A Brief
Church History
Paulding United Methodist Church
Paulding, Ohio

In 1850, the Village of Paulding was platted. That same year the North Ohio Conference appropriated ninety dollars for the Paulding Mission. Joseph Shaw was appointed preacher and the Paulding Society was formed. Until 1870 services were held in the school and in the old court house. The court house was a row of framed buildings along the east side of Main Street, across from the present court house (pictured right from a memory drawing -- courtesy of the Paulding County Carnegie Library).  Paulding grew slowly at first and it was still part of a virtual wilderness. Bears and other animals roamed the streets at night. Sidewalks, if built, were of wood. Streets were passable in good weather. It was not easy to find good trails or roads leading into and out of town because of the swamp. There were 22 different circuit riders who served the church before there was a permanent minister.

The Methodists were the first to build a church in Paulding. They constructed a frame building on land owned by the school board, at the present site of Paulding High School. This church (pictured left) was completed in 1872 at a cost of $1,000.

Most people in town walked to church, but the people in the country drove in and tied their horses to hitching posts.  This created a fly problem in the summer when the doors and windows were open. The local funeral home helped solve this problem by furnishing large hand-operated palm fans to create a breeze that kept the flies moving on to the next person.

The school board decided to build a new brick school building on North Water Street, so it was necessary for the Methodist church to move. Three hundred and fifty dollars was paid to Wm. and Martha Straw for lot 93 on North Williams Street. The church was moved there in 1883. The church ceased to be on a circuit but was made a station in 1887 with the Rev. William Philpott as full-time pastor. The congregation had 125 members.

As the congregation more than doubled to 300 members it was decided a new, bigger church was needed. The cornerstone for the present church was laid on June 24, 1898. The building was completed by February 1899 for a cost of $12,000.  The pastor was William Hook. George Donart was Sunday School Superintendent. Dedication services were held on Sunday, February 12, 1899.

In the early days, as was the custom locally, the women and young children sat on one side of the church and the men sat on the other side. There was an area called the "Amen Corner" usually occupied by some of the more vocal men of the church. They would often punctuate the minister's sermons with loud "Amens". One of the highlights of each winter's services was a week of revival services. Sometimes they extended into a second week if there was enough enthusiasm. Many sinners came to the alter to be saved during these meetings. It is noted that some of the same people needed saving -- and were saved -- year after year.

The church has been filled with music. Around 1913 a pipe organ was built by a West Virginia craftsman. The pipe room, console and platforms have been modified over the years. Adult choirs, junior choirs and bell choirs have blessed the congregation.

In about 1940, after falling into disrepair, the steeple was removed. The base of the steeple was repaired and replaced at that time at a cost of $80. To date, the entire steeple has not been replaced.

Service organizations have included the Alph Philathea Class, The Epworth League (a young people's organization), The Queen Esthers (a young women's missionary society), The Cradle Roll, The Gleaners Society (later changed to the Wesleyan Service Guild, a circle of employed women), Couples Club, and Methodist Mates. Bible Study and Prayer Groups have long been a part of the church's mission.

The present building has been modified throughout the years to include a full, usable basement, air-conditioning and the installation of an elevator.

[Source:  From historical notes of Marilyn (Shrider) Ladd, 50 year member of the Paulding UMC and Church Historian.]
 

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