Austintown quilting group has history of service

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Neighbors | Submitted.Members of Ladies Aide Quilters of Austintown Community Evangelical Covenant Church work together to complete a quilt.

Nimble fingers and patience are two qualities needed by the Ladies Aide Quilters of Austintown Community Evangelical Covenant Church, 242 S. Canfield-Niles Road in Austintown. The members of the group will be celebrating 90 years of service in February with a birthday party.

Originally called the Ladies Aide Society, the group was formed on March 9, 1922. Its purpose was to raise money for the church through various projects. These projects included working in the dining tent at the Canfield Fair and raising money for the church building fund. This made possible the burning of the final note at the dedication of the church in 1924.

Over the years, members have become quilters and today the group of sometimes two to six members also earns money by making quilts for other people, quilt tops, baby quilts and occasionally holding a quilt raffle.

The quilters meet at the church in the fireplace room on Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. and break for lunch and fellowship.

“We have a wonderful time together because we don’t discuss politics or religion,” said Esma Elliott, a member since 1988.

“Anyone who is interested in learning to quilt is welcome. We would be very happy to teach them,” said Vera Orosz.

It takes about two and a half months to finish a queen size quilt. Members complete about five a year. The baby quilts are a little easier to do. The group made 26 last year and the quilts are available to anyone for $35 each.

Money earned last year from quilting was donated to the Need Room and utilities of the church, Second Harvest, Salvation Army, the Mineral Ridge Need Room, Rescue Mission, Sojourner House, Veterans of the Cross and Protestant Family Service. A full size quilt and two baby quilts were also donated to the Rescue Mission.

Current members are Esma Elliott, Vera Orosz and Joyce Shood of Austintown Community Church; Sue Macias of St. Joseph Parish; Shirley Dull of the Mineral Ridge Presbyterian Church and Nancy Locke of the Ellsworth Presbyterian Church.

For more information, contact Elliott at 330-799-4759 or Orosz at 330-533-3814.