History of Faith...

Within These Walls: Celebrating 100 Years of Faithfulness  

Our beginnings were first recorded in the History of Madison Township, written by George F. Bareis and published in 1902. He wrote about Rev. James Gibruth and Andrew Murphy of the Worthington circuit serving as circuit ministers in Winchester beginning in 1838. Each circuit consisted of several places of worship scattered throughout a given area. The lay person or minister would ride on horseback from place to place spreading the gospel. This is how Methodism was introduced to the colonies. In fact, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, started ministerial circuit riding in England. Rev. Wesley’s portrait is found in the art glass of our sanctuary.  

From 1838 until 1850 members of Faith met on alternate weeks in the United Brethren meeting house. Then in 1850 a new building was erected on West Street. In 1878 it was enlarged and remodeled with the vestibule and tower being added. In the summer of 1901 it was decided to erect a new church building and a site was secured on West Street near High street. The cost of the lot was $350. In October of 1901, Architect J.C. Gault submitted plans for a 50 X 50 structure for the estimated sum of $4,267.00. The plans were accepted and the foundation was laid during October and November as preparatory to building the structure in the spring of 1902. The new building was next improved in 1920 when the original gaslights were replaced by electricity.  

Two world wars touched lives of Faith UMC. In the fall of 1916 Rev. Frank Gillilan became pastor. Quoting his record during the World War the Canal Winchester circuit responded to every call with men, money and time. Our churches were closed for several weeks because coal could not be secured to heat the buildings. Following the scarcity of coal came the awful scourge of the flu. For two winters it was impossible to carry on successful church work because of the epidemic.  

Rev. Stanley Jeffrey arrived in June 1941. Quoting from his pastoral report during the midst of WWII: “We can do without rubber, but we can’t do without repentance; we can do without sugar, but we can’t do without salvation; we can do without gasoline, but we can’t do without God; we can do without washing machines, but we can’t do without worship.”  

Thirty-three ministers served us from 1850 to 1900, and seventeen from 1900-1950. On November 19, 1950 we celebrated our 100th anniversary of the first church having been built. Two hundred people attended the morning worship service, when Dr. Warren W. Wiant, newly appointed District Superintendent, delivered the sermon, Blueprints of Tomorrow. The 1950s saw many building improvements, but the most significant was the addition of the educational wing and Fellowship Hall in 1957.  

Faith was alive with activity during this time. The Christmas season brought youth and adult dramas and pageants including the live, outdoor nativity scene. Rev. William Patterson served from 1956-59 and got the youth involved through dramas that he produced with the very able assistance of Mrs. William (Virginia) Hockman. The Music Ministry was also strong with a Chancel choir, directed by Mrs. Earl (Onalee) Kantner, as well as a Children’s Choir, directed by Mrs. John (Dottie) Derr. The Progressive Class initiated the Chicken Barbecue suppers in June 1957 donating the profits from this to the building fund. The Chicken Barbecue tradition continues today, with proceeds benefiting mission projects in the Canal Winchester area.  

In 1968 the church name was changed from the Canal Winchester Methodist Church to Faith United Methodist Church. Ten years later in 1978 a renovation of the sanctuary was completed. Rev. John Benson expressed his sentiments in the Program of Rededication of the Sanctuary: “I pray that within the walls of this sanctuary persons shall find a new reason for living, a new direction for their lives and a new understanding of God in his saving and reviewing power.”  

In 1980 a committee worked on plans for our church to sponsor a refugee family resettlement. The committee consisted of Bob Wood, Walter Moore, Dave Cornett, Earl Kantner, Jim Butts, Mary Miles, Maggie Williams and Rev. Keith Nash. This was a pioneering effort and the first time our church was involved in a project independent of our own church needs.  

Rev. Dean Feldmeyer served 11 years from 1990-2001. He started the custom of having two Christmas Eve services that included the early service for children and families at 7:00pm, and the traditional candlelight service at 11:00pm.  

Rev. Nena Bauman was appointed as our first female pastor in 2001 and served until 2005.  

During the summer of 2004 Shawna Willis along with the assistance of the youth and several adults, created a beautiful mural depicting favorite Bible stories embellished with scripture verses. This work of art may be seen along the hallways of the Education wing.  

Dr. Richard Boone was appointed as pastor to Faith in January 2006. Under his leadership the family of Faith has a new vision of God’s purpose for our congregation. Directing our Vision Team to establish our mission statement, a bold new future is in front of the congregation of Faith once again.  

(Lucille Smith Stevenson completed the First One Hundred Year History of our church in 1950. Helen Conrad, Mary Miles, Pat Hartman and Bess Hilliard provided the 1950-1981 updates. Updates provided from 1981 to present were compiled by Pat Hartman and edited by Mrs. Scott (Jill) Hartman.)