Pictured above, the Rev. Tonya Brittain, pastor of the First English Lutheran Church, displays a quilt made by church members for the 100th anniversary celebration on Sunday, Sept. 12. The quilt features photos of the church’s history, former pastors and Brittain, signatures of current disciples and the cross as the focus. Below, The First English Lutheran Church began its ministry in 1921 at a house of worship on West Fifth Street before moving to its current location on London Avenue in the mid-1960s. (Photos submitted)
The First English Lutheran Church, 687 London Ave., will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Sunday, Sept.12 with a 4 p.m. service followed by a reception.
Optional seating outdoors will be provided for those who prefer not to sit inside, with visual and audio transmission and communion kits distributed. All clergy are invited to vest, and red stoles are encouraged, said the Rev. Tonya K. Brittain, STS, church pastor.
Dean Jeff Morlock will address the congregation with greetings from the larger Church body.
The congregational offering at the service will provide the seed money for an internship program for seminarians in partnership with St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grove City, Brittain added.
Church members have contributed their talents to commemorate the anniversary by creating a quilt, which features photos of the church’s history and its pastors, signatures of current disciples and the cross as the focus.
According to Journal-Tribune archives, “the First English Lutheran Church was formed in 1920 when a group broke away from Trinity Lutheran Church where services were in German.”
The first worship service was held at the Episcopal Mission across from the post office on North Main Street on Dec. 26, 1920.
Then, a house located at 251 W. Fifth Street was purchased from Dwight Scott by the congregation in 1921 and was converted into a church.
“A framed notification from the state of Ohio acknowledges our formation as April 18, 1921, under the leadership of Pastor H.C. Ter Vehn, and with several charter members alongside,” Brittain said. “The church informally met before then, but when looking for ‘start dates’ recognized by the registrars of the state of Ohio, they use this date.”
Founding members Walter Otte, William Scheiderer, Max Moder, Mike Daum, L.P. Rupright and O.S. Dickson signed the articles of incorporation as witnesses along with Ter Vehn on April 18, 1921.
On Aug. 14, 1921, it was consecrated as a church, according to archives. In the fall of 1921, the congregation became a member of the Synod of Ohio, United Lutheran Church in America, by formal action of the Synod.
The church council began the preparation for a new house of worship In the spring of 1942. The 3.12 acres on London Avenue (the current location) were eventually purchased in 1961. Ground was broken on the property on April 12, 1964, and the cornerstone was laid on June 14, 1964. The first service in the new church was held on Jan. 31, 1965, and the dedication was held on March 28, 1965.
Pastors of the First English Lutheran Church include the Rev. H.C. Ter Vehn (1921-1923), the Rev. George Keister (1923-1927), the Rev. Paul E. Keyser (1928-1930), the Rev. Dana H. Johnson (1930-1933), the Rev. H. Edmond Hamme (1934-1938), the Rev. Paul E. Plaster (1939-1942), the Rev. James W. Miller (1943-1945), the Rev. George W. Dittmar (1945-1966), the Rev. Harry L. Myers (1966-1968), the Rev. Frederick L. Haynes (1968-1970), the Rev. James Baldwin (1971-1985), the Rev. Hank Langnecht (1986-1996), the Rev. R.R. Genzman (1997-2005), the Rev. Paul A. Schultz (2006-2015) and Brittain (2016-present).
Additionally, members made bookmarks to distribute and church archives will be on display for congregation members to view during the event.
The First English Lutheran Church will also retire the current baptismal font bowl and dedicate a new bowl, candle holder, and sacrament veils on Sept. 12.
Brittain said the church originally planned to mark the milestone on April 18, a century after the church officially began its ministry. However, the celebration was postponed because of public health concerns among the COVID-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, the church will celebrate Rally Day on Sept. 12 as part of the new Christian education year.
“This year’s theme is ‘Let Me Be Your Servant.’” Brittain said.
The church members are planning to meet on Sept. 12 at 9:15 a.m. to prepare 100 flood buckets and other supplies to aid the North American Lutheran Church Disaster Response efforts. A “Stuff the Truck” drive will take place on Sept. 19, and Mary Bates, coordindator of North American Lutheran Church Disaster Response, will be onsite with the warehouse vehicle to collect what was prepared the week before.
The First English Lutheran Church has a a total membership of 105, with 65 individuals engaged in ministry regularly.
“It’s a smaller church, but it’s got a big heart,” Brittain said, adding that members provide service to others as they are called to do through their faith.
Currently on Sundays, the Lutheran church holds children’s Christian education classes at 9:15 a.m. and worship services at 10:30 a.m. Bible study groups meet on Thursdays at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Church office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, contact the pastor at 937-642-8571 or at felc687pastor@gmail.com.