The Story of St. John's United Church of Christ, Massillon Ohio.
St. John’s United Church of Christ started out as St. John’s Evangelical Congregational Protestant Church and was originally German, being organized by families who came either directly from Germany or from states to the east of Ohio. As far back as 1811, German services were held by traveling ministers in the village of Kendal. Among the first preachers were the Revs. Wagenholt and Weier. Later, Rev. Benjamin Faust and Rev. Cordetz preached in Massillon, the latter pastor confirming a class here. In the early 1830s, the citizens of Massillon erected a primitive building for religious purposes, to be used by all, regardless of creed or language.
The year 1837 is accepted as the birthday of our congregation. In the latter part of that year, Rev. J. G. Buettner, DD, from East Prussia, took charge of the thirty-family congregation, and was the first German pastor to reside in Massillon. Services were held in the third story of a building located at the southeast corner of Main and Erie Streets. For a short time, the basement of the Baptist Church was used. On February 6, 1838, a lot on the southeast corner of Oak and 3rd Streets was purchased from the Massillon Rolling Mill Company, upon which a small stone church 40 feet by 50 feet by 8 feet high, with ten windows was erected in 1839, at a cost of $1000. The first Constitution dates from 1839, the same year in which the congregation was incorporated by an act of the Ohio legislature.
In the summer of 1840, Dr. Buettner resigned and returned to Germany. For the next 18 months, Rev. Peter Herbruck cared for the orphaned charge, preaching here every two weeks. During this time, many families were added to the congregation. Rev. J. Kaemmerer, from Pittsburgh, served from 1842 through 1843, and Rev. A. Biedermann of Uniontown, Ohio preached every two weeks for three years until he was no longer permitted to serve, as he was not a member of the Eastern Ohio Synod.
In October 1847, Rev. J. M. Steiner of Canal Dover was called to St. John’s and stayed with the congregation for six years. IN 1853 he was succeeded by Rev. G. Abele, who also came from Canal Dover. At this time a parsonage was built at a cost of $1850, and a schoolroom for $350.
Rev. Weissgerber was elected to succeed Rev. Abele, and during his pastorate seventeen families separated from St. John’s, over a dispute regarding the conduct of the church’s parochial school, and founded the congregation of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Massillon. Rev. Dr. H. Kortheuer of Terre Haute, Indiana received and accepted a congregational call in 1864, and served until 1878. It became evident that the old church building was too small, and the congregation decided to build a new one. The original church was later used as a carpenter and a copper shop.
On August 23, 1865, the site upon which our present building stands was purchased for the sum of $1600. The following year, work on the second church began. It took almost two years to finish the edifice, at a cost of $26,000. Owing to some miscalculations and neglect, the building was not as architecturally sound as it should have been, with a too-flat roof, and bulging wall. In 1870, important and costly repairs were required to keep the roof from caving in.
A pipe organ was purchased from M. Pampletz in Baltimore, Maryland, and a bell from J. G. Stuckstede & Brothers of St. Louis. A new parsonage was erected at a cost of $2400, and a schoolhouse for Sunday School classes and choir practices was added to the church at a cost of $1400.
After 13 years of faithful labor, Rev. Kortheurer resigned, and on Easter Sunday 1878, Rev. O. W. Schettler of Cleveland was unanimously elected as pastor. Rev. B. Broesel assisted Rev. Schettler in 1878.
Jacob Wetter, representing the St. John’s congregation, attended a meeting in 1879 of the 1st District of the Evangelical Synod, held in St. Peter’s Church in Buffalo, New York, and St. John’s received Synod membership forty years after the congregational vote to do so. In 1862, the yearly conference was held in Massillon.
Shortly after that event, the congregation began a thorough repair of the church building, replacing the roof, purchasing new windows, remodeling the church interior, and installing a heating system. About $7000 and collected and used for this purpose.
Rev. C. Christiansen of Loudenville came in 1891 and served for four years. This period showed excellent developments in the Sunday School and other branches of church work. While Rev. Christiansen was here, English language services were introduced: German services were held in the morning, and English in the evening. Rev. Christiansen resigned to accept a call to Louisville, Kentucky.
In June 1895 Rev. J. E. Digel came to our pulpit from Paducah, Kentucky, and served until his death on August 13, 1939. Kin the course of time the need for more room and better equipment was recognized, and in 1911 the decision was made to raze the old church and erect a more modern structure. Last services were held in the old church on July 11, 1911, and the new church was dedicated December 11, 1912. In 1921 the congregation decided to build what is the present parsonage, with dedication services in 1923. Miss Lillian Digel was extended a call to become the pastor’s assistant, and she served in that capacity from January 1, 1918, until April 11, 11943.
Upon Rev. Digel’s arrival, he insisted that the congregation discard old ways of raising money, with fairs, entertainments, etc., and inaugurated the direct faith-giving method. In this way, St. John’s has always been able to meet its financial obligations.
The period succeeding Pastor Digel was one of transition, with new ideas and customs being introduced. After such a long pastorate, some were more readily accepted than others.
Rev. Clarence Hammen was called in 1940 and served until September 1944. During this time a new Schantz organ was dedicated. Miss Esther Manus became the first Minister of Music. The Ladies Aid Society became the Women’s Guild, with several Circles; a church library was established; pew communion was introduced; and children of the Junior Department attended church worship once a month.
Rev. Carl Berges served from 1944 to 1947. At that time Miss Ila Burkey served as Youth Director and Minister of Music. In June 1945 a service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration was held, honoring the 44 years of consecrated ministry of Pastor and Mrs. J. E. Digel.
Dr. Otto R. Gerber started his ministry in January 1948 and served until 1969, when he was named Pastor Emeritus. Four assistants served with him: Rev. R. H. Staples, Rev. P. Amstutz, Rev. J. V. Ingram and Rev. Dennis Peterson.
A new church building was authorized in October 1953, with a complete rebuilding of the structure and a new addition. This resulted in an impressive new edifice with a three-story educational building and a remodeled parsonage connected to the building. Church and Church School attendance grew, and financial giving increased. The Youth Fellowship, Golden Age Fellowship and Churchman’s Fellowship ere activated. A number of young St. John’s men were inspired to enter the ministry. During this time the Evangelical and Reformed Church merged with the Congregational Christian Church to for the new United Church of Christ, which was constituted in 1957.
The church’s 125th Anniversary was celebrated in 1962 with special services from June through November. Five sons of the congregation who entered the ministry participated in the celebration.
In 1970, Rev. Robert W. Gamber came to St. John’s from York, Pennsylvania, serving until his death in 1977. Mr. Keith Houser served as Youth Director during 1971 and 1972. The Rev. Alan Yudt was installed as Assistant Minister in 1974 and served until 1978.
A new Rogers Electronic organ was dedicated in February 1975, with Robert Morrison as guest organist; the Gerber Memorial Library was dedicated. In order to encourage more lay participation, women and youth were encouraged to serve in the worship service as ushers; a kitchen cupboard was established to serve the needy. The first Church Picnic (formerly the Sunday School Picnic) was held in Kiwanis Park in August 1974.
Rev. Theodore Goodale came in 1978 from South Weymouth, Massachusetts, and served St. John’s until his sudden death in February 1979. His wife Nadine served as his assistant and later as the Director of Parish Life. In this period of time the Family of God hymnals were purchased by congregational members in memory of or in honor of loved ones. The Schulmerich Carillon was dedicated to the memory of Rev. Robert Gamber in 1979.
Rev. Robert A. Carlson was installed as pastor on November 25, 1979, and with his coming, emphasis was placed on spiritual renewal. This renewal has been manifested in the worship services, through Bible Studies, Lenten prayer vigils, the prayer room, the Angelus Bell Choir and children’s sermonettes. Greater participation of adults has been evidenced in church activities such as Woman’s Guild, men’s prayer group, St. John’s seniors, and new member training classes.
St. John’s has extended its ministry into the community through its leaders and members. We are becoming “The church with a heart in the heart of Massillon.” With a church so richly blest in the past, truly the words of the Psalmist are applicable to use today, “Many, O Lord my God are the wonderful works which Thou hast done” (Psalm 105:5).
The Talking Stones
Our first church, instead of a corner stone, had a Key Stone in the center of the arch over the front door. This Key Stone inscribed with the year 1839 is now laid in the wall of the Fellowship Hall above the door. The Corner Stone of the second church is also laid in the south wall of the Fellowship Hall. The inscription is in German and the date is 1886. The Corner Stone is still intact where it was placed in the Northwest corner of the foundation. It bears the wording, “Evangelical Church, 1912.” The Corder Stone of the present church is paced in the Northwest Corner and it is inscribed, “United Church of Christ, 1957.”
The Bell of St. John’s
The bell was cast in 1869 by the J. F. Stucksted & Brothers of St. Louis, Missouri, and was installed in the church tower the latter part of the year. It is cast of bronze, termed Bell-Metal, which is an alloy of about 78% copper, 20% tin and 2% zinc, and chilled at 932 degrees F.
The bell is 45” in diameter at the lip, 24 1/4” at the crown, and 34” high. The overall height including the iron frame is 57”, an the bell ripe wheel is 48” in diameter. The forged iron clapper is 49” long. Two steel buffer springs inside the bell arrest the rebound of the clapper. A hammer is installed outside on the frame so that it can tap the bell when used for tolling.
Cast on the side of the bell are these words:
Massillon, Ohio Dem 23 Mai 1869 (May 23, 1869)
On the opposite side:
Gott Mit Uns (God with us)
Concordia
“Concordia,” according to Mr. Stuckstede, was the name given to all bells of Lutheran persuasion. The bell weighs approximately 2100 lbs. and is about the same size as the Liberty Bell but of different dimensions and composition of metals.
[Historical information compiled by Robert Steffee and Mary Perry, Church Historians 1987]
Our story continues…
The year 1837 is accepted as the birthday of our congregation. In the latter part of that year, Rev. J. G. Buettner, DD, from East Prussia, took charge of the thirty-family congregation, and was the first German pastor to reside in Massillon. Services were held in the third story of a building located at the southeast corner of Main and Erie Streets. For a short time, the basement of the Baptist Church was used. On February 6, 1838, a lot on the southeast corner of Oak and 3rd Streets was purchased from the Massillon Rolling Mill Company, upon which a small stone church 40 feet by 50 feet by 8 feet high, with ten windows was erected in 1839, at a cost of $1000. The first Constitution dates from 1839, the same year in which the congregation was incorporated by an act of the Ohio legislature.
In the summer of 1840, Dr. Buettner resigned and returned to Germany. For the next 18 months, Rev. Peter Herbruck cared for the orphaned charge, preaching here every two weeks. During this time, many families were added to the congregation. Rev. J. Kaemmerer, from Pittsburgh, served from 1842 through 1843, and Rev. A. Biedermann of Uniontown, Ohio preached every two weeks for three years until he was no longer permitted to serve, as he was not a member of the Eastern Ohio Synod.
In October 1847, Rev. J. M. Steiner of Canal Dover was called to St. John’s and stayed with the congregation for six years. IN 1853 he was succeeded by Rev. G. Abele, who also came from Canal Dover. At this time a parsonage was built at a cost of $1850, and a schoolroom for $350.
Rev. Weissgerber was elected to succeed Rev. Abele, and during his pastorate seventeen families separated from St. John’s, over a dispute regarding the conduct of the church’s parochial school, and founded the congregation of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Massillon. Rev. Dr. H. Kortheuer of Terre Haute, Indiana received and accepted a congregational call in 1864, and served until 1878. It became evident that the old church building was too small, and the congregation decided to build a new one. The original church was later used as a carpenter and a copper shop.
On August 23, 1865, the site upon which our present building stands was purchased for the sum of $1600. The following year, work on the second church began. It took almost two years to finish the edifice, at a cost of $26,000. Owing to some miscalculations and neglect, the building was not as architecturally sound as it should have been, with a too-flat roof, and bulging wall. In 1870, important and costly repairs were required to keep the roof from caving in.
A pipe organ was purchased from M. Pampletz in Baltimore, Maryland, and a bell from J. G. Stuckstede & Brothers of St. Louis. A new parsonage was erected at a cost of $2400, and a schoolhouse for Sunday School classes and choir practices was added to the church at a cost of $1400.
After 13 years of faithful labor, Rev. Kortheurer resigned, and on Easter Sunday 1878, Rev. O. W. Schettler of Cleveland was unanimously elected as pastor. Rev. B. Broesel assisted Rev. Schettler in 1878.
Jacob Wetter, representing the St. John’s congregation, attended a meeting in 1879 of the 1st District of the Evangelical Synod, held in St. Peter’s Church in Buffalo, New York, and St. John’s received Synod membership forty years after the congregational vote to do so. In 1862, the yearly conference was held in Massillon.
Shortly after that event, the congregation began a thorough repair of the church building, replacing the roof, purchasing new windows, remodeling the church interior, and installing a heating system. About $7000 and collected and used for this purpose.
Rev. C. Christiansen of Loudenville came in 1891 and served for four years. This period showed excellent developments in the Sunday School and other branches of church work. While Rev. Christiansen was here, English language services were introduced: German services were held in the morning, and English in the evening. Rev. Christiansen resigned to accept a call to Louisville, Kentucky.
In June 1895 Rev. J. E. Digel came to our pulpit from Paducah, Kentucky, and served until his death on August 13, 1939. Kin the course of time the need for more room and better equipment was recognized, and in 1911 the decision was made to raze the old church and erect a more modern structure. Last services were held in the old church on July 11, 1911, and the new church was dedicated December 11, 1912. In 1921 the congregation decided to build what is the present parsonage, with dedication services in 1923. Miss Lillian Digel was extended a call to become the pastor’s assistant, and she served in that capacity from January 1, 1918, until April 11, 11943.
Upon Rev. Digel’s arrival, he insisted that the congregation discard old ways of raising money, with fairs, entertainments, etc., and inaugurated the direct faith-giving method. In this way, St. John’s has always been able to meet its financial obligations.
The period succeeding Pastor Digel was one of transition, with new ideas and customs being introduced. After such a long pastorate, some were more readily accepted than others.
Rev. Clarence Hammen was called in 1940 and served until September 1944. During this time a new Schantz organ was dedicated. Miss Esther Manus became the first Minister of Music. The Ladies Aid Society became the Women’s Guild, with several Circles; a church library was established; pew communion was introduced; and children of the Junior Department attended church worship once a month.
Rev. Carl Berges served from 1944 to 1947. At that time Miss Ila Burkey served as Youth Director and Minister of Music. In June 1945 a service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration was held, honoring the 44 years of consecrated ministry of Pastor and Mrs. J. E. Digel.
Dr. Otto R. Gerber started his ministry in January 1948 and served until 1969, when he was named Pastor Emeritus. Four assistants served with him: Rev. R. H. Staples, Rev. P. Amstutz, Rev. J. V. Ingram and Rev. Dennis Peterson.
A new church building was authorized in October 1953, with a complete rebuilding of the structure and a new addition. This resulted in an impressive new edifice with a three-story educational building and a remodeled parsonage connected to the building. Church and Church School attendance grew, and financial giving increased. The Youth Fellowship, Golden Age Fellowship and Churchman’s Fellowship ere activated. A number of young St. John’s men were inspired to enter the ministry. During this time the Evangelical and Reformed Church merged with the Congregational Christian Church to for the new United Church of Christ, which was constituted in 1957.
The church’s 125th Anniversary was celebrated in 1962 with special services from June through November. Five sons of the congregation who entered the ministry participated in the celebration.
In 1970, Rev. Robert W. Gamber came to St. John’s from York, Pennsylvania, serving until his death in 1977. Mr. Keith Houser served as Youth Director during 1971 and 1972. The Rev. Alan Yudt was installed as Assistant Minister in 1974 and served until 1978.
A new Rogers Electronic organ was dedicated in February 1975, with Robert Morrison as guest organist; the Gerber Memorial Library was dedicated. In order to encourage more lay participation, women and youth were encouraged to serve in the worship service as ushers; a kitchen cupboard was established to serve the needy. The first Church Picnic (formerly the Sunday School Picnic) was held in Kiwanis Park in August 1974.
Rev. Theodore Goodale came in 1978 from South Weymouth, Massachusetts, and served St. John’s until his sudden death in February 1979. His wife Nadine served as his assistant and later as the Director of Parish Life. In this period of time the Family of God hymnals were purchased by congregational members in memory of or in honor of loved ones. The Schulmerich Carillon was dedicated to the memory of Rev. Robert Gamber in 1979.
Rev. Robert A. Carlson was installed as pastor on November 25, 1979, and with his coming, emphasis was placed on spiritual renewal. This renewal has been manifested in the worship services, through Bible Studies, Lenten prayer vigils, the prayer room, the Angelus Bell Choir and children’s sermonettes. Greater participation of adults has been evidenced in church activities such as Woman’s Guild, men’s prayer group, St. John’s seniors, and new member training classes.
St. John’s has extended its ministry into the community through its leaders and members. We are becoming “The church with a heart in the heart of Massillon.” With a church so richly blest in the past, truly the words of the Psalmist are applicable to use today, “Many, O Lord my God are the wonderful works which Thou hast done” (Psalm 105:5).
The Talking Stones
Our first church, instead of a corner stone, had a Key Stone in the center of the arch over the front door. This Key Stone inscribed with the year 1839 is now laid in the wall of the Fellowship Hall above the door. The Corner Stone of the second church is also laid in the south wall of the Fellowship Hall. The inscription is in German and the date is 1886. The Corner Stone is still intact where it was placed in the Northwest corner of the foundation. It bears the wording, “Evangelical Church, 1912.” The Corder Stone of the present church is paced in the Northwest Corner and it is inscribed, “United Church of Christ, 1957.”
The Bell of St. John’s
The bell was cast in 1869 by the J. F. Stucksted & Brothers of St. Louis, Missouri, and was installed in the church tower the latter part of the year. It is cast of bronze, termed Bell-Metal, which is an alloy of about 78% copper, 20% tin and 2% zinc, and chilled at 932 degrees F.
The bell is 45” in diameter at the lip, 24 1/4” at the crown, and 34” high. The overall height including the iron frame is 57”, an the bell ripe wheel is 48” in diameter. The forged iron clapper is 49” long. Two steel buffer springs inside the bell arrest the rebound of the clapper. A hammer is installed outside on the frame so that it can tap the bell when used for tolling.
Cast on the side of the bell are these words:
Massillon, Ohio Dem 23 Mai 1869 (May 23, 1869)
On the opposite side:
Gott Mit Uns (God with us)
Concordia
“Concordia,” according to Mr. Stuckstede, was the name given to all bells of Lutheran persuasion. The bell weighs approximately 2100 lbs. and is about the same size as the Liberty Bell but of different dimensions and composition of metals.
[Historical information compiled by Robert Steffee and Mary Perry, Church Historians 1987]
Our story continues…