Ohltown UMC honors the past, looks to future

By Linda M. Linonis

MINERAL RIDGE — Ohltown United Methodist Church links the past to the present. It’s the only building still located in its original location in what was Ohltown Village.

The small community on the edge of Austintown and Weathersfield townships ceased to exist in 1929 when the Meander Reservoir was created. Although there is no longer a village, the church still bears the village name, as do some roads, including the church location at 2001 Ohltown Road. The reservoir is across the road.

The church played an integral part in the village, and its rich 170-year history is intertwined with its location. A history of Ohltown, written by a former church member, described Ohltown as a trading center, named for an early settler, Michael Ohl.

During the 1810s, Ohl built a sawmill and gristmill, and the Methodist congregation first held services in the gristmill. In the early 19th century, a plank turnpike was built between Wellsville and Warren, and Ohltown prospered because a toll had to be paid there. The history of Ohltown notes that during the time from the 1840s to the 1890s, the village added a school, inns, blacksmith shop, tannery, coal mining operation and farming. All that is gone. The Methodist congregation built a church in September 1908 that was damaged by fire in 1921. In 1952, another fire destroyed the church; it was rebuilt using the same foundation.

Willovene Plant was baptized at the church and became a member of the congregation when she was 12 years old. She has the distinction of being a member for the long- est time, 63 years. “One of my earliest memories of coming to church was my mother going in one door and my father another,” she said.

Separate doors for the two genders was protocol in the Methodist church for many years. “Women didn’t have the same privileges as men,” said Joan Garhart, another member, noting that decades ago, women weren’t ministers nor could they hold positions in the church.

Plant said the practice fell by the wayside in the late 1940s.

Another longtime member, Walt Shively, has been attending the church since he was a child. “I remember coming with my mother,” the 92-year-old said. “We used to come by horse and buggy.” He’s been a member for some 50 years.

Recently, Shively and Wade Rose, another member, presented a program on church history that was videotaped. The video is something future generations can watch to learn about the church legacy. “It was interesting to do,” Shively said.

Though the history of the church and its reflection of longevity hold a special place for members, it’s the people ... the families ... who have maintained an affiliation with this church and kept it viable.

“It’s a very caring and welcoming place,” said Linda Hahn, secretary of church council.

Shively added, “It’s like family here.”

“It’s home” is how Plant described the church and its people. And another member, Lillian Divelbiss said, “It’s comfortable.”

The Rev. Vernon Shepherd, a newcomer to the church, has been pastor since July. “I was impressed by members’ friendliness and concern for one another,” he said.

The Rev. Mr. Shepherd, who had previously pastored churches in the Akron area, also said he took note that the congregation of 180 was able to give 100 percent of its obligation to World Service, which supports missions. “I think it was a real accomplishment for a congregation of this size,” he said.

Though the church is small, it has achieved much. Mr. Shepherd said that is how the Rev. Orlando Chaffee, Mahoning Valley district superintendent of the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church, described the church.

“The church has some history of members’ going into the ministry and mission work,” Mr. Shepherd added.

Church members listed Gail Hoover, a missionary in Rhodesia; her brother, James Hoover, in campus ministry; George Waggoner, missionary in India; and Charlie Yoost, David Lind and Ellis Marshman, who became ministers, as congregants who went on to other service.

The church members also noted young people of the church, still in college or starting their careers, reflect these examples in the humanitarian projects in which they are involved.

The generosity of spirit of the congregation also has been demonstrated in its Caring Ministry that attends to local and immediate needs.

That caring extends to other efforts, both past and present, and the church has:

USent mission groups to Mexico three times.

UVolunteered at Warren and Youngstown Rescue Missions and with Protestant Family Service and United Methodist Center in Youngstown.

USponsored a Sower Project that helped people with work on their homes.

ULent support to the Red Bird Mission in Kentucky.

UBuilt a ramp for a handicapped local resident.

UMade monetary and food donations to the Mineral Ridge Community Parish Association and Greater Austintown Ministerial Association.

UDistributed food baskets during holidays.

The church also reaches out to visitors with a follow-up visit by a member who gives a coffee mug filled with candy or a phone call.

In years past, the church held a free Thanksgiving Day dinner for the congregation and community. “Everyone gathered here for that,” Plant said. “It didn’t change for a long time,” added Adria Hood.

Now the Thanksgiving event has evolved into a fundraiser, including a bazaar and family-style turkey dinner.

This year’s event will be Nov. 15. “There is homemade candy, and we have excellent bakers here,” Hahn said.

Proceeds benefit the church and its ministries. For information on dinner reservations for various seating times, call the church at (330) 652-6614. Among other church activities are Bible study sessions, Advent programs, Lenten breakfasts, men’s breakfasts, a United Methodist women’s group and a prayer group.

“They are generous in their prayers for one another,” Mr. Shepherd said. “We pray for members and people in the community,” Plant said.

The church also has a choir, which often presents special music.

A church member, centenarian Earla Smith, hosts two events at his family farm — his birthday celebration and a harvest festival that will be Oct. 26 in conjunction with Founders’ Day.