A Detailed History of First Baptist Church of Medina, 1833-1993

Part I.  Compiled by Miss Minnie Wells around 1950 (lightly edited for clarity)            Eden Hamilton                          Anson Hamilton

          Zenas Hamilton was the first man to settle in Medina Township. He came here in October 1814, when this part of the country was a wilderness inhabited by Indians, wolves and bears. Medina Village was laid out in the year 1818. Its population was 113 and it was named Mecca after the old Mohammedan city of Arabia.

          The first public religious service in the township was held in the home of Aenas Hamilton in 1817. Reverend Roger Searl, an Episcopal rector, preached and soon after the St. Paul’s parish was organized. Their first house of worship, made of logs in one day, was located at Bagdad, a few miles east of the village. In February 1819, the Congregationalists organized, followed by the Methodists that same year or possibly the next. In 1833 the Baptist Church was organized.

           The nearest post office was Cleveland, a small settlement of five or six frame buildings. It took two days to get the mail, an ox team being the means of travel.

           Intemperance was one of the evils of that time, and very early efforts were made to stamp it out. The first temperance society was organized July 4, 1832. Infidelity then was bold but honest. There were about fifty infidels in this vicinity organized for the “promotion of moral and scientific research.” In 1833 and again in 1834 they celebrated the birthday of Thomas Paine “heralding their freedom from religious opinion by firing cannons and parading the streets.

           It was in these times, on August 20, 1833, nineteen years after the coming of the first settler, that the First Baptist Church of Medina was organized in a school house located at Fenns Corner, 2 ½ miles north of the village. The charter members were 14 in number, named as follows:

            Theophilus Fenn                       Sarah Hamilton

            Mary Fenn                               Anna Hamilton

            James H. Holcomb                    Elizabeth Hamilton

            Lucy Holcomb                           Unis Graham

            Stephen Bonnel                        Adelaide Fitch

            Harriet Bonnel                          Maria Fitch

            A recognition service was held on the 8th of September, attended by delegates from the Baptist churches of Westfield and Granger. “Elders James Newton and Rufus Freeman addressed the church and Elder Hovey extended the right Hand of fellowship.”  The following February, Reverend Newton was called to preach quarter-time at a salary of fifty dollars.
 

            By the end of the first year the membership numbered 26. Reverend Newton was followed by five other ministers who gave only part-time service – Reverends Hovey, Straight, Mason, Mudeman and Corwin. In March 1839, the church began holding services in Medina Village, meeting in the court house, school house or various homes. In October of that year, Reverend Clark was hired for six months for full time service at a salary of $125.00.
 

            In May 1840, Reverend D.A. Randall became pastor, and the following year the first steps were taken to build a house of worship. The membership was 46. In June 1843, Reverend Solomon Dimmick was called and served one year, after which Reverend Randall returned and remained until the cornerstone of the building was laid in September 1845. This stone was laid by Theophilus Fenn in his 77th year. 

            Many difficulties were encountered in the erection of that house. The foundation stones were gathered from the fields and timber was hauled from the woods to a saw mill three miles distant. The larger timbers were hewed by Jesse Harrington. “There are so few of you Baptists, you had better not try to build,” “You never can do it,” and other remarks by like nature were often heard by those early Baptists who, nevertheless, persevered until the house was dedicated on August 12, 1847, in the second year of the nearly seven-year pastorage of Reverend A. M. Torbet, who succeeded Reverend Randall.
 

            For some years after the house was built, the pastor’s salary was raised by an annual rental of the pews. In 1848 the Second Baptist Church of Medina Township, numbering 15 and located at Hamilton’s Corners, united with the Medina church. In this year, or possibly a little later, the first Sunday School was organized.

          
            In 1853 Reverend M. Shank became pastor. He must have been a man of action. The story is told that on a Sunday morning when he was preaching in the country, the clouds began to gather for a rain storm. Adjoining the church lot was a field of mown hay which would be spoiled if rained upon. Mr. Shank left his pulpit, led the brethren into the field, got the hay into the farmer’s barn, then returned to the pulpit and finished his sermon.
 

            On another occasion when two small boys were disturbing the service, Reverend Shank came down from the pulpit, took the offenders in hand, led them to the back of the congregation and placed them in two closets for the remainder of the service. These closets were located on either side at the front of the church and were used for storing wood. Mr. Shank remained with the church for seven years.
 

            Pastors J.W.C. Covey, Smith Gooden, and J.A. Davis followed. Then came Reverend J.V.K. Seeley in another seven years’ pastorate, 1865-1872.  In this pastorate the Baptist church of Lafayette Township united with the Medina Church. Two very notable local events took place during these years, namely, the Medina fire in 1870 and the coming of the railroad in 1871, displacing the old stage coach.
 

            After Mr. Seeley, Reverend J.B. Sutton and Reverend M.C. Bickford each occupied the pulpit for one year. Then came Reverend G.W. Nead from October 1874 to November 1879. Our memory goes back to the latter part of this five-year pastorate and from then on we recall pastors and events with increasing clearness. We remember the old one-room church with the green cushioned pews; the chandeliers with kerosene lamps; the low box-like stoves, one on either side at the front of the church, and the two old-fashioned long settees, one in the vestibule and the other on the platform in the corner where the choir sat behind a little old reed organ.
 

            Even as a small girl we were greatly interested in the people who occupied the pews. They were all perfect in our eyes, we never dreamed that they had faults or could do a wrong. There was deacon Jesse Harrington and his wife, Lydia, deacons William Witter and William Cole. There have been descendants of Mr. and Mrs. Cole in the church continuously for 92 years.  The present ones are Jesse Warren, grandson; Charles Warren, great grandson; and John Warren, great, great grandson who recently made cradle roll in the Sunday School. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bailey were two other members of those early days who have had continuous descendants in the church for 76 years. The present ones are two grandchildren, Mrs. Edna Huffman and Mrs. Bertha Roberts, three great grandchildren, Frances Huffman Congrove, Hilda Roberts Frazier and Edward Roberts;  three great, great grandchildren in the Sunday School, Wayne, Lyle and Gary Roberts.
 

            Two of the most attractive members in our eyes in those early days were Mrs. Sarah Waters and Mrs. Mary Blackford, the latter a member of the congregation only, but a faithful attendant. Both were widows dressed in deep mourning, their bonnets draped with long black veils. Tall, dignified Dr. L.S. Murray and his short but equally dignified wife made a deep impression because of the devout attitude as worshipers.
 

            Miss Eliza Miller, who later became Mrs. Arber Tebbit, was another faithful member whose kindly spirit and ever-ready smile were in themselves a testimony to her faith. Then there was Steney Wormstick, another faithful attendant, who made a colorful picture standing in the end of a pew at the back of the church dressed in gaily colored clothes which she had brought with her from Ireland. She was the faithful maid of all work in the home of Samuel Crane, whose home was the house just north of the Masonic Temple.
 

            There is another member who should be mentioned here, although she does not date quite as far back, namely Mrs. Sarah Newton, who came with her family from Granger in 1884. In later years she was known and loved by all as “Grandma” Newton. She lived to be 94 years of age. For 62 years members of her family have been active in the church. At present there are three granddaughters, Miss Sadie Green, Mrs. Lauraette Sedgwick Duke and Mrs. Rosamond Green Standen; also her seven great grandchildren, Sara Beth Broughton and Newton Standen in the Church and Marilyn, Ronald and Verjean Duke and Ronald and Rita Standen in the Sunday School.
 

            The Reverends W.T. Galloway, M. Squibb, W.H. Thomas and D. Seckman followed Mr. Nead, covering the years from 1880-1886. Then the church was without a pastor for one year, during which time Professor S.H. Harriman, principal of the school , filled the pulpit most acceptably. Reverend W.E. Lyon began his pastorage in 1887 and continued for five years. In those years the meeting house was repaired and enlarged. Two rooms were added, a furnace installed and other improvements made, such as removing the old horse sheds. Reverend C.A. McManis followed in 1892-1895. A faithful, helpful ministry, but no outstanding events.
 

            Reverend B.F. Griffith came in 1896 and remained eleven years, the longest pastorate up to that time. This was the beginning of greater activity and development. A piano replaced the old reed organ. In October 1897 the Cleveland Baptist Association was entertained for the first time in 30 years. In preparation for this event, the house was extensively repaired inside and out, with some improvements added.
 

            The entertaining of the Association was no small task, but an enjoyable one. Two hundred delegates came by train and by horse and buggy. Most of them remained for the two days. Our Baptist homes were full to overflowing and some of the good friends in the other churches helped out. Our ladies served the meals in the old saloon located east of the American House, which was kindly loaned us by the Methodists, who were using it for some of their meetings while their new church was being built. Two or three hundred people were served at each of these meals. Those were the days when food was plenty and church hospitality free.
 

            The following item was given me concerning one of the Associational meetings in the early days. The Medina church was entertaining; one of the delegates, a young man, walked all of the way from Cleveland carrying his shoes and socks. He stopped at Rocky River just north of town, washed his feet, put on his shoes and socks and finished his journey. That man was the late John D. Rockefeller.
 

            Returning to the pastorate of Reverend Griffith: Before preparing for the ministry, Pastor Griffith had been a professor of music, a voice teacher, hence music was in the forefront in his work here. He maintained a studio in Cleveland and had pupils from a distance living in his home. These were a great help in the large choir which he organized and trained. The young peoples’work, both Senior and Junior, was greatly advanced. These groups assisted Pastor Griffith in the services which he held at the County Infirmary each month. The three ministers who followed Mr. Griffith were likewise appointed by the County Commissioners to preach at the Infirmary, after which the Medina County Ministerial Associated took over.
 

            Pastor Griffith was the one who had the vision for the new church building; the present house is the fulfillment. Its undertaking staggered the faith of most, for our active membership was not much over 50. Church suppers and such like ways of raising money were put away at the request of our pastor and we were encouraged to have faith in God and do our best. With such a self-sacrificing man of faith as leader we could but follow on. The corner stone was laid in November 1903 and part of the house was ready for occupancy in the winter of 1905. When Pastor Griffith left us in January 1907, the inside of the auditorium was finished, but a part of the fund used later in its completing and for the purchase of a parsonage were secured through his efforts before he left.
 

            Perhaps the following work begun in this pastorate should be mentioned: For several years previous to 1900, young black women and men came from the south to work in the homes of some of the families of the town. Pastor Griffith suggested to Miss Hattie Warren, who later became the wife of Reverend Ralph Fisher, that she gather these young people into a Sunday afternoon Bible class. She organized the class in January 1900, and in August of the same year left for Chicago to enter the Moody Bible Institute, leaving the work for the black people with the writer of this sketch who carried it on for 19 years, assisted in a week night school which convened for about a year and a half by the Misses Mabel Harrington, Carrie Root and Bell Tebbit.
 

            Mrs. S.F. Dimmock helped for about two years in the Sunday afternoon work by teaching the children. By the year 1919 there were enough black people in town to start a work of their own. This we advised the Bible class groups to do. They couldn’t see the wisdom of it at first, but finally consented, and the Second Baptist Church was organized.
 

            In February 1907, Reverend C.A. Lemon became pastor, remaining for two years, a brief pastorate but not without results. After he left we were without a minister for a few months. In this interim, Mr. T.B. Lanham, the county Y.M.C.A. Secretary, filled the place of pastor and preacher as far as his busy life would allow.
 

            At this time money came to the church from the Robert Hall estate, also from Mr. John D. Rockefeller through the influence of Mr. and Mrs. N.O. Fuller, making it possible to complete the building. The house was dedicated free of debt on October 2, 1910, in the early part of Reverend L.A. Wood’s pastorate, who came in May of that year, continuing through July 1913. There was a considerable gain in membership during Mr. Wood’s pastorage.

 

            At this time the Carnegie organ was secured, which was installed in the early part of the pastorage of Reverend S.F. Dimmock, who came in December 1913, remaining until June 1919. Five and a half years of good work were done by both pastor and wife. During his last two years, Mr. Dimmock also served as Mayor of the town. Reverend Mr. A. Irwin was pastor from January 1920 to January 1923. There was a membership increase of fifty-eight during the three years, and he was instrumental in bringing the church up to a much higher standard of missionary giving, including the full support of a missionary of our own. Reverend Emil Halverson was sent out to Brazil, South America, in the Spring of 1922, where he is still being maintained by this church. In this pastorate, in January 1920, a parsonage was purchased, made possible by the legacy from the Robert Hall estate.
 

            In September 1923, Reverend O.G. Nichols became pastor, remaining until March 1927. These were years of activity and marked spiritual growth. There were many accessions to the church and an increased interest and activity in all departments, especially among the young people. Another room was added, the basement remodeled and whole church redecorated. April 1927 began the pastorate of the Reverend C.E. Bacon, who was noted for his expository sermons and his interest in evangelism. He held meetings in the park each Saturday evening during the summer months. Seventy were added to the church during his six years' pastorate.
 

            The pastorate of Reverend G.W. Bates was the longest one in the history of the church up to the present time [ca.1950]. It began in October 1933 and extended through August 1945; nearly 12 years of faithful, efficient service, with 175 added to the church.
 

            In August 1934, the church celebrated its centennial anniversary, one year late because of being without a pastor in August 1933.
 

            The depression that followed the first world war was upon this country during the latter part of Mr. Bacon’s ministry and the early part of Mr. Bates’. Church finances suffered considerably during that time, but the balance of the years of the ministry of Pastor Bates were years of financial prosperity.
 

            On March 18, 1945, Mr. Bates celebrated his 50th year in the ministry. There were special speakers and a dinner served by the church for the family and visiting friends. On May 30, 1945, Pastor and Mrs. Bates celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. A reception was held for them at the church both afternoon and evening. A dinner was also served to them and their out-of-town guests. Many gifts and cards expressed the good will of the church and their many friends.
 

            The present pastor [ca.1950], Reverend James H. Comstock, began his ministry on January 13, 1946. That he comes fully equipped for the work has already been demonstrated in many ways. His excellent expository preaching is a blessing to all. A most successful Daily Vacation Bible School was recently conducted by Pastor and Mrs. Comstock, assisted by 19 helpers, with an enrollment of 164 boys and girls. With God’s blessing the future promises much.
 

            The membership at the present time [ca.1950] numbers 318. We would like to mention, if it were possible, all the faithful members who in their day and generation have helped to keep the gospel message going out from this pulpit. A number of ordained ministers have gone out from the church, namely, Reverends Elmer Fisher, George Phillips, Frank Eastwood, Emil Halverson and Robert Lemson. Down through the years there have been laymen who have been licensed to preach. Mr. Raymond Folk is the present one.
 

            This church has always stood for the old time gospel of salvation through faith in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Also for many years it has preached and taught the doctrine of the pre-millennial return of Christ to rule this earth as Lord and King; which doctrine so plainly taught in the Bible, had for so many years been neglected, but was again brought to light about the beginning of the nineteenth century and is now being proclaimed by many leading preachers and Bible teachers throughout the world. Whatever good may go out from the First Baptist Church of Medina in the future will be, as in the past, because of God’s unmerited favor and grace. To Him be the honor and glory.

This ends the history of First Baptist of Medina, Ohio, as recorded by Miss Minnie Wells around 1950. The following update was compiled by church members in 1993 (lightly edited for clarity).

Part II.  Church history update, 1950-1993

            The church constitution was written by Pastor Comstock. The church applied for membership in the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches (GARBC) at this time. On December 28, 1948, Helen Wittman, now Mrs. Reinhard Friebel, became our missionary to India with full support. Pastor Comstock resigned August 31, 1950.
 

            Rev. R. Kenneth Smelser held the longest ministry in the church, serving from January 28, 1951, to December 31, 1972. During his ministry, giving and attendance greatly increased. We became a member in the American Council of Christian Churches and also the International Council of Christian Churches. Pastor Smelser established a gospel tent at the county fair (1953) and the annual Missionary Conference and the Jail Ministry. Vacation Bible School and Church in the Park were greatly improved ministries and reached many lost souls. During 1957 the church took on the full support of Mr. Reinhard Friebel (International Missions, India). In 1962 an additional wing was added to the church building.
 

            August 20-24, 1958, we celebrated the church’s 125th anniversary. Guest speakers included George Bates, Jr., C.E. Bacon, N.P. Irwin, James Comstock, O.G. Nichols and Alex Irwin. The celebration concluded on Sunday with a picnic lunch held at the fairgrounds grandstand.
 

            In the early seventies, a few families left our church to start a church at Chippewa-on-the-Lake, approximately 6 miles away. The AWANA club ministry was begun in the fall of 1972 under the leadership of Tim Northey and Mareanne Beitler.  We began with the Cubbies and Sparks.
 

            Rev. Albert Johnson served as an interim Pastor until Rev. William Russell came in 1973. Upon Pastor Russell’s resignation in 1976, Rev. Earl Willetts was asked to be the interim Pastor. Rev. L. Max Deffenbaugh began his ministry with us in April 1977.
 

            Pastor Deffenbaugh sparked new enthusiasm in the church and improved the visitation program. A much talked about building program came into realization under his administration. In order to provide for the present attendance and anticipated growth, the members of the church adopted a resolution on March 1, 1978, to approve the construction of the new facility to be built on a twenty-acre site purchased a few months earlier. We initiated and are currently [in 1993] in a $600,000 bond program to finance the expected $900,000 cost of the new building. The ground breaking ceremony was held May 28, 1978, and construction began March 8, 1979. In the fall of 1978 we had an evangelistic campaign with Rev. Elden Weaver.
 

            The new church facilities were first used during the Missionary Conference November 1979. A formal dedication and Open House was held November 10th and 11th. Included in the building is a room to be used as a “Prophet’s Chamber” or guest room. The Halverson room, so named in honor of Emil Halverson, our first missionary, is used by visiting missionaries and guest speakers.
 

            In the spring of 1980, Reinhard Friebel retired from missionary service. The Friebels spent several months in Medina upon their return from India, and the church purchased a car (Rabbit) for them as a farewell gift when they left to take up residence in British Columbia, Canada.
 

            In May of 1980, the church held an ordination service for Paul Loney, as he had been called to a pastorate in Canada. Pastor Paul had served as our Youth Pastor from 1977-80. Our new Youth Pastor, Don Mills, served from July 1980-82. During 1980 the church participated in the Medina County Crusade with Rev. Ron Comfort, which was held at the fairgrounds. We also had Dr. James T. Jeremiah bring a prophetic series later that year.

            Betsy Berry and Lynn Winchip began a Shepherd’s ministry (a ministry to the mentally disabled) in 1973 that concluded in 1981. Lynn Winchip and Cindy Nilius began a ministry to learn sign language. In the fall we viewed Dr. James Dobson’s film series, “Focus on the Family.”
 

            The first annual AWANA Grand Prix was held in the spring of 1981 under the leadership of Roger and Virginia Churgovich. Roger constructed the beautiful Grand Prix track that is used each year for this event.
 

            Our Christian School ministry was begun in 1981 with Jerry Kramer heading the staff as the principal. That first year the school consisted of grades pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade. Each succeeding year, one grade level was added until the high school level was completed. In 1986 we graduated our first senior class of 20 students. The enrollment in the school grew from 100 in 1981 to over 380 in 1993.
 

            Larry Nilius came as our Minister of Youth and Music in 1982. He followed in the footsteps of Rich Focht (1964), Bud Couts (1967), John Rathbun (1973-76), Paul Loney (1977-80) and Don Mills (1980-82).
 

            The church marked its 150th anniversary in 1983. Commemorative plates were ordered and sold. We had an old-fashioned picnic, old-fashioned dress-up contests and antiques displayed in various classrooms.
 

            The downtown church property was sold in 1984, and part of the funds realized from the sale went toward the paving of the driveway and parking lot at the present church site.
 

            Ron Cole was added to the ministry staff upon his graduation from Faith Baptist Bible College in Iowa. Pastor Cole’s area of ministry was the Adult Ministries of the church.
 

            As the Christian school grew, there were additional needs to be met. In 1985 bleachers were built for the gym and the restrooms on the west side of the building were expanded to accommodate the growing enrollment.
 

            As a memorial to Charles Lons III, who went to be with the Lord in 1985, the driveway lighting and gate was added to the facilities in 1986. A maintenance building was constructed at the rear of the parking lot this year as well. During the year we had the Jim Cook Evangelistic Campaign; Dr. and Mrs. Wendell Kempton, president of Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE); and for 10 days in November the Life Action Ministries.
 

            In February of 1987, Pastor Deffenbaugh resigned. After a year of praying and searching, Dr. John Y. Clagett accepted our call in December 1987.
 

            Pastor Clagett’s ministry began in January 1988. He was instrumental in establishing the Deacon caring program known as “Samaritan Groups” to help us to be more unified and caring with one another.
 

            We witnessed the ordination council examination of Ron Cole in March of 1989. The following month we held the ordination service for Pastor Cole. Rev. Cole was called to become the Pastor of First Baptist Church in Rittman, Ohio.
 

            In May, Dr. Andrew “Bud” Wood began a part-time staff ministry position which included hospital visitation, nursing home visitation and leadership of our Young at Heart (Senior Citizens) group.
 

            In 1990 we saw the balcony in the church remodeled to make a permanent classroom for our growing school enrollment.
 

            Our 1991 Vacation Bible School program, under the leadership of Jane Miner, was known as “Marketplace A.D. 29."  The auditorium became the “Jewish Temple” and our field (outdoors) became the “Marketplace.” The children wore costumes similar to what the Jewish children would have worn and were grouped into families representing the 12 tribes of Israel. In succeeding years VBS continued to build on this theme.
 

            In October 1991, Pastor Clagett announced his resignation. Dr. “Bud” Wood served as Interim Pastor.
 

            The Pulpit Committee spent many months searching and eventually called Rev. William Cunningham, who began his ministry with us on June 21, 1992; he and his wife, Barb, came to us with three children, Nathan, Brianna and Seth. A year later, the Cunninghams had their fourth child, Benjamin.

            In the fall of 1992, a new grand piano was purchased in memory of Quinten Seeley and dedicated on November 15, 1992. Dr. Charles Clevenger from Cedarville College performed at the dedication service.

 

            Larry Nilius, Minister of Youth and Music, resigned in June 1993.
 

            The following is a list of known ordained ministers to go out from this church [as of 1993]:

            Rev. Elmer Fisher

            Rev. George Phillips

            Rev. Frank Eastwood

            Rev. Robert Lamson

            Rev. John Gayer

            Rev. Tim Northey

            Rev. John Rathbun (1976)

            Rev. Richard Young

            Rev. Paul Loney (1980)

            Rev. Ron Cole (1989)

Part III: 1993-Present

The Rev. William Cunningham served from 1992 until 2002. During this time, the auditorium was renovated with new chairs and carpeting. An active women's ministry made decorative banners for the auditorium, themed around the names of God. Shawn and Stephanie Spangler were hired for a full-time music position and spent several years building this ministry.

Following the Rev. Cunningham's resignation, Associate Pastor Tye Male served as Interim Pastor (2002-2003) and worship leader.    

In November 2003, the church called the Rev. Mark Milioni, who was at that time pastoring at The Chapel of Miami Valley in Franklin, Ohio. Pastor Mark gave his first sermon as First Baptist's new pastor in December 2003. He was soon joined by his family: wife, Barbara; daughters, Emily and Mariah; and sons, Brooks and Daniel.

The church staff (as of August 2008) includes Associate Pastor Mark Campo, Youth & Missions Pastor Shawn Koonce, Worship Pastor Nate Harmon, and Children's & Women's Ministry Director Nancy Gillentine.

In August 2008, First Baptist Church celebrated its 175th anniversary with a month of special events, including a service on Medina Square (August 17).