jerusalem lutheran church

jerusalem lutheran church

History and more

Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 415 S. Main St., Columbiana, will celebrate its 200th anniversary Oct. 18. A worship service will be at 10:30 a.m. with Bishop Abraham Allende of Northeastern Ohio Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Betty Jane Willis as organist. A luncheon will follow with singer Cathy Dyer. God’s Squad will present a concert at 2 p.m. An open house will continue to 5 p.m. and visitors may tour the church and Peace Garden; members will answer questions.

The beginning: Joshan Dixon founded Columbiana in 1805 and the ministerial organization of Pennsylvania sent a missionary, John Stough, to Columbiana County. In 1812, all territory west of the mountains was designated the Western Conference of the Lutheran Church. In 1818, the Ohio Synod was organized. In 1813, the Rev. John Peter Mahnenschmidt preached in a log cabin on Public Square. In 1814, the School and Meeting House Society of Columbiana provided a meeting place for religious groups. Reformed and Lutheran members built Jerusalem Church, site of the present-day Grace church. The two groups were separately organized. In 1866, the Reformed Church bought the Lutheran interest in the building. In 1867, the Lutheran congregation built a church on South Main Street and the first service was in 1868.

Threats: Jerusalem offered services in German and English. During World War I, threats were received because of the German services. Men of the congregation took turns staying in the church. In 1913, it was agreed that the German service would be in the parsonage; German was phased out in 1923.

Addition: The congregation had increased and a building committee was elected. The congregation had 723 communicants and 75 members who could vote. The Sunday school had a membership of 175. A north wing was added and doubled the seating capacity while the basement was finished for social and Sunday school purposes. The steeple was removed and a belfry tower built.

Altar: The Luther League bought a hand-carved wooden altar in 1943. It has five carved spires with gold leaf on each side of a central spire that is topped by a brass star. The central lighted niche features a statue of Christ.

Growing: In 1951, the congregation had a groundbreaking in June with the dedication Nov. 2, 1952. New stained-glass windows were added to the church during this renovation included the New Jerusalem Window in the front of the building. The stained-glass windows from the old church were placed in what was then the church parlor. In 1967, classrooms were added for the nursery and kindergarten, a new kitchen and restrooms. A covered entranceway from Luther Hall to Hyland Court was added. In-car speakers were approved and six speakers installed. Other improvements since 1967 include utilizing the old bell into the sign at the front of the building, adding a carillon that chimes and plays hymns at noon daily, installing a handicap-accessible ramp on the south side of the building and installing a new sound system.

Stained-glass windows: The New Jerusalem Window faces Main Street symbolizes the disciple St. John’s vision of a New Jerusalem with Christ, the central figure. The window was made by the Pittsburgh Art Glass Co. The rose window over the altar symbolizes communion and the forgiveness of sins. The sanctuary windows are different scenes from the life of Christ. Narthex windows symbolize faith, hope and love. Lutheran emblem is in black, red, white, blue and gold and Latin Cross is a symbol of the Church. Former library and choir room windows were kept from the original building and include the lily and Rose of Sharon, both symbols of Christ. Other windows are Good Shepherd and Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Other features: The baptismal font was installed in 1926. The pulpit has a sword and Bible, symbols of the word of God. The lectern bears the symbol of the flaming torch, symbolic of the light received through the reading of God’s word.

Source: Church history