| E. B. Anderson, treasurer; H. M. Hollinger; D. B. Clements; J. L. Overholt. The contractor for the carpenter work was Mr. Gordon, and the contractor for the masonry was Mr. Stambaugh. Rev. W. F. Wykoff was the pastor, and Salem Kyle the Sunday School Superintendent. On the day of dedication, some prominent people took part in the program. On Sunday, December 21, 1902, at the morning service which was a Sunday School Rally, Rev. J. W. B1~hford, President of Ohio Wesleyan University, led in prayer. The sermon was by Rev. Charles W. Smith, Editor of the Pittsburgh Christian Advocate. At the afternoon service talks were given by Rev. E. E. Whittaker, who had organized the church, Hon. Charles F. Dick, T . M. Atterholt, W. A. Upham, J. W. Kelley, and H. J. Shreffler. At the Sunday evening service the prayer was led by Rev. J. W. Robbins and the sermon was by Rev. J. W. Bashford. History of Woodland Church (English) - 2 Through the years the church membership increased and the Sunday School continued to grow. Additional Sunday School rooms were added in the lower part of the church. A kitchen was built. THE CONTINUING HISTORY OF WOODLAND CHURCH Changes in living and transportation have influenced Woodland Church in recent years. Most of the members were within walking distance in the early days. But in recent years many members have moved to the suburbs, and now nearly all members drive to church. As there is no parking space available, all cars have to park on nearby streets. Due to this and several other conditions, the congregation discussed the advisability of relocating. On Sunday, June 8, 1958, the congregation met and decided that Woodland Church should relocate. A committee was appointed to find a suitable site. This committee reported at a meeting held Sunday, September 7, 1958. They recommended the site on North Hawkins Avenue, and the congregation voted to purchase the land. In order to raise $80,000, a Building Fund Canvass was made in the spring of 1959, ending March 17. The canvass was very successful. On February 28, 1960, services were begun in Litchfield Junior High School which is near the new building site. Rev. C. Clare Davis conducted a service there at 9:15 each Sunday morning. A Sunday School was also organized, with Mr. William Fesler in charge. He has been assisted by several others from Woodland Church. The services begun in Litchfield Junior High School have been continued by Rev. Harold Milford. The Litchfield service is at 9:15, and the Woodland service at 10:45. In June, 1962, Mr. John VonGunten of Cleveland was chosen as the architect to design the new church. After many meetings and much study and discussion, the Building Committee approved Mr. VonGunten's plans. On Sunday, September 23, 1962, Mr. VonGunten presented his plans at a congregational meeting after church. He used slides to show the various new church designs and answered questions. The congregation was then asked to vote. A motion to accept the plans was made by Mr. James Reilly. It was seconded by Mr. Harold Custer. The congregation then voted unanimously to accept the plans. On Sunday, October 14, 1962, Woodland Church began a three-day pledge campaign toward construction of a new church. The campaign was directed by Rev. William J. Miller, of the Department of Finance and Field Service of the Methodist National Board of Missions. About 100 canvassers visited the homes of 649 Methodist members. The amount pledged was $132,000, to be paid over a period of three years. On Sunday, January 13, 1963, a congregational meeting was held after the church service. Mr. David Stockburger, chairman of the Building Committee, presented the committee's recommendation as to the part of the master plan that could be constructed. The plan was shown on a screen, and questions were answered by Mr. Stockburger and by the architect, Mr. VonGunten. The partial plan called for the construction of a fellowship hall to be used temporarily as a sanctuary, a kitchen, a two-story (split-level) Sunday School wing, the narthex, and offices. The congregation voted unanimously to accept the committee's recommendation. Continuing History of Woodland Church - 2 During the month of June, 1963, the Building Committee received bids from various construction companies. After careful consideration, the Ernest Alessio Company of Akron was chosen to build the new church. On Sunday morning, July 14, 1963, many members gathered at the building site for the ground-breaking ceremony. As it was a rainy day, almost everyone carried an umbrella. Rev. Milford, who had returned from his vacation for this important ceremony, was in charge of the service. "For the beauty of the Earth" was the first hymn sung. Psalm 24 was read responsively. Prayers were offered by Rev. Milford and by the congregation. Rev. Kenneth Wait, Chaplain of Akron University, who had been our minister during Rev.1 Milford's vacation, was asked to preach the sermon. He gave a very impressive message in which he emphasized the spiritual responsibility of the church. He said that although a modern church may have many conveniences, beautiful interiors, wonderful music, places for recreation and social occasions, the most important part of the church is the altar. Several people were chosen to lift a spadeful of earth. One among these was Mr. Ernest Waltz, who had attended the first two Woodland Churches, and now he saw the beginning of the t1hird church building. The service ended with the singing of "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord," and the pronouncement of the benediction. During the five remaining months of 1963, and most of 1964, Woodland members watched the construction of the new church. At times the progress seemed slow. Sometimes weather interfered, occasionally materials were slow arriving, and then there were strikes. However, on June 28, 196~, members gathered at the new church to see the placing of the corner stone. After an impressive ceremony, a metal box containing interesting articles was placed in the new corner stone. Perhaps at some future time, many years hence, the church members may be interested in removing the box and examining the contents. During the previous week, a metal box had been removed from the corner stone of the old church at the corner of Crosby and Balch Streets. The articles which had been removed were placed on display. Although somewhat deteriorated, they were interesting. The following articles were found: Bible, hymn book, Discipline, list of members, a brief church history, a Cleveland newspaper, an old copy of the Christian Advocate. After the corner stone ceremony, members spent some time viewing the interior of the new church. It was encouraging to see that so much progress had been made. |
| THE WOMEN'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE For many years the Methodist Church had three organizations for women: The ~ Home Missionary Society, the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, and the Ladies' Aid Society. These three groups existed in Woodland Church until 1940, when one group was formed to take the place of the three. The new organization is called the Woman's Society of Christian Service. There are four Circles: Ella Burnett; Margaret Crawford; Lily Neal; and King~5 Daughters. The circles meet each month except in summer, at the homes of various members. The General Meetings are held monthly except in July and August. The General Meetings are held at the church, and all members of the Woman's Society are invited to attend. The Woman's Society always makes a generous contribution to missions. It also provides financial support for certain local church activities. The Woman's Society is paying for the equipment in the kitchen of our new church. The following have served as president: Mrs. H. H. Hollinger, Mrs. R. K. Long, Mrs. Ann Romig, Mrs. Kathryn Grissom, Mrs. J. L. Crankshaw, Mrs. Robert Galbreath, Mrs. James Shipman, Mrs. Margaret Crawford, Mrs. E. S. Renner, Mrs. John Lowe, Mrs. 0. C. Hatton, Mrs. Orrin Blowers, Mrs. 0. L. Kaylor, Mrs. E. A. Coovert, Mrs. |
| A. C. Frashuer, Mrs. Ray Saffles, Mrs. Robert Fehrman. |
| METHODIST MEN'S ORGANIZATION For1 many years the men of Woodland Church have maintained an organization. The present group (1963) is known as Methodist Men. As the men meet together they become better acquainted, and they find opportunities to be useful in church activities. They frequently have dinner meetings and listen to speakers on a variety of subjects. The Methodist Men are planning to furnish the chapel in the new church. THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S ORGANIZATION Woodland Church has always had an organization for young people. In the early days it was called the Epworth League. In recent years the group is known as the Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF). The purpose has been to provide religious training and proper social activities for young people. The church has sponsored athletics, and as the many trophies on exhibition show, our teams have won many times. Several young people from our church are sent to Lakeside to the summer conference where they receive instruction and training to aid in the youth work. We are proud of the young people who have entered Christian service. The following have entered the ministry: William Caskey, Jack Moody, James Cox, Murray Figg, Dale Ganyard. Another young man, Philip Pagano, will soon be entering a theological school (1964) in preparation for the ministry. These have become ministers of music: John Stein, David Kemppel, Jay Phelps, Nancy Lance. There are two who have served in the Home Missionary Department: Mary Paulo and Nancy Grissom. MUSIC The choirs of Woodland Church have always maintained high standards in music. Through the efforts of capable choir directors, our choirs have had an excellent reputation. One of the early leaders who directed the choir for many years was Mrs. D. S. Bowman. Under her direction, fine standards were established, and many outstanding soloists received their early training in the Woodland Choir. Miss Helen Jepson, who sang in our choir, became a Metropolitan Star. Several members of the Stein family, noted for their musical ability, began their musical careers under Mrs. Bowman. Other leaders were: Mr. Fesiton, Mrs. Vance, Mr. Carl, Mr. Jay Pheips, Mrs. Loraine Flanick, Miss Nancy Lance, Mrs. Flint Cande, Mr. Donald Black. In 1903, with the assistance of Mr. Andrew Carnegie, the first pipe organ was secured. It was used until 1947 when a new organ was needed. It was built and installed by the Tschantz Organ Company of Orrville, Ohio. The Junior Choir was organized in 1946, and was directed for fifteen years by Mrs. M. A. Barnes. During that time the children usually sang once each month for the church service. Their singing added greatly to the church service, and the training they received prepared them to enter the teen-age choir. The chimes were presented to the church by Mrs. Carrie Patterson in memory of her husband, Robert Patterson. Mrs. Gertrude Clark was librarian for many years. INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT WOODLAND METHODIST CHURCH First building at corner of Woodland Avenue and Balch Street dedicated on April 21, 1895. Second building at corner of Balch and Crosby Streets dedicated on December 21, 1902. New building site for a third church building at North Hawkins Avenue and Thurmont Road purchased in 1959. Ground-breaking ceremony July 14, 1963. YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENTERED CHRISTIAN SERVICE: |
| Ministers: Murray Figg, Dale Ganyard, William Caskey, Jack Moody, James Cox. |
| Ministers of Music: John Stein, Jay Phelps, David Kemppel, Nancy Lance. |
| Home Missionary Department: Mary Paulo, Nancy Grissom. PLANNING GROUPS FOR THE NEW WOODLAND CHURCH AT h44 NORTH HAWKINS AVENUE STUDY COMMITTEE BUILDING COMMITTEE J. L. Crankshaw, Chairman David Stockburger, Chairman John Ambrose Carl Jacobson W. M. Koffroth Allen Heston George Arnold Harold Frease Harold Custer Robert McManis Samuel Paul James Reilly Robert Vandall Sr. Forrest Woodall Mrs. E. A. Coovert Charles Thompson Mrs. Carl Bohn Mrs. Ray Saffles Mrs. Raleigh Armstrong Mrs. W. C. Williams Mr. E. W. Swarts, appointed to replace Charles Thompson NEW CHURCH CRUSADE COMMITTEE William Miller, Director Harold T. Milford, Pastor |
| H. H. Hollinger, General Chairman Harold Frease, Canvass Chairman George Arnold John Clayton~ Joe Lane) Co-Chairmen Allen Heston E. W. Swartz 3 Advance & Spiritual Gifts Chairmen William Fesler, Publicity Chairman Mrs. J. L. Crankshaw Mrs. George Arnold 3 Preparation Chairmen |