Immanuel sees many changes over a period of 196 years

ZANESVILLE – In 1803, Nicholas Bader and his wife, Elizabeth, led a group of German Pennsylvania emigrants west to Ohio in the hope of finding more fertile land.

Soon, they were followed by others of German heritage such as James Riess, George Kloepter and Solomon Meiers. They began conducting what were called cottage meetings in each other's homes to worship.

Some people believe the property at the corner of South and Seventh streets, where what was up until recently known as the Immanuel United Church of Christ now stands, was purchased in 1813 for $280 from the John McIntire estate. Actually, the deed states it was purchased Feb. 4, 1820, for $250. Solomon Defenbaugh and George Clapper represented the German Lutheran Society in the transaction.

"All the worship was in German," Pastor Mitch Reed said. "We still recognize that German is part of our heritage."

In fact, the church still has the Lord's Prayer in German hanging in the sanctuary. The present structure, built in 1864, has an inset above the front door that reads "United Evangelical Church" in German.

The first sanctuary may have been built on the site in 1814. It was made of logs that were possibly hewn there. In 1818, the German Lutheran Society became the Evangelical Church of Zanesville. Its first pastor was Ludwig Scheid, an Evangelical Lutheran preacher.

New arrivals and other developments prompted the congregation to alter its constitution and the name was changed to United Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Friedens (Peace) Church.

By 1824, the log church had been outgrown and was replaced by a frame structure on the same site. Then, in 1829, plans were made to purchase an organ for $280. This was an important acquisition because it set the church apart from the English churches that shunned the instrument. The Peace church was proud of the symbol to establish congregational singing, which continues today.

During the 1830s, there was upheaval in the congregation. Many wanted to have services only in English and broke away to form what is now St. John's Lutheran Church.

The church was in for another change in 1843. Many parishioners did not feel the church was "Lutheran enough" and disagreed on doctrine, including the sacraments.

John Ungemach led a group in 1843 to leave the church, and they formed Trinity German Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1844, they built their own church on the corner of Seventh and Harvey streets, where Trinity Evangelical Lutheran stands today.

In 1844, the church once again was given a new name, the German Evangelical Peace Church. Later, it was changed to German Evangelical Church of Zanesville. That name stayed intact until 1914 when World War I began. The name was once again altered, this time to Pilgrim Evangelical Church.

The war brought on another change, too.

"In addition to a name change, just before World War I, German worship services were discontinued," Reed said, "and English took its place."

Even before the name change, the building itself was replaced. After years of steady growth, the old frame structure had become too small. The church that stands today on the site was dedicated in the winter of 1864.

Thirty years later, the church was remodeled, stairs were removed from the sidewalk and different stairs were added in the new vestibule. The church also got its long-desired steeple.

Two bells, cast in Cincinnati, were hung in the steeple. One bears the inscription, "Faith, Love, Hope." The other has "Glory to God in the Highest" on it. To this day, the bells are rung by hand.

"We let the kids ring the bells to start worship," Reed said. "Sometimes they compete to ring them. They really enjoy it."

Another addition during the remodeling were eight new stained-glass windows. They were designed and executed by the Capitol Art Glass Co. At the time of the remodeling, the Times Recorder published an article Nov. 10, 1894, stating that members numbered "180 families or a membership of about 800 souls."

The 100th anniversary was observed May 11, 1919. It had been postponed from the fall of 1818 due to an influenza epidemic. The anniversary also saw the installation of a new pipe organ.

In 1934, the church was known as the Pilgrim Evangelical and Reformed Church. It was in 1947 that the name was officially changed. In 1948, the heating system was converted to steam, then to gas in 1955.

New light fixtures were installed in 1952. The steeple was removed in late 1957 because of its deteriorated state. It was thought to be a hazard and not economically reasonable to repair.

The next name, Immanuel Church of Christ, came about in 1959 when the church signed articles of incorporation and joined as part of the United Church of Christ. In September 1968, during the 150th anniversary of the church, the new annex was dedicated.

A chair lift was installed in 1975. On April 6, 1986, Gertrude Starkey Martin resigned as organist for the church after 62 years of service. It is this type of dedication that has kept Immanuel together during times of turmoil.

According to Pastor Reed, the church has not seen the last of change, as it is now the Immanuel Church of Downtown Zanesville. "As of January 2015, we will be an independent church," he said. "We will no longer be affiliated with the United Church of Christ."

About the series

The Times Recorder will feature an area church twice a month, giving readers a look at its history and current contributions to the community.