History of the Church   |   Pastors of the Church since 1924   |   Timeline of the Church of The Brethren as denomination  |  Deacons since 1924  |  Moderators since 1924  |  Organists/Pianists since 1949 | Superintendents and Primary Superintendents since 1924 |
 

History of the Church
of the Brethren in West Alexandria, OH

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 Women’s 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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Pastors and Licensed Ministers since 1924

Pastors:

          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

 

Licensed to the Ministry:

Before 1930 Noah Erbaugh

1931 Jonas Groff

1943 Quentin Evans

          Earl Shank

          Robert Simmons, Jr.

          Kenneth Whitehead

          Ed Hepner

          Mark Riege

          Ruben Steele

1987 Yvonne Riege

1999 Manfred Schreyer

2000 Joel Troxell

2001 Ernie Troxell

 

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Deacons since 1924

Arthur Henry

D.P. Groff

Harvey Erbaugh

Russel Landis

Omer Erbaugh

Roy Vrower

George Kempton

George Cooper

Walter Campbell

Paul Stebbins

UD Whitehead

Everett Cabanise

Earl Riegel

John Heppner

Stanley Buchanan

Jess Erbaugh

Henry Landis

Arthur Fortney

Dale Buckingham †

Ray Ashinger †

Paul Fox

James Fawley

Herold Erbaugh

John Tapelman

Earl Riegel

Rodney Shockey

Bud Miller

Martha Fortney †

Jane Buckingham

Dave Erbaugh

Nan Erbaugh

Ruby Shockey

Juanita Duncan †

Connie Simpson

Peg Jordan
Ben Rodeffer

Ronda Richison

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Moderators since 1924

Rev. N.B. Wine

Rev. R.N. Leatherman

Rev. Jonas Groff

Rev. Fred Hollingshead

Paul Stebins

Stanley Buchanan

Walter Campbell

Paul Kinsel

Dale Buckingham †

Bud Miller
Rodney Shockey

Terry Karns (currently)

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Organists/Pianists since 1949

Ruth Baker

Marjorie Stebbins

Nancy Storer

Martha Fortney †
Thelma Walker

Louise Grossnickle

Jane Buckingham (currently)

Denise Erbaugh

Beulah Riegel

Charlotte Hansford

Rhonda Lee (currently)

Nan Erbaugh
Linda Griffy
(currently)



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Superintendents and Primary Superintendents since 1924

 

Harvey Erbaugh

George Kemprton

Henry Landis

Jonas Froff

Ida Kempton

Earl Riegel

Stanley Buchanan

Lawrence Cooper

Richard Gilbert

Paul Kinsey

Don Riegel

Everett Cabanies

Raymond Ashinger †

John Hepner †

Arthur Fortney

John Tapalman

Donna Grossnickle

Imogene Kazee

Phillis Miley

Rhonda Richison (2000 to now)

 

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