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Below is a history of the creation of High Street taken from a book created for the centennial celebration of the Church in 1949.

Dr. Ross Wilhide
Pastor in 1949
click the photo to see a larger image

Rev. Isaac Dillon
Rev. John Inskeep
Rev. John W. Weakley
Rev. Wm. H. Sutherland
Rev. M. Dustin
Rev. John F. Marley
Rev. Wm. I. Fee
Rev. Allen T. Thompson
Rev. Geo. W. Crum
Rev. A. B. Wambaugh
Rev. Geo. H. Dart
Rev. Thomas Collett
Rev. Lucien Clark
Rev. Wm. H. Hypes
Rev. S. B. Smith
Rev. F. G. Mitchell
Rev. T. J. Harris
Rev. John F. Marlev
Rev. R. H. Rust
Rev. John R. Shannon
Rev. A. H. Lucas
Rev. J. A. Story
Rev. E. P. Edmonds
Rev. W. L. Y. Davis
Rev. Walter D. Cole
Rev. E. P. Edmonds
Rev. E. S. Weaver
Rev. Geo. W. Osmun
Rev. E. H. Roberts
Rev T Wallis Grose 
Rev. Harry E. Bright 
Rev. J. Carl Plummer 
Rev. Wm. Bashford Richards
Rev. Ross Wilhide
John W. McMahan
Waldemar A. Haupt
Leonard W. Mann
Theodore W. Shoemaker
Fred M. Mark
C. Edwin Pellett
E. James Dickey
Donald Ramsey
Lynn Huffman
R. Stuart Rammes
E. Cary Simonton

1849 to 50
1850 to 51
1851 to 53
1853 to 54
1854 to 56
1856 to 58
1858 to 60
1860 to 62
1862 to 64
1864 to 67
1867 to 68
1868 to 71
1871 to 74
1874 to 75
1875 to 76
1876 to 79
1879 to 82
1882 to 85
1885 to 90
1890 to 91
1891 to 95
1895 to 1905
1905 to 08
1908 to 10
1910 to April 1915
April to Sept. 1915
1915 to 19
1919 to Jan. 1926
Feb. 1926 to 1929
1929 to 1933
1933 to 1939
1939 to 1946
1946 to 1948
1948 to 1952
1952 to 1957
1957 to 1964
1964 to 1969
1969 to 1975
1975 to 1980
1980 to 1986
1986 to 1998
1998 to 2001
2001 to 2002
2002 to 2006
2006 to present

THE ONE HUNDRED YEARS
1849 to 1949

SPRINGFIELD was settled in 1801 and the first preaching of which we have record was in 1803 in the Griffith Foos tavern, southwest corner of Spring and Main streets. Methodists were soon on the scene, with Rev. John Thompson, of the old Mad River Circuit, preaching here. A Methodist church was organized by a group, headed by Mrs. Walter Smallwood, of Virginia. For several years, Methodists, as well as other religious groups, met in Nathaniel Pinkerd’s log school house, northeast corner of Main and Fountain streets.

In 1811, the first building exclusively for religious purposes was built of hewed logs, on the west bank of Mill Run. It was financed by subscribers of all faiths, chief of whom were known as the “New Lights”, under the leadership of Griffith Foos.

The first Methodist Church was built in 1814, corner of Fountain and North. This was followed in 1833 by a larger brick church located one block farther south on the southeast corner and known as Columbia Street Methodist Church. By pre-arrangement, the Court House bell, a block away, was rung to call the congregation together. This became so crowded by 1849 that a change was necessary.

On the first Sunday in April, the pastor, Rev. Charles Elliott, at the close of his sermon, asked those to stand who would be willing to join in founding a new church and 85 persons, including men, women and children responded. Thus was born the High Street Methodist Church. The next day, Rev. Elliott appointed the first Board of Trustees composed of Levi Rinehart, Edmund Ogden, Christopher Thompson, L. H. Olds, Rev. J. W. Young, S. G. Moler and S. S. Henkle. At least three of that group have descendants in the present membership.

Both Sunday School and church services were held for some time in the High School building, which became the Female Seminary, and is now the
Y.W.C.A.

On January 1, 1850, a lot was purchased, the site now occupied by our present building. A brick structure was erected and dedicated July 27, 1851. Just ten days before dedication, a resolution was presented to the board by Judge Dial, “Resolved that hereafter those of our church who may be inclined to sit with their families are hereby authorized to occupy seats according to such method of choice as may be mutually agreed upon.” Formerly, they had sat and worshipped, the women on one side and the men on the other. The dissention engendered by this resolution almost disrupted the young church for some members were violently opposed. Rev. Inskip approved and it was finally settled by a change in pastors.

The years 1850—1851 witnessed a remarkable revival starting in the high school and many became valued members of the church.

• In 1868 an addition was put on in front of the existing church at a cost of $18,000, under the dynamic pastorate of Rev. Thomas Collette. Half of the money was raised before completion and the other half in forty minutes on dedication day, the first Sunday in 1870.

• November 3, 1873, during the pastorate of Rev. Lucien Clark, a parsonage was bought, an old residence on the site of our present parish house. This was used until 1891, when the parsonage, now our parish house, was built.
• In 1881, the church was renovated and repainted, according to Mr. Raynor’s report, an iron fence placed in front of the church property, three new furnaces and a new organ added, at a cost of $1950.
• In 1899, a semi-centennial was held and the existing debt was wiped out.
• In 1902, it was decided to build a new church and a building committee was appointed, consisting of J. A. Hayward, 0. F. Hypes, W. H. Raynor, W. S. Meredith, and Guy D. Bayley. The ladies’ furnishing committee was Mrs. Baldwin McGrew, Mrs. Annetta Myers and Miss Mary Johnson. Of these, only Mr. Bayley and Miss Johnson survive.

The structure is of stone with red tile roof, and was patterned after an English country church and the total cost was about $48,000. Old records tell us that Robert Johnson contributed $4707, having agreed to give one-tenth. The rose window in the south front of the church was given as a memorial to Christopher Thompson by his heirs: Mrs. Dorothy Johnson, Mrs. Emma Clark, Mrs. Mary Hayward and Mrs. Alice Rice. The five art windows in the foyer were given by Mrs. Dorothy Johnson. The central figure of Christ is surrounded by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Every evening these windows in the front of the church are lighted by the order of the official board, in perpetual memory of Harry Herr, who was killed in an airplane accident during World War I.

The rose window in the west end of the Sunday School room has in the center the Christ by Hoffman and was given in memory of Mrs. J. W. Gunn by Rev. Gunn and Mr. Bradley.

The dedication services extended from June 28th to July 5th, 1904. Rev. John H. Story, the pastor, was assisted by Bishop James W. Bashford of China, and Bishop David M. Moore of Portland, Oregon.

In 1939, the coal furnaces which heated the building were removed and steam heat was installed with money received from the Alice Hosterman estate.

In 1941, it was determined as a memorial to install a new three manual electric organ with chimes and a divided chancel and an altar. On the altar was placed a cross, given previously in memory of Betty Jane Kent.

 Over the altar is a carving of the Lord’s Supper by Aloys Lang of Oberammergau, given by Mrs. Hypes in memory of Oran F. Hypes. Above the altar is a beautiful rose window given by Mr. Morris G. Dial in memory of Judge Dial. Handsome lighting fixtures for the Sanctuary were given by Clarence Foster, together with other generous contributions. Bronze plates bearing the names of 79 memorials and 157 donors are being dedicated at the present Centennial celebration and placed back of removable panels below the altar.

Two imposing seven-branch candelabra have been placed on either side of the altar, the gift of Mrs. Herr, in memory of Mr. David Herr.

Recently, Miss Eleanor Stimmel has had the organ equipped with a harp attachment, in memory of her sister, Mrs. Carey R. Merriman.

New quarters were made in 1941, for the Boy Scout Troop, in the basement, utilizing the old furnace room and adding three rooms by excavating under the church proper.

In 1945—1946, various improvements have been made, including relaying the tile roof and work in the rear of the church, costing $9000, $4000 coming from the estate of Mrs. Elba Baker. This was undertaken during the pastorates of Dr. Plummer and Dr. Richards.

In the fall of 1948, the trustees and the official Board decided on a program in anticipation of the Centennial Celebration in April, 1949. A new parsonage in Audubon Park addition was purchased. The old parsonage adjacent to the church was converted into a parish house, containing church offices, pastor’s conference room, kitchen and large assembly room or lounge on the first floor. The second floor remodeled for living quarters, which are at present occupied by our youth worker and church secretary. The stone walls of the church were repointed, the exterior woodwork painted after all faulty lumber was replaced and the entire property landscaped. The kitchen and dining rooms were en­larged, refurnished, redecorated and new asphalt tile floor laid. The Sunday School room was redecorated and folding doors installed under the balcony affording space for a small chapel. A new lighting system was placed in the kitchen and dining room, also in the Sunday School Room.

The new parsonage and all these improvements and additions were estimated at a minimum cost of $60,000, $37,000 of which has been raised.

High Street Church has had 33 pastors in 100 years. They have all been men of more than average ability and effectiveness. The Women’s organizations through the years have been unusually active. A high budget is always attained. The Men’s Club has been continuously flourishing for over forty years, a record unequalled.

The interest of our young people is greater now than at any time since the pastorate of Dr. George W. Osmun in the 1920’s. This is due to the joint efforts of our present pastor, Dr. Ross Wilhide, and of Miss Thelma Smith, our youth director.

High Street Church reviews with pride the century past and looks with strong faith and courage for a glorious future of service and enlarged opportunity.

Compiled by Mr. E. J. Carmony
Edited by Miss Mary Johnson

One Hundred Years and Beyond 

One hundred years of service in the history of our church represents more than anyone could ever pack into mere human language. It stands for heroic faith and sacrifice, for laughter and tears, for love and devotion, for success and disappointments, for high and holy moments and for periods when God seemed so still. These and countless other things do these years signify. It seems that one might most nearly summarize it by saying that for the most part, it repre­sents the efforts of a company of men and women most of whom have made a valiant effort to “walk with God”. It is a thrilling thing to be privileged to share in this high moment of celebration and be inspired by the history of the achievements of these men and women of yesteryear. Allowing for all the mis­takes and human frailties, I am quite sure they who have “gone before” and those of us who follow after could, as we review it all, join with Paul in saying, “\Ve have fought a good fight. We have kept the faith.”

But every mile post in life’s journey offers not only the satisfaction of accomplishment—it also presents the thrilling challenge of the unattained, of the “more beyond”. So, we dare not rest in our satisfaction, but we must “reach forth to that which lies before.” We must dare to venture with God to build on the foundation which has been laid by those who have so nobly wrought, for only thus will we show our worthiness of the rich heritage which we celebrate today.
 

Dr.Ross Wilhide

STAFF

Rev. E. Cary Simonton
Senior Pastor

Rev. Paul Price
Minister of visitation

Angela Boblitt
Children and Youth Ministries Director

Bruce Gischel
Associate Pastor

Janine Dotson
Office Manager

J. Chris Moore
Organist/Music Director

Carolyn Bode
Choir Accompanist

Michelle Halbirt
Pre-school Caregiver

Larry Cogan,
Custodian

High Street United Methodist Church
230 East High Street
Springfield, OH 45505
937.322.2527
Fax 937.322.1363

Open Hearts     Open Minds     Open Doors

For more information about High Street UMC, email:
info@highstreetumc.com

Webmaster:
denniscarter@highstreetumc.com