Our church once known as the Lower Twin Church was organized in 1830 and
presided over by Elder John Brower for 33 years. In 1845, the first church was
built on his farm in Lanier Township, at the corner of Enterprise and East
Carlton Roads, and was used until 1874.
In the meantime, the Sugar Hill church was built in 1858 to serve the members
in this area. This building was torn down and the good timbers were used in
erecting our new church in West Alexandria in 1923-1924.
The churches, Tom Run and Sugar Hill, were served by several Elders and
Ministers during the years before a full-time pastor was installed. Israel
Brower, David Flory, Jacob Lowman, Ezra Gilbert, Francis Cotterman, Landon West,
Jonas Horning, D.M. Garver, Aaron Brubaker, Emanuel Shank, J. Franklin Brubaker,
Noah Erbaugh, Samuel Miller, Noah Berry, John Good, B.F. Petry and Frank Brower
took turns preaching without pay.
During the Eldership of B.F. Petry, 1920 to 1935, the Toms Run Church was
sold and the Sugar Hill Church, which stood just east of the Sugar Hill
cemetery, was dismantled. The new church was built and dedicated in 1923 and
1924.
In February 1923, it was decided to have three men from outside the district
come in and make a study as to where to locate the new church. J.A. Robinson,
S.A. Blessing and Levi Minnich, after much study, located it in West Alexandria.
George Kempton, D.P. Groff, Arthur Henry, William Brubaker and Mardo Buckingham
served on the building committee.
Rev. Franklin Brubaker and wife donated two lots and the same plans were used
as the Bradford Church. The estimated cost was $24,000 and 75% of the money was
raised or solicited before the building was started. Mr. and Mrs. William
Brubaker donated the bell. An auction was held at the Sugar Hill Church, many
things were sold and the result of the sale was $66.03. The Toms Run Church was
sold for $1,710 and $79.50 was the result of another auction there.
Many members donated hours and equipment helping to dig the basement, haul
gravel from Twin Creek and haul in fill dirt after the church was built. Native
maple trees were planted around the church.
R.N. Leatherman became the first pastor. He served the church until 1929,
receiving around $1,500 a year.
John H. Good, who was installed in 1919, became a part-time pastor and
managed a shoe store on the side. In 1931, he answered the call to the
Springfield Church and Jonas Groff, who was licensed by our church in 1931,
became the next pastor. He served during the depression and deserves much credit
for helping the church financially, nearly always endorsing his check and giving
it back to the treasurer.
Rev. Paul Kinsel became a part-time pastor in 1941 and served until 1946. In
1945, the mortgage for the new church had been paid. Rev. John Good returned as
a full-time pastor in 1946. This same year the lot east of the church was
purchased in contemplation of building a parsonage there some day. New hymnals
were purchased in 1951 and shrubs planted around the church in 1953. The Arthur
Henry family donated loud speakers.
A piano had been used until the new Conn Electric Organ was installed in
1949. The children of D.P. Groff donated the chimes in memory of their parents.
Modern fold doors were placed in the basement in 1954 and the front of the
church was remodeled in 1958. In 1958, Emory Smith was installed as pastor.
Rev. Marion Petry came in 1962 and resigned in 1966 to do social work. Rev.
Jesse Pittman who left in 1971 followed him. The new Allen Organ was purchased
in 1966 and the house across the street was purchased in 1955 to serve as our
parsonage at that time.
Rev. Don Deffenbaugh ministered to the congregation for about 18 months. In
1972 the Womens Fellowship purchased a food trailer to serve the community and
to use the profits from their sales to help the church.
Rev. John Martin became our pastor in 1973 and we celebrated the 50th
anniversary on April 28, 1974. Paul Kinsel was the guest speaker that
morning.
The new parsonage was built east of the church
with members donating their time and talent. The old parsonage was sold so we
were debt free on this new home. When Rev. Martin retired, Burt Wolf came to us
as a seminary student in September 1978 and was ordained 34 months later.
Between 1983 and 1985 the kitchen was remodeled and we began our annual
turkey suppers with profit going to outreach programs. A pictorial directory was
done so each home had one.
The sound system was updated, new hymnals purchased, new copy machine and the
benches were covered. Beulah Riegel did all the calligraphy on the inside of the
hymnals. A Judy Wolf Memorial Fund was started and, out of that, money was given
to a student member of our church to attend college. Ceiling fans were installed
in the church and, in 1985, one acre was purchased at Woodlawn Altars. This was
to help lower the debt for the campgrounds. New choir robes were purchased and a
new water cooler installed but the old water fountain remains as it was
installed when the church was built.
In the fall of 1985, Rev. Burton Wolf accepted a call to West Milton and Rev.
Jim Davis became the pastor.
The following have been licensed as ministers from our congregation since
1924: Jonas Groff, Quentin Evans, Earl Shank, Edward Hepner, Kenneth Whitehead,
Robert Simmons Jr., Mark Riege, Ruben Steel. Manfred Schreyer (1998), Joel
Troxell (2000), Ernie Troxell (2001).
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1924-29 Roland N. Leatherman
after the dedication of the
church he held a revival and many souls were saved. Salary about
$1,500.00/annum
1929-31 John H. Good
(part-time)
was installed by our church
in 1919 as part time pastor. He received $100.00/month and managed
a shoe store on the side. In 1931 he answered a call to the
Springfield Church. (check 1946)
1931-41 Jonas Groff
(part-time)
he served during the
depression and deserves much credit for helping the church financially,
nearly always endorsing his check and giving it back to the treasurer.
1941-46 Paul W. Kinsel
(part-time)
After he finished his
schooling, he accepted the call to the Trotwood Church of the Brethren
in 1950.
1946-58 John H. Good
returned to serve on full
time basis. He accepted a call to the Castine Church of the
Brethren in 1958.
1958-62 Emory Smith
1962-66 Marion L. Petry
He left the church with the
desire to do social work
1966-71 Jesse Pittman
He resigned to go back to
North Carolina
1971-73 Donald Deffenbaugh
he resigned to do other work
1973-78 John C. Martin
1978-85 Burton H. Wolf
came to us as a seminary
student. Burton had resigned his principalship at Monroe Franklin High
School. He was part-time for approximately two years and then
became our full time pastor. In 1985 he accepted a call to the West Milton Church of the
Brethren
1985-89 James Davis
1989-91 Ruben H. Steele
(part-time)
1991-95 Phillip Dell
1995-99 Matthew Fike
(part-time)
1999-
Feb. 2002 Manfred Schreyer (part-time)
Manfred had filled the pulpit
as a guest preacher for Pastor Matthew Fike several times. Manfred
and Matthew were seminary students at Bethany Theological Seminary. We
had asked him to be our interim pastor during our search for a new
pastor after Matthew left. The congregation then asked Manfred to
stay as part-time pastor and Manfred agreed.
Joel Troxell - Youth
Pastor 2000-2001 (part-time)
Joel was hired as the youth
pastor for our congregation. Joel resigned to pursue other
interests.
2002-Dec 2007
Manfred Schreyer (full-time)
After much prayer and discernment
Manfred decided in February of 2002 to enter the ministry full time. He liquidated his
businesses and the congregation voted unanimously to accept Manfred as their
full time pastor.
In September 2007
Manfred opted not to renew his contract for 2008