First Christian Church: 145 years of growth

ZANESVILLE – A group of young families moved to the Putnam area from West Virginia in the late 1860s. They began holding worship services in each others' homes, but other neighbors began to join them. They had grown to number 34 and decided it was time to formally organize. Under the leadership of W.B. Simmons the church was formed on May 7, 1870.

The congregation began meeting in Havers Hall in Putnam and itinerant ministers would preach or members would deliver the Sunday message. They practiced baptism by immersion and weekly communion.

Members began to move north across the river and a number of them had homes in the Lee Street area of Zanesville. Consequently the congregation began to meet in Worrels Hall over the Wells Drug Store at the corner of Linden and Lee streets.

The growing congregation decided it was time to have a church building of their own. Some members had previously purchased a lot on the corner of Park and Amelia streets and the members began to build the structure at a cost of $1,300. The new church was called Park Street Church of Christ and featured a bell tower and stained glass windows.

It was dedicated on June 29, 1888, and E. S. DeMiller was called as pastor. Sunday school classes, a youth group and a Ladies Aid Society began in the new church. The membership grew to 550 and the church was getting crowded.

But that was the least of the congregation's worries. The 1913 flood ravaged the church and 110 families lost everything they had. Rather than trying to repair and rebuild the Park Street structure, the congregation opted to build a new church on property owned by the congregation.

A brick building was erected on the corner of Linden and McIntire avenues at a cost of $25,000. It was originally known as the New Church of Christ. The name was changed to First Christian Church (Disciples.) It was dedicated on Nov. 8, 1914, and the mortgage was paid off in December 1919. This building still stands today.

Once again growing membership began to tax the building and the popularity of motor cars necessitated a need for more parking space. The congregation purchased seven acres of property at the corner of Military and Dresden roads in 1959 when it was unknown what would be demolished when the Interstate was built nearby.

The congregation began building a new facility in 1960 and once again a name change took place. The new name was to be First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ.) The congregation moved into the new church in 1961. Worship services were held in what is now a gymnasium and plans were made to add a sanctuary when possible.

Eight years later, in October 1969, construction of the new sanctuary began. Bud Krause remembers when the sanctuary was built. "I've been coming to this church since before I was born," he said. "My grandmother, Nettie Crawford, taught the Willing Workers Class at the Park Street Church."

"This is a second family for me," Krause said. "If I am not in church on Sunday, my Sunday's lost."

It is that feeling of family that keeps First Christian Church energized and vital. You are likely to see teenagers sitting next to the elderly members of the church. "They take good care of each other," said Pastor Dawn Remster. "If someone needs a ride to a nursing home to visit, a younger member volunteers without even being asked. If there is a need, someone steps in to fill it."

Since the month of May celebrates 145 years of service, there will be special activities. The Pastor's Class, which is the class that the church youth take to become members, will be interviewing the oldest members. They will ask them about their baptism and making a special video presentation to be shown. "We want to give our older members recognition," said Pastor Remster.

The church supports a number of outreach missions. Besides serving regularly at Christ's Table, they participate in literacy programs, regular food collection to contribute to food pantries and conduct regular work trips. "We help home owners who are having trouble maintaining their homes," Pastor Remster said.

The church keeps many children and youth involved. The Worship and Wonder group for 3 year olds through second graders may have 30 preschoolers at any given time.

The church's youth take a mission trip each summer. The Quilters Group hand makes a quilt to donate to them to raise money for the trip.

"A lot of families come into the church because of our vacation Bible school," added Krause's his wife, Juanita.

The First Christian Church has an active choir and hand chime choir. There are seven adult Sunday school programs, as well as a Men's Group and two active Bible Study classes.

The congregation feels blessed to have seven acres where they maintain a softball field, a shelter for outdoor activities and a community garden. Pastor Remster has served the church since August of 2002. "People are so kind here and really have a heart for sharing the Gospel," she said.

Sis Bowman can be reached at eebowman@columbus.rr.com.