Church History & Building History
Methodism began in England with John Wesley, a priest in the Church of England. He and his brother Charles traveled to America in 1735 to spread the gospel.
In 1766 Irish immigrant Philip Embury arrived among the first “Methodists” and preached a sermon to four people in the basement of his New York home. His message became known as the first Methodist sermon preached in America. The first Methodist preaching house in this country was Wesley Chapel, built 1778 in New York by Embury and members of his society. By 1784, when the Methodist Episcopal Church was formally organized at Baltimore, Maryland, there were already 15,000 “Methodists” and 84 preachers scattered throughout the colonies.
Methodism grew along with the United States following settlers throughout the country. The Black Swamp area of northwest Ohio was the last part of the state to be settled; thus, it was the last to see the development of the Methodist Church.
Paulding County was formally organized in 1839. The next year it was included in the Northern Ohio Methodist Conference. In 1849 the Methodists at Junction organized and started regular preaching. In 1851 the Northern Ohio Conference apportioned $90 for the Paulding Mission. Joseph Shaw was appointed preacher and organized a society in Paulding, first with the Junction charge then in 1859 with Antwerp. In 1870, again with Junction. A year later it was called Junction/Paulding circuit. Some services were held in the school, others in the old courthouse.
In 1872 the Methodists were the first to construct a house of worship in Paulding. It was a wood frame building on land owned by the school board, at the present site of Paulding High School. H.H. Harper was the pastor. When the school board decided to build a new building on North Water Street, it was necessary for the Methodists to move. They paid $350 for lot 93 on North Williams Street which is our current location. The wood church was moved there in 1883.
In 1887 the church ceased to be part of a circuit and was made a “station”. William Philpot was the full-time pastor. The congregation grew in number and enthusiasm and decided to build a larger building. Ground was broken for the new brick building in February 1898, S.L. Roberts was pastor.
In 1766 Irish immigrant Philip Embury arrived among the first “Methodists” and preached a sermon to four people in the basement of his New York home. His message became known as the first Methodist sermon preached in America. The first Methodist preaching house in this country was Wesley Chapel, built 1778 in New York by Embury and members of his society. By 1784, when the Methodist Episcopal Church was formally organized at Baltimore, Maryland, there were already 15,000 “Methodists” and 84 preachers scattered throughout the colonies.
Methodism grew along with the United States following settlers throughout the country. The Black Swamp area of northwest Ohio was the last part of the state to be settled; thus, it was the last to see the development of the Methodist Church.
Paulding County was formally organized in 1839. The next year it was included in the Northern Ohio Methodist Conference. In 1849 the Methodists at Junction organized and started regular preaching. In 1851 the Northern Ohio Conference apportioned $90 for the Paulding Mission. Joseph Shaw was appointed preacher and organized a society in Paulding, first with the Junction charge then in 1859 with Antwerp. In 1870, again with Junction. A year later it was called Junction/Paulding circuit. Some services were held in the school, others in the old courthouse.
In 1872 the Methodists were the first to construct a house of worship in Paulding. It was a wood frame building on land owned by the school board, at the present site of Paulding High School. H.H. Harper was the pastor. When the school board decided to build a new building on North Water Street, it was necessary for the Methodists to move. They paid $350 for lot 93 on North Williams Street which is our current location. The wood church was moved there in 1883.
In 1887 the church ceased to be part of a circuit and was made a “station”. William Philpot was the full-time pastor. The congregation grew in number and enthusiasm and decided to build a larger building. Ground was broken for the new brick building in February 1898, S.L. Roberts was pastor.
The wood frame building was moved one block North and one block West on Cherry Street. Services were held there during the construction of the new building on its present site. The average Sunday School attendance at that time was 81.
The cornerstone of the new brick building was laid on June 24, 1898. On February 12, 1899, there was a grand celebration and dedication with dignitaries from around the state and 850 people attending.
The cornerstone of the new brick building was laid on June 24, 1898. On February 12, 1899, there was a grand celebration and dedication with dignitaries from around the state and 850 people attending.
1906 post card image
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Paulding United Methodist Church Cornerstone - 1898
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The mission of the Paulding United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We should be about our Father's business... making disciples of Jesus Christ.
Paulding United Methodist Church
Church: 321 North Williams Avenue Paulding, Ohio 45879
Mailing: 308 North Main Street Paulding, Ohio 45879
419-399-3591
Paulding United Methodist Church
Church: 321 North Williams Avenue Paulding, Ohio 45879
Mailing: 308 North Main Street Paulding, Ohio 45879
419-399-3591