Our original building as it looked April 26, 1972, one day before         "The  Fire"  after 65 years  (and 13 days) of service to God.

A narrative account of our history follows below the photos.

    Our redecorated sanctuary, below,  dressed out for Christmas, shows the cross that survived the fire and now hangs in our Fellowship Hall with the following inscription:                                                 "The building burned --- the Church still stands."

     The photo below shows the mounting of the Dedication Plaque for our newly built sanctuary on June 22, 1975 A.D., after its completion. A devastating fire razed our original home on April  27th of 1972 A.D.

.                          

          The original cornerstone was laid in 1906.           Our 'resurrected' cross.   

THE HISTORY AND MINISTRY OF

SECOND CHRISTIAN CHURCH

A great deal of thanks must go to the Reverend Glen J. Stewart (then Senior Minister) whose research and compilation of the Church's history up until the 75th Anniversary in 1982 has been immeasurably valuable in putting this portion together. Much of this is directly copied .

     Under the leadership of the Reverend J. E. Lynn, Central Christian Church had dreamed and talked since the turn of the century about locating a mission church on the west side of Warren. This dream and those discussions began to become a reality in 1906 when the cornerstone was laid at the corner of West Market and Mulberry Streets.

     Still under the leadership of Rev. Lynn, meetings began during the month of December of that year. People living on the west side of Warren were extended a special invitation. Out of the people who responded to that call a committee was appointed consisting of: Mr. F. F. Rowland, Mr. Harry Oldacres, Mrs. William Griffith, Miss Mary Lewis and Mr. F. A. Kagy This committee was commissioned to meet with a similar committee from Central Christian Church to make plans and set up an organizational structure for a new congregation.

     While this work was being done, with several meetings and many hours of discussion, the name of C. O. Reynard was presented as a possible minister for the new congregation. He was contacted and made a visit to Warren. He then wrote to Rev. Lynn and informed him that he would "accept the call" and would arrive in Warren on April 14th 1907. The decision was then made to hold the dedication services on that date.

     (It is interesting to note that the Rev. Reynard began his term of service with a salary of $1000.00 per year, with an additional allowance of $100.00 for moving expenses. Another note: From those meetings Mrs. William Griffith was the person who suggested the name "Second Christian Church" for the new congregation.)

     The great day of dedication was April 14, 1907 A.D. The morning service was held at Central Christian Church, High St. in downtown Warren, immediately across the street from the gracious Trumbull County Courthouse building. A capacity crowd gathered for worship. The old and new congregations met at the foot of Quimby Hill (W. Mkt. / South and Highland Ave.) and walked to the corner of Market and Mulberry where the afternoon service was held. Nearly 700 souls crowded into the  sanctuary and several hundred were turned away for lack of space!

     (Note the youngest to make the 'walk' was Dorothy Allen who was five days old. She was carried up the hill by her parents Frank W. and Clara Belle {Wonders} Allen.)

     The charter membership was 216. A revival conducted by the Rev. J. E. Lynn continued until May 2nd. Forty members were added during that period raising the total number of people to 256, who joined together to form "Second Christian Church."

     Officers for the new church body were elected. They were: ELDERS: F. A. Kagy, F. F. Rowland, H. D. Oldacres, and C. O. Reynard. DEACONS: I. H. Price, Walter Wager,   C. E. Haskell, W. D. Hart, William Benedict, Fred Downs, E. A. Shoe Maker, J. M. Craig, Fred Harsh, Ward Jones, William Heintzelman and George Hunter. The first PRESIDENT was H. D. Oldacres. Seven TRUSTEES were elected: F. F. Rowland, William Benedict, H. D. Oldacres, L. H. Downs, Elmer Osborne, and Grant Downs.

     Late in 1907 Mrs. Lyons, from Central Christian Church, met with a group of women of the new congregation to form a missionary society. It was on December 11, 1908 that the Reverend Crayton Brooks of New Castle, Pa. met with this group and officially organized a Christian Women's Board of Missions, with Mrs. Reynard as president.

    The first mortgage burning took place in December, 1909!

     The first addition to the church building was made in 1911. Only four years after organizing.

     The Reverend Reynard read his resignation to the congregation in March of 1911. He had received a call from a congregation in Canada. 

     In April of that year the Reverend Frank Brown was called and assumed the duties of senior minister serving for 17 1/2 years until December of 1928.

     The pipe organ, given with the assistance of Andrew Carnegie was dedicated December 8, 1912.

     The Rev. R. C. Jarman served the congregation from 1928 to 1931.

     The Rev. W. L. Burner, of Detroit, Michigan, began his service in April of 1931. The following year the church body celebrated its 25th anniversary with a week of inspiration and fellowship. Among the speakers during this great week were: Dr. Gaines Cook, J. R. Ewers, Florence Alexander, and Kenneth Brown. A pageant, written by the Rev. Burner, climaxed the week of meetings and festivities.

The Second Twenty five Years

     In 1941, the military called about 200 of the young men into service of our country for W. W. II. Eight of this number were among those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They were: Conrad Hilbinge, Elmer Smith, Wilbur Cordell, Lawrence Millard, Woodson McFarland, Robert Harklerode, Rowland Casper and Thomas Hyden.

     In April of 1943 the Rev. Burner read his resignation.

    The Reverend Edwin Bobbitt, of Cambridge, Ohio, was contacted and accepted the call, beginning his service in August, 1943.

     An echo organ and chimes were presented to the congregation in 1944 by The Bethany Class in memory of Miss Etta Jones.

     It was in 1944 that the worshippers once more felt "growing pains" and began to think about building once again. Plans were formulated and efforts expended to raise money for this purpose. The Board of Church Extension, of Indianapolis, was the prime mover in the effort. Several thousand dollars were raised and pledged during this period. This was during the hard-fought years of World War II. 

     In was in December of 1944 that the women of the church were persuaded to recognize the need for a Women's Council. Miss Bertha Parks was the speaker at their first meeting.

     The 40th Anniversary was celebrated in April of 1947. Mr. F. F. Rowland and Mr. Harry Oldacres served as Elders at The Table as they had done on the first service ever held in 1907!

     In June of 1948 remodeling of the basement began. Much of the work was done by men of the congregation. In addition to this work, a Pastor's Study, a small social room, lounge, kitchen and heating system were finished and dedicated. In the same year the house at the rear of the church building was purchased to be used in connection with the Christian Education program.

     In the latter part of 1950, following the recommendation of the state organization, the name for women's work in the church was changed, once again, from "Women's Council" to "Christian Women's Fellowship" (CWF) and the format was expanded to include study, worship and service as well as missions.

     In April, 1951 the Rev. Bobbitt tendered his resignation to the congregation.

     The Reverend John B. Bridwell accepted his calling and began his service to the church in September of 1951. 

     (Bridwell thus became the 3rd consecutive pastor with the last initial "B". This held for 33 years.... 1931 through 1964: Burner 31/43 - Bobbitt 43/51 and Bridwell 51/64!   And don't forget Brown who served for an 17 additional years ....1911 to 1928! )

     The Reverend Howard Detrick was called as an Associate Minister in June of 1954. He was installed in September of that year.

     On April 5, 1954 the board, recognizing the growing needs of the congregation, appointed a fact-finding committee to make a thorough study of all church needs. This committee was composed of: Chairman, Harry Bock; Wayne Beagle, Clayton Carleton, Earl Williams, Glenn Wildman, Sr., Frank Allen, Mrs. Roy Hines, Mrs. C. S. Bettiker, Hallie King, and Mrs. Gordan Moore. This committee reported its findings to a special meeting of the Official Board on December 19, 1954. In January of 1955, the Chairman of the Board, James C. Saslgiver, gave a review of the facts gleaned through the committee.

     And, again, the month of April hosted an important milestone in the history of Second Christian church. It was in April that the congregation, in a special meeting, considered the factors presented and voted, by an overwhelming majority, to proceed as outlined. In June of 1955 pledging began and resulted in the sum of $145, 626.50 being pledged.

      It was also in June that the Rev. Ditrick resigned as Associate Minister to be followed soon after, by the Reverend Richard Spellman.

     On August 10, 1955 the congregation voted and authorized the Official Board to proceed with building plans. A committee was composed of: Earl Williams, Rex Arnold, Wayne Beagle, James Bock, Claire Ewing, Hallie King, and Raymond Langworthy. The fund raising committee was co-chaired by Harry Bock and Glenn Wildman, Sr.

     At the annual meeting of May 8, 1956, one of our own, Charles Russell was ordained into the ministry. The Rev. John Bridwell was in charge of the ordination, assisted by other ministers and elders of the church.

The third quarter-century

     April 1957; a half century of service to God through Christ Jesus. In observance of this milestone a committee was formed to make plans for the observance. It was comprised  of Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Wildman, Sr., Mr. & Mrs. Earl Williams, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Wyndham, Mr. & Mrs. Roy Hardman, Mr. & Mrs. William Rowland, James Salsgiver and the Rev. John Bridwell. 

     In May of 1957 final approval for the Education Building program was given and work was begun immediately. During this month the house at the rear of the church was moved to Tod Ave. SW onto a lot given to the congregation by Harry and Miss Tessie Bock. This house then became the parsonage for the associate Minister.

    Rev. Spellman resigned in February of 1958.

     It was, yet again, in April, on the 27th, 1958, that the new Education Building was dedicated.

     In June of 1958 the Reverend William Porter accepted the call to serve as Associate minister.

     In December 1959 the congregation moved forward to renovate the Sanctuary and to secure a new parsonage. Work commenced on the renovation in May of 1960. The new parsonage was completed on Arthur Dr. NW and was occupied at Easter of 1962.

     The Rev. William Porter delivered his farewell sermon on January 26, 1964.

     The Rev. John Bridwell also resigned; in September, of 1964.

     The Reverend J. B. Swain served as Interim Minister until the pulpit was filled by the Reverend Ervin L. "Tommy" Thompson who began in July of 1965.

     In February 1967 Rev. Robert Andrews left as Associate Minister.

     The Rev. "Tommy" Thompson resigned as of June 1, 1968.

     The Reverend Ray M. Wolford served as Interim Minister until the pulpit was filled by the Reverend Randall E. Griffith who began his duties as Senior Minister September 8, 1968.

     Early in 1969 the Social Action Committee of the World Outreach Department, as a result of a study into several areas of social concern, invited other churches (Catholic and Protestant) to join in the study of the needs of our community. The group expanded to include local labor unions, school officials, community service organizations and other children's services organizations. Out of this joint study a steering committee was formed and the "UNITED COMMUNITY DAY CARE ASSOCIATION, INC."  was founded.

     It established a children's day care center in our building and it was opened for enrollment in early November. It began services on November 17, 1969. The staff included its very capable director, Mrs. Knoxie Bell; and VISTA worker Miss Kay Luce. The purposes of the United Community Day Care Center were three fold: 1. - to furnish day care for children of low income families; 2. - to provide educational opportunity and cultural enrichment for children; and  3. - to aid human relations in our community while fostering the spirit of of ecumenism. 

     Miss Diane Knight was ordained into the Christian Ministry, May 17, 1970. The Rev. Randall Griffith officiated along with the elders of the church.

     On February 21, 1971 at a special session of the Official Board, Mrs. Helen Salsgiver was appointed Elder to fill the un-expired term of the late Maurice McKinney. She thus became the first female to hold that office in the 64-year history of Second Christian Church. 

     At that same meeting the Board recommended that Gerald Vesey be called for a new staff position of "Church Visitor."

     On January 17, 1972 the "Evergreens" held their first meeting. They were organized by 'Gerry' Vesey to promote fellowship and renew old acquaintances among the senior members of the church.

     Then the unthinkable happened!   On April 27, 1972 the church building was swept by a voracious fire. Two city police officers, on routine patrol, spotted flames shooting from the eaves of the structure and radioed the first alarm at 1:49 AM. Fifty-eight city firemen battled the raging flames nearly five hours before bring the fire "under control." Their diligent efforts resulted in the saving of our Education Building. The now lost sanctuary's cross was retrieved from the rubble and now hangs in our Fellowship Hall with the inscription: "The building burned - - - The Church still stands." This quote is attributed to the Rev. Randall Griffith as he was interviewed by the local media.

     Because of the destruction, the cornerstone that had been laid October 21, 1906 was opened 65 years, seven months later on May 21, 1972 and the contents revealed. There was found issues of the Warren and Cleveland daily papers, history and officers of the Central Christian Church and other items pertinent to that time,

     On February 25, 1973 the congregation again took action to conduct a fund raising campaign to build a new sanctuary. On March 7, 1973 the campaign officially opened and at its completion $103,525 was pledged for the building program!

     The Rev. Randall Griffith served until September of 1973.

     The Reverend Herman Patton served as an interim pastor from November 1973 until June 1974.

     On May 19, 1974 a ground-breaking ceremony took place for the new building. Three Charter Members participated: Mrs. Pearl Keifer, Mrs. Mable Kaetzel and Mr. William Wonders. Other participants included: Mr. James Salsgiver, Mr. Gordon Moore, Mr. Karl Morris, Miss Patty Fenstermaker, David Cunningham, Greg Morris and The Rev. Patton.

     On June 23, 1974 the Reverend J. Donald Adcock delivered his first sermon as he had accepted the call to serve as senior pastor.

     Recognizing the wide spectrum of the church, the annual Woman's Day and Layman's Sunday observances became "Laity Sunday" On January 26, 1975 our first Laity Sunday was observed with the Reverend Rolland Pfile, Executive Director of Homeland Ministries of the Christian Church (DOC) serving as guest speaker.

     The Christian Men's Fellowship was reorganized in October 1974. The average attendance was about thirty.

     Worship services moved into Fellowship Hall until April again entered the church calendar. On April 13, 1975, the first Sunday in the new sanctuary, over 400 people participated in the procession from Fellowship Hall and into the elegant new surroundings. Four members who had attended services on April 14, 1907 were again able to participate 68 years later. They were: Mrs. Pearl Keiffer, Mrs. Isabel Shafer, Mr. Chester Downs and Mr. William Wonders.

     Official dedication ceremonies were held June 22, 1975

     On June 17, 1979, Kay Luce, a Timothy of Second Christian Church, was ordained into the ministry. The Rev. J. Donald Adcock officiated with assistance from other ministers and elders.

     On April 30, 1980 Rev. Adcock resigned.

     The Reverend Clifford Thomas served as Interim Minister from May 7, 1980 until the arrival of the Reverend Dr. Glen J. Stewart who began service as senior pastor on November 9, 1980.

     Roger McKinney, the congregation's fourth Timothy, was ordained into the ministry in  ceremonies on September 13, 1981. The Rev. Dr. Glen J. Stewart officiated with assistance from other ministers and elders.

      On March 7, 1982 the Reverend Bruce Walthour was installed as Associate minister.

     In 1982, the Evergreens celebrated their Tenth Anniversary. Their attendance at the bi-monthly meetings had grown to an average of 190!  Gerry Vesey had certainly done his job well!

The Next 25 Years 

     1983

       This page, too, is under construction.   We hope to continue to inform of our proud past of serving The Lord since April 1907.