First Christian Church of Medina, Ohio

History, Faith, and the Mission of First Christian Church, Medina

It seems appropriate as the congregation dedicates this third new building in our long history, that we reflect on our heritage and summarize the process, events, and guidance which bring us to this day of celebration.

The Medina Church of Christ (Disciples) was organized on November 13, 1877. The congregation met in various places in the village until 1880 when the lot at 222 S. Broadway was purchased and our first church home constructed. Deemed the “finest church edifice in the county”, the new building was dedicated on November 18, 1880.

Growth called the congregation to replace the original building with a new structure that was dedicated on March 9, 1924. That building, along with an educational wing that was added in 1958, served our membership well throughout the remainder of the twentieth century.

In the late 1970’s, the members of Medina First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), as we have been known since 1957, began a renewed focus on the congregation’s future mission to the community. A Study and Plans Committee was formed to evaluate our programs, mission, and our physical structure. A survey conducted by the committee suggested that congregation members were nearly evenly divided on the question of renovating the 1924 building or constructing a new facility.

After much open discussion and years of preparation, the congregation voted to fund a renovation of the church building. A service of rededication on September 20, 1987, marked the completion of that project. However, the planning and discussion process the congregation experienced led to, for many, a new awakening to the purpose of our building and the mission of our congregation.

The congregation responded with many expressions of community outreach and service. Among these were the housing of Project:MUNCH to feed the hungry, the resettlement of Southeast Asian refugee families, the support of Operation:HOMES to assist the homeless, the hosting of a service of recognition for county veterans of World War II, and the coordination of a massive county-wide effort to aid the victims of the great mid-western floods of 1993.

During this period the congregation also began to seriously consider its long-term future. The explosive population growth in the Medina area prompted concerns about the future availability and affordability of new land the congregation might desire. In response, the Official Board created a Property Search Committee in 1995 to seek out and recommend the acquisition of land for a new church location.

In October of 1996, the Property Search Committee recommended the congregation purchase nearly 18 acres on the corner of Routes 3 and 162. While land a half-mile north was selling for $80,000 per acre, the recommended property was offered at a total of $165,000, or just over $9,200 per acre. In its report, the committee wrote the following: “Circumstances, or perhaps a Greater Hand, have brought together both the means and opportunity to purchase. A significant donation from the estate of Mary Shaver has given us the financial ability to take action. Additionally, an affordable and very suitable parcel of land has become available at precisely the moment the committee sought such an opportunity.”

With a nod to practicality and a strong sense of the leading of the Holy Spirit, the congregation approved the purchase on October 27, 1996.

Since that historic decision, events have occurred which have strengthened the belief of many members that the Hand of Providence has indeed led us to our new church home. Consider these vital events along the journey which has brought us to this day:

• The welcoming of a new pastor who strongly believes a major part of her call was to help the congregation construct a new church.
• The embracing by the congregation of a Faithful Planning Process that crystallized our focus for future effort and mission.
• The infusion of vibrant energy from new families and individuals joining our congregation when we needed them most.
• The enthusiastic acceptance by long-time members of new ideas and new leadership.
• The availability of Marion Zaugg, an architect with a long family history of church design, and a solid background in designing environmentally harmonious structures. Marion was not initially available and only became so when “circumstances” delayed the church’s readiness to hire an architect.
• The purchase of our former building by the Medina County Performing Arts Foundation. MCPAF had secured a state grant and had to spend those funds within the exact time that our building became available. The willingness of MCPAF to share the building for over two years was also a blessing.
• The input offered by the entire congregation that allowed the architect and the Design Committee to plan a structure that would be usable, efficient, affordable, and spiritual.
• The amazing response of the people of First Christian to the Building Fund Campaign. Told we could perhaps raise $225,000 but setting a goal of $400,000, the total actually pledged exceeded $520,000, most of which has been collected.
• The entry of Stevens Construction Company into the bidding process. Doug Stevens and his company guaranteed the building we wanted at the price we needed. With the great assistance of Chuck Shuck, the beautiful results around us show the integrity of Doug Stevens’ commitment.
• The invaluable presence of Dick Fisher. On the morning Stevens Construction began to look for a site foreman, Dick walked in the door looking for something to do. Praise the Lord!
• The fantastic welcoming of our congregation by the members of the United Church of Christ Congregational.
• And finally, the work of the many sub-contractors who consistently took special care, who did more than just what was required, and who took pride in their part of constructing a new church home for our congregation.

Truly we have been blessed in this endeavor.

As we embrace our new church home in this our 126^th year of existence, we acknowledge the debt we owe to those whose past efforts have given us the deep roots of our heritage. We acknowledge also the leading and witness of God’s presence which has nurtured our growing faith. And we pray that as we dedicate this holy space, we might rededicate ourselves to the mission of branching into new ministries of service to Christ’s Kingdom.

Roger Smalley, Church Historian

Our house of God, our sacred space, is simply the result of the people of First Christian having made a journey of discovery of who their awesome God as divined them to be, and what His purpose for them is now that they have arrived.

Last modified: 10/10/06

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