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Members of the Woodstock Community Church Corporation are working to save the 165-year-old Universalist Church on Bennett Street.
Saving a piece of Woodstock history
January 14, 2009 at 11:50 am
By CORINNE BIX
The Woodstock Community Church Corporation (WCCC) has a passion for the preservation of history, and members hope that their enthusiasm will inspire others to help a local church that dates back 165 years.
The WCCC is working in conjunction with the Woodstock Lions Club and is actively fundraising for the restoration of the Universalist Church located on Bennett Street in Woodstock.
John Westfall, 80, is a lifelong northeast Champaign County resident. He is both a member of the Lions Club and serves on the WCCC board of directors.
Westfall said he sometimes attended the historic church as a child.
“The original church was built in 1844,” he said. “It burned down in 1894 and was rebuilt and opened in 1900.”
Westfall said some of the original structure was saved and the buildings ornate stained glass windows were added in 1926.
“The theme of the stained glass windows is the Civil War,” Westfall said.
The structure features two large stained glass windows, with approximately a dozen other stained glass windows throughout.
The large window in the front features two Civil War soldiers at the bottom, and Union General Logan is depicted at the top. In addition, four of the center windows feature Civil War medals.
“There were more soldiers that joined the Civil War from Woodstock and Rush Township per capita than any other community in the state of Ohio,” Westfall said.
The main sanctuary can be divided in half by a wall of folding wood doors. The front portion of the sanctuary needs structural repairs. The rear section is cosmetically in better shape and is used regularly by the Gospel Mission group for worship.
Westfall said the Lion’s Club hopes to raise $250,000 for restoration of the property.
The first phase will include fixing the roof, downspouts and sealing the exterior brick and stone.
Westfall said an initial bid for repairing the roof came in at $60,000. The group has raised $5,000 through a calendar sale and group meals held at the Lion’s Club.
The group hopes to complete the exterior renovations this year. Interior projects will include basic cleanup, interior wall repair and painting and new flooring.
The original pulpit is still used regularly by the Gospel Mission. Westfall said the hope is some of the original pews can be saved during the restoration process.
Plans for the church are for it to remain a place of worship and for fellowship.
“It will probably remain a church and probably have some dual purpose, including being a meeting place and a shelter,” Westfall said.
The Woodstock Lion’s Club will sponsor a spaghetti dinner fundraiser Saturday. Westfall said donations will be appreciated. The club plans on holding various meals each month, with a fish dinner in February and a pancake breakfast in March.
In addition, other fundraisers are in the works, including a possible car show and rummage sale.
The Woodstock Community Church Corporation was officially formed last year and holds regular board of director meetings. Representatives include mayor Jackie Hayes of Woodstock, Champaign County Commissioner Max Coates, Frank Summerfield, sole remaining original member of the church’s board of directors, Tisha Collier from Gospel Mission and three members of the Lion’s Club.
For more information on the church project contact Westfall at (937)747-3742 or George West at (937)826-1107.
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