Church History
History of the West Lafayette United Methodist Church
From History and Records Committee resources including oral and written input from Lorena Sims and Betty Darr
Compiled by Jane Ann Eckelberry
The West Lafayette United Methodist Church can trace its heritage to two Methodist churches built in the 1800s, one a Methodist Protestant church and one a Methodist Episcopal church. In the early years of these churches meetings were held in private homes. The area may have been served at some earlier point by circuit riders.
The Methodist Protestants met in private homes beginning 1831 with the Methodist Protestant Society known as the Loos' Class. The Methodist Episcopal members met in area homes beginning in 1852.
Methodism in public buildings in this area began with the Methodist Protestant Society or Class meeting in the Loos Log School House east of West Lafayette on Cadiz Road, now State Route 751. In 1842 the Methodist Protestants built a church on the north side of Cadiz Road which was known as the Plains Chapel, Ferguson Church, or Brick Chapel Church. The Methodist Protestants met there until 1892 when they built what became known as the Main Street Church at the corner of Main Street and Gay Street in West Lafayette, Ohio.
The Methodist Episcopal members built a church at the northeast corner of Wall Street and now Russell Avenue in 1858 and later built at the southeast corner of Oak Street and now Russell Avenue in West Lafayette, Ohio. This church was known as the Trinity Church.
The Methodist Protestant, Methodist Episcopal, and AME became the Methodist Church in 1939, and the Main Street and Trinity Churches merged in 1958 to become the Methodist Church of West Lafayette. The Sanctuary, Phase 1 of the current building, was built at Union Avenue and Oak Street in 1962. Phase 2 added an Education Wing to the West Lafayette United Methodist Church in 1968. The Methodist Church, United Church of Christ, and Evangelical United Brethren became the United Methodist Church in 1969. The Family Christian Life Center, Phase 3, was consecrated in 2001.
Chronological Outline
1831 Methodist Protestant Society Known as Loos' Class Met in private homes
1836 Methodist Protestant Society or Class Met at Loos Log School House east of West Lafayette on now 751
1842 Methodist Protestant built church on north side of Cadiz Road Now State Route 751, just east of the intersection of Orchard Street at College Park
Church called Plains Chapel, Ferguson Church or Brick Chapel Church Met there until 1892
1852 Methodist Episcopal met in homes
1858 Methodist Episcopal built church at Northeast corner of Wall Avenue & Russell Avenue
1887 Methodist Episcopal built church at Southeast corner of Russell Avenue & Oak Street
1892 Methodist Protestant built church at Southeast corner of Main Street & Gay Street
1939 Methodist Protestant + Methodist Episcopal + AME became Methodist Church
1958 Merger of the Trinity Methodist Church and Main Street Methodist Church
To be known as The Methodist Church of West Lafayette
1962 Methodist Church phase 1 Sanctuary built at Union Avenue & Oak Street
1968 Phase 2 Education Wing built
1969 Methodist Church + United Church of Christ + Evangelical United Brethren became United Methodist Church
1969 Trinity Methodist Church, known as Asbury Hall, torn down and bell saved
1976 Bell Tower erected
2001 Phase 3 Family Life Center built in 2000 was consecrated January 4, 2001
Organ History
The current organ was built in 1936 by A.J. Schantz & Sons of Orville, Ohio. This family company has been in business for over 150 years. A.J. Schantz & Sons still maintains and tunes the organ. The organ was originally in the Methodist Protestant Church on Main Street and moved to the Oak Street Church. It was taken back to the factory and rebuilt before being installed.
2017 ORGAN REPAIR PROJECT
The organ is in need of repairs due to age and bat activity from many years ago. Repair to the blower will cost $4,321.00, re-leathering of pipes $7,921.00 and cleaning $2,198.00 for a total of $14,440.00. If cleaning and pipe work are scheduled and done together, it will save $1,267.00. As of May 2017, we have received $3,260.00 with a remaining balance of $11,180.00. So please make this a priority to your thoughtful giving. We appreciate the support for the organ project.
Marvin Troendly,
Finance Chairperson
2017 ORGAN REPAIRS
The blower was replaced on June 19 and cost $4,321.00. Releathering of pipes will cost $7,921.00 and cleaning the bat debris will be $2,198.00 for a total of $14,440.00. If cleaning and pipe work are scheduled and done together, it will save $1,267.00. So we still need your giving above and beyond your regular giving to get this much-needed organ work done. We need to take care of our valuable organ! We appreciate your support!!
Church Bulletin
June 25, 2017
Pastoral History
This is a partial list of pastors.
Dates for some have not been found and the status of some is uncertain because titles varied - President, Pastor, Assistant, etc.
Main Street Methodist Protestant
Date Pastor
1836 Rev. Robinson
Samuel Lancaster
T. Bache
Jeremiah Bidison
Richardson
Ross
Cass
Reeves
Joel Baldwin
John Murphy
1857 Israel Thrapp
1864 John Baker
1873-76 G. W. Hessey
1876-77 J. H. Hamilton
1879-82 W. L. Wells
J. W. Rice
J. A Thrapp
1885 S. S. Fisher
J. T. Black
Dean
1895 F. L Brown
H. M. Peebles
C. A. Ismer
C. E. Sheppard
C. C. Falkenstine
1921-24 D. L. Custis
1924-29 Fred Gilhausen
1929-34 George Beck
1934-40 Olyn Hull
1940-44 Lloyd Yoder
1944-46 Ira Rife
1946-48 Russell Bohner
1948-51 Glenn Lockard
1951-52 Virgil Turner
1952-55 Carolton Heinline
1955-57 Norman Prichard
1957-59 James Cox, Co-Pastor
Trinity Methodist Episcopal
Date Pastor
Bradshaw and White
1857 James Bray and C. H. Edwards
1858 Sinsebaugh and R. Hayes
1859 T. Davison and H. M. Close
1861 S. H. Hickman and J. J. Neigh
1862 W. R. Fouch
1863 W. D. Stevens
1864 William Shaw
1865 W. L. Dixon
1866 J. H. White
1867 J. E. Starkey and M. C. Harris
1868 J. W. Toland
1868-70 J. W. Weaver "Preacher"
1869 H. M. Radar "Junior Preacher"
1870 T. W. Anderson
1871-73 D. Falbraith
1874 H. H. Pershing
1875-77 J. W. Fouts
1878-80 John I. Wilson
1881-83 J. J. Jackson
1884 D. D. Knowles
1885-87 John Beetham
1888-92 J. W. Satterthwaite
1893-95 Samuel F. Ross
1896 G. T. Humble
1897 John Weir
1898 N. B. Stewart
1899-1902 J. G. Exline
1902-05 G. E. Rainsberger
1905-08 E. H. Roberts
1908-11 W. C. Rain
1911-14 J. E. Russell
1914-17 S. F. Wood
1917-21 T. I. McRae
1922-25 M. W. Bevington
1925-28 O. M. Peoples
1928-32 E. E. Wheeler
1932-33 George Davis
1933-35 William Power
1935-38 Harry J. Young
1938-47 S. P. Ozmun
1947-53 R. A. Hall
1953-55 S. S. Burnett
1955-59 William Boone, Co-Pastor
West Lafayette United Methodist Church
Pastors current building 1962-
Date Pastor
1959-64 David Patton
1964-66 Paul Olinger
1966-72 Charles V. Ireland
1972-79 Orville O. Wilson
1979-85 Kenneth Baillis
1985-93 William E. Norman
1993-2002 Kenneth W. Anderson
2002-2007 James H. Woodring
2007-2014 Sue E. Chidley
2014-2017 William E. Buckeye
2017-Current Matthew Anderson