CHURCH HISTORY

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, now a cornerstone of the city of Celina, began simply when a group of people gathered to worship at home.

In 1838, the Rev. George Armstrong ministered to that small group and others like it that were part of the St. Marys circuit. The Methodist Church grew with the help of circuit-riding pastors who would tend to informal Bible studies and classes in rural locations.

In 1840, the class started gathering at a log meeting house on the southeast corner of Fayette and Ash streets. This was at Lot 149, one of three lots the town had earmarked for churches and a cemetery. Records indicate it was owned by the Presbyterians and was called New School Presbyterian Church. The building was also used by a Baptist congregation and as a school.

The Celina group was recognized as a Methodist Episcopal Church and was chartered in 1844.

Lacking a building, the congregation may have also worshiped in the courthouse. But in 1856, the first church building was constructed. The location of this structure is now unclear.

A fire struck on March 20, 1861, and destroyed the frame building. The loss was reported in The Western Standard at $1,500.

A second frame building was constructed in 1862 at St. Paul’s current location. The building faced south to Fulton Street. It served until 1891, when it was replaced with a new brick building. The dedication took place in January 1892, with the Rev. Albert E. Smith (who later was president of Ohio Northern University). According to a church bulletin from this time, services and Sunday school classes were held in the City Hall Opera House and at a Lutheran church until construction was finished.

St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church, as it was known during this period, had a pipe organ and a seating capacity of 850 people. The membership was 430, and average attendance of Sunday school was 215.

In 1905, the church celebrated its 50th anniversary of owning property. The Rev. James F. Mounts, the oldest living former pastor, spoke.

The present church was built in 1925 and ’26. The Rev. C. Harold Clerke was pastor at the time. To prepare for this, the church had purchased Lot 272 (corner of Main and Fulton streets) earlier for additional space.

Architects Peter Hulsken and Lyman T. Strong, both of Lima, designed the church. William Brodbeck, of St. Marys, served as general contractor. Claude Getman, of Celina, installed the heating system, and Winter Electric, of Celina, installed the lighting.

When the work was done, the church held a week-long celebration from Oct. 10 to 17, 1926.

The current educational building, or Sunday school wing, was added in 1962. The three-floor structure houses 27 Sunday school rooms and a small chapel. It was built for $280,000. Part of the first floor is now used for Creative Discovery, a preschool.

In 1966, the sanctuary was overhauled. Prior to this remodel, the sanctuary had two aisles and also had large rolling doors at the rear. The doors were used to partition off a Sunday school class area, no longer necessary with the construction of the educational building. Pews were added at the rear to enlarge the seating area. The basement, the Fellowship Hall, was also renovated during this time.

Other major improvements of the church include the addition of the elevator in 1976, the installation of the current organ in 1980, and the addition of multi-media equipment in the sanctuary in 2002.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church now has (NUMBER) members and would like to invite you to become part of our history as we reach to the future.

Sources: “Our History: Methodist Bicentennial 1784-1984,” “Our History: 1838 to 2000,” and “Our History: 1838 to 2003.” These books are based on newspaper accounts, Mercer County history books, and records from the church and its members.