| Rev. Norman Flickinger 1931-1934 Dr. Charles Frederick Jones 1934-1942 Rev. Perry Schaffner 1942-1948 Rev. William Snowball 1948-1956 Rev. C. Clare Davis l956-l96O. Music was inspiring and beautifully rendered by a large festival choir, and every part of the service had an inspirational tone. One part especially meaningful was the Declaration by Rev. Milford, after his words of welcome: "In the name of God, and in the presence of this congregation, I now declare this church to be open for the worship of God and the service of men. May it be a house of prayer for all people. Upon you, as a congregation, there rests the solemn responsibility to see to it that all liability of a financial character resting upon this property be speedily lifted so that this church may be dedicated to God in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost," after which the congregation 3oined in an act of consecration to God and his church. The sermon of the morning was preached by Bishop Kearns to about 500 worshippers, and again at 4 p.m. the Fellowship room was filled for Vesper service, with Rev. Snowball giving the Meditation, and Rev. Milford words of appreciation. Continued History - 2 The whole day was beautiful9 with inspiring messages, fine fellowship, and a Christian spirit that hopefully foretold of Inspiration and Service for Woodland Church in its new home and in the surrounding11 community. Probably our first large social activity in our new church home was the dinner and Bazaar given by our Women's Society of Christian Service on November 15, 1964. It was well attended, attracting1 many people from the community, and the society realized a profit of over1 $1,000 in money, and much good will. With the on-coming of winter and bad weather, we early realized our parking lot would need improvement. One reason we had felt the need to re-locate was to have better parking facilities and now again we were troubled with parking problems. We had ample space but not a firm foundation. It was not until June of 1966 that we felt we were ready to attempt the expensive task. A Pled1ge Program for surfacing the drives and parking lot was presented, and pledges or contributions of $12,000 was asked. The amount was eventually received, and all have appreciated the improvement through the years. As a community service we have often extended the use of our pa1rking facilities to our neighbors, the National Guard, and the area has served for youth activities, also. Our first Christmas at New Woodland was a crowded service, with baptism of babies, and a large group joining our fellowship as new members. In January another large group joined Woodland, and at the time the custom was begun of a Social Coffee Hour following reception of new members on the third Sunday of the month, providing pleasant fellowship for all. March 7, 1965, in our church service, 40 Girl Scouts sponsored by Woodland were honored, and the following year we honored two Scout troops. In May they had a tree planting service on our church lawn in appreciation. Seeking to interest people in various phases of church life, on March 14 in the evening the Tadmore Shrine Chanters, 35 in number, gave a good-will concert of sacred and secular music. The following Sunday evening, the film "Martin Luther" was shown, but to a rather small group as it was a blizzardy evening. April 4 a special service was conducted by Dr. Mumma, District Superintendent, presenting a plaque honoring Rev. C.C. Davis and Rev. Milford for their efforts in bringing our new church to its present state. On our first Easter in the new church, 300 attended the 9 o'clock service, and 450 the 11 o'clock. The altar, filled with lilies, and the children's choir in new, bright red vestments, and a beautiful setting for an impressive service. Continued History - 3 On June 13 the first confirmation class of our new church was received into membership, 23 boys and girls. In October9 the Building Crusade, headed by Rev. Hoover, was conducted -- just a year from the time we had moved to our new location. In 1966 we recall activities of the Friendship Club, a group long active in promoting Christian fellowship in our midst. The W. G. Polings, co-presidents for the year, sponsored an auction to help pay bills for the new church. In March the Men's Methodist Fellowship had a pancake breakfast, very profitable, and the Women's Society had a bake sale in connection with it. On May 10, Mother's Day, after Rev. Milford's sermon on Mature Spiritual Faith, Mrs. H. H. Hollinger made a brief speech and presented him with a $1,000 gift from the church and $25 each from the W.S.C.S. and Men's Club, honoring him on his 50th birthday and to be used for his trip to the World Council Churchs in London. During Rev. Milford's six weeks' absence, Rev. Henthorne, retired minister and member of our church, presided at services, and we had several supply ministers. In October Naomi Snowball (Mrs. William) came back to Woodland and gave a very fine Thank Offering Address for our W.S.C.S. The following Sunday an "Evening Sing'9 was held1 promoting the learning of some of the new songs from the new hymnals. A social hour followed. A form of Woodland's service to the community that has become a fixture is the use of our building for Day Nurseries. The present non-denominational one has carried on for several years and has served as a bond between Woodland and many neighborhood families, and aside from its educational purpose it is a way of extending our good will. Since our community is largely made up of new homes, some multiple housing where people are often living in temporary situations, the need for ministerial contact has always been urgent. For this reason Rev. Lockhard was secured as our new minister of Visitation, and he served very successfully until February 1967 when he became ill and had to retire to the Elyria Methodist Home. Many new people found our fellowship through his ministrations. 1967 was the year when completion of Unification of the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren Churches was nearing, and there were many exchanges of pulpits between ministers of the two denominations. Continued History - 4 On May 21 an unusual morning service was held when all church officers, committees, and commissions were recognized and installed. Of the 150 involved9 7~ were people who had joined the church during the past 7 years. On June 4 Church School officers were installed9 and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Ambrose were given special honor and a gift for their 30 years of service with the youth. A memorable service was held on April 7, 1968, a memorial for Martin Luther King, though more of a prayer for all of us for deliverance from the troubled times we are in. The choir sang from the Oratorio “ord have mercy on us.“ The sermon was followed by baptism of children and the reception of new members. May 12 of that year, Mother's Day, found so large an attendance that extra chairs had to be placed in the aisles. After a lay talk on the ensuing Building Fund Campaign, a crusade to be headed by Rev. Bruce Wilson, Rev. Milford gave recognition to lon~-time members of the church. Several had memberships of over 4511 years, quite a few over 35, and many over 25. Mrs. Ethel Chalker, with 65 years of membership and faithful service, was given special recognition. I might add, sadly, that the number of long-time memberships has been greatly reduced in these past two or three years by the deaths of a large number of our elderly members. Following conference 1968, Rev. John Ameling became an Associate Pastor, with the special duty of church visitation. On October 13 of that year, Layman's Day, Judge Roulhae a black lawyer, gave a very fine and challenging talk. With conference 1969 came a change of leadership for Woodland, and at a church-filled service we said goodbye to Rev. Milford, who had worked with and for Woodland for nine years, and to Rev. Ameling who had served one year. Rev. Richard C. Swogger became our new pastor, and for the first time in many years we had a minister's wife in our midst. Rev. Milford's elderly mother had lived with her son in the parsonage. Summer attendance was small at services, and in September, after a sermon challenging members to become involved, Rev. Swogger got under way the compiling of a new Church Directory. Many volunteers attempted to contact in some way every member of Woodland Church, and to learn pertinent facts as to how the church could better serve them, as well as they serve their church and God. This activity promoted a spirit of fellowship, and by November 1, 1969, a new and complete Directory had been finished. Continued History - 5 About this time Woodland was saddened by hearing of the death of Rev. C.C. Davis, our former pastor. On October 5, World Wide Communion Day, Rev. Swogger introduced the old custom of Intinction, in administering the Sacrament to the congregation. He was assisted by lay members. The custom, old but worshipful, was strange in form to most. November 16 was Commitment Sunday. A luncheon was served to over 100 workers, who later took part in the day's Visitation. Each caller delivered the new church Directory, and then picked up the host's Pledge Card. Many new members were involved in this project. November 23 was our W.S.C.S. Thank Offering Sunday, and Mrs. Swogger brought us a very good message. The following Sunday was Loyalty Day and attendance was very good. Rev. Swogger linked our Pledge Sunday with Advent, the call to be good stewards. At Thanksgiving Eve Service, Woodland was host to our neighbors, First Baptist Church. It has become a custom for the two churches to host each other at this service, since both have been re-located in this area. In January 1970 Rev. and Mrs. Swogger vacationed and Mr. Whelpley served as Lay Leader. Rev. Letts from Berea Methodist Children's Home, and Rev. Myers of N.E. Ohio Conference Staff, were among the supply ministers. Easter services 1970 were well attended. All through Rev. Swogger's pastorate he has held two morning services, one at 8:30 and one at 11. The first service was informal, with group participation, and the second formal, following more traditional lines, with a dignity that many people associate with worship. Attendance was often small at both, and the choir, now under the direction of Linda McMillan MacDonald had lost many members, though it still gave a fine musical setting for our services. January 1971 Rev. and Mrs. Swogger again vacationed in Arizona, and when they returned, Rev. Swogger announced that as of Easter, April 6, he was resigning as pastor of Woodland and retiring from the Methodist ministry. The last weekend in February a lay witness worship service was held in our church under the leadership of Mr. Whelpley and Mrs. Inskeep, with lay people from other areas coming to assist. The theme was Love and Communication, qualities needed in Christian living. Continued History - 6 Following Easter and Rev. Swogger's departure, Rev. David Boldt, head of Akron Goodwill Industries, became our interim pastor and gave us leadership till conference time. Rev. Jon Freshwater has been assigned as our new pastor1 and a large number of people formed the congregation on his first Sunday. It would be well for us, and for our church1 a congregation now of 791. if we could recall the Declaration that was made at our Formal Opening service in October 1964 and to which we subscribed -- that it is our responsibility that it be ever a place of worship to God and service to man. |
| Winnifred C. Sargisson (Mrs. Z. E. Sargisson) August 1971 |