secretary, Mrs. M. F. Williams; treasurer, William H. Hockman. Committee chairmen were program, Jack E. Wagner, publicity, Mrs. T. D. Stevenson; finance, W. H. Hockman; trustee, Karl B. Bitler. The architect was A H. Mollenkamp of Lancaster, Ohio. Reverend Victor J. Schroeder, 1960-1964, Richard Baker, 1964-1966, Gordon Lee Groby, 1966-1968, all served as pastors. In 1967 Mrs. Patty Spires was employed as the church secretary. In 1990 she was still the church secretary and much more, due to her knowledge of the church and its history. A 25-year service in this capacity certainly could not be matched any where else in the area. Reverend John Ball served in 1968-1973.
During the summer of 2004 Shawna Willis along with the assistance of the youth and several adults, created a beautiful mural depicting favorite Bible stories embellished with scripture verses. This work of art may be seen along the hallways of the Education wing. Dr. Richard Boone was appointed as pastor to Faith in January 2006. In July of 2011 Reverand Wayne Stuntz was appointed and served the on pulpit until 2019. In 2016 a new hybrid pipe organ was custom made and installed in the sanctuary. It is the only organ of its kind in the northern mid-west region of the United States. Reverand Clark Hess received the appointment as a dual charge with neighboring church Hope Methodist in July of 2019. He held an early service at 9:00am at Hope and the second service was at 10:30am at Faith. This continued regularly until March 22nd of 2020 when the Covid-19 Pandemic redefined the global landscape and its priorities ushering in the global lockdown. Because of this, sermons were recorded edited and uploaded digitally to the church’s Facebook page as well as YouTube so parishioners could view them online weekly and follow along with and emailed bulletin and worship guide. Finally, the restrictions on public gatherings were lessened and a meeting between both Faith and Hope leadership was held to plan for the future. Then on the last Sunday of August in 2020 and the congregation was able to meet in person once again and fill the walls at 15 W Columbus St. It was during these meetings that the leadership explored potential options to unify both congregations as one. They decided that while planning continued, both churches would meet collectively as one congregation alternating buildings every month. A second interruption in the arrangement occurred as Covid-19 surged yet again just before Thanksgiving of 2020 and restricted in-person gatherings until March of 2021. Alternating service locations continued until the end of October 2021 when it was apparent that the merging of the two congregations as one under a single roof would never happen. In November of 2021 both Congregation went back to seperate worship service time in their respective sanctuarys with Reverand Hess traveling once again.