Struthers UMC celebrates anniversary

Staff report

struthers

Struthers United Methodist Church celebrated its 100th anniversary for the church building at 33 Sexton St. on Sept. 12.

The Rev. Doug Theobald led a service organized and planned by the worship committee, led by Beverly Raybuck. The Rev. Dan Bryant, district superintendent, also spoke.

Laverne Cox and Louise Ecelbarger, who both turned 90 this year, are the oldest living members of the congregation and shared many of their fond memories.

After the service, a dinner took place and Mayor Terry Stocker spoke of the church he attended as a child. The Rev. Bob Noble provided music.

One hundred years ago, when Struthers was still a village with a few scattered buildings and Bridge Street was just an ash road, a small dedicated group of men and women met at the home of John Mincher to form a Methodist Society. On March 23, 1886, the people started meeting on the banks of Yellow Creek in between willow trees. During the winter months, the church meetings were in members’ homes.

Church in those days was as uncomplicated as life in the community itself.

Lowellville, Coitsville and Struthers shared one pastor.

The original congregation consisted of 40 people and they organized the Struthers Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1890, a modest church was built on State Street at the cost of $1,800.

By 1900 Struthers became a “boom town.” Men brought their families from other communities seeking jobs in the steel mills. The rapidly increasing population necessitated the building of a new church.

In 1909, the lot on which the church now stands was built and dedicated in 1911. The cost was $18,000.

In the early 1930s, the Depression gave the church an opportunity to dispense clothing and food to the needy.

Struthers Methodist Church became the official name in June 1940.

It wasn’t until 1968 that the Methodist Church joined with the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the name Struthers United Methodist Church was adopted.

Among activities at the church are Bible studies, two women’s groups, men’s group, quilters who meet every Thursday, Canfield Fair Project, church dinners, Prayer Shawl Ministry and youth group.

Previously, Struthers UMC partnered with Mahoning Valley Food Bank and hosted a food pantry in the church for 28 years. It closed in 2005.

In 2009, the church joined with area churches and organizations to provide holiday food baskets for the needy during Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas through the Joshua Care Depot.