History

The Ohio City United Methodist Church was established in 1882. Enterprise, later name Ohio City, was the intersecting point of three railroads. For this reason, Rev. David Thomas, servant of God, was inspired to organize the Enterprise Society and several other societies which later became churches. Of the five church established, two still serve the communities today - Ohio City and Kingsley. The first building was actually built in 1883 and was approximately 30 feet by 60 feet. Heated by a box wood burning stove, illuminated by coal oil lamps suspended from the ceiling, and a reed organ provided the music.

Pictured to the right is Mrs. Tipple - one of the two women who had a vision to build the Methodist Church in 1910.

Early records are meager, but at fas as can be determined, there were twenty charter members. Two years later, memberships numbered twenty-five. Increased memberships, advanced living standards and change in transportation and communications brought about remodeling changes through 1916. In 1910, the Ladies Aid Society placed their money in a building fund. In the following year, business lots on North Main Street were purchased as the site of the new church. Keeping plans moving, in 1912 the Board of Trustees accepted a challenge to pay a percentage of the $12,000 total cost of the new church.

These people were part of the congregation who began to build the new Church in 1913.

They were present at the 50th anniversary of the building in 1963.

Ground breaking for the new church was April 15, 1913 with the laying of the first brick on May 15, and laying the cornerstone June 15 of that same year. After all of the years of united effort and dedication on the part of the people of the church, the new building was completed and ready for use on June 11, 1916. We have worshiped, worked, lived and loved with many different pastors. For a complete listing of ministers - past and present, click here. We have each enjoyed many different changes, additions and improvementsover the years. It is our desire at Ohio City United Methodist Church to win the love and support of other fellow men and women to hopefully come, join and open their hearts to Christ.

The church is a Christ-centered ministry and believes that Jesus Christ is the light and hope of the world. Without Jesus Christ in one's life, there is a hunger and thirst that one's spirit searches for. The mission of the church is to: Worship God and praise Him will all heart, soul and mind; Teach everyone about the Love of God; Reach the community with the love and hope that Jesus Christ offers to all who will accept Him.

God loves each and every person. The Good News in the Gospel of John (John 3:16-17) tells us, "For God so loved the world, he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

Beliefs

The United Methodist Church is a Protestant denomination which seeks to create disciples for Christ through outreach, evangelism, and through seeking holiness through the process of sanctification. With a focus on triune worship, United Methodists seek to bring honor to God by following the model of Jesus Christ, which is made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit. The flame in the church logo represents the work of the Holy Spirit in the world, which is seen in believers through spiritual gifts. The two parts of the flame represent the predecessor denominations, the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren, and are united at the base symbolizing the 1968 merger.

While many United Methodist congregations operate in the evangelical tradition, others are similar to many mainline Protestant denominations. Although United Methodist beliefs have evolved over time, these beliefs can be traced to the writings of the church's founders, John Wesley and Charles Wesley (Methodist), Philip William Otterbein and Martin Boehm (United Brethren), and Jacob Albright (Evangelical). With the formation of The United Methodist Church in 1968, theologian Albert C. Outler led the team which systematized denominational doctrine. Outler's work proved pivotal in the work of union, and he is largely considered the first United Methodist theologian.

The officially established Doctrinal Standards of United Methodism are:

the Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church;
the Confession of Faith (United Methodist) of the Evangelical United Brethren Church;
the General Rules of the Methodist Societies;
the Standard Sermons of John Wesley;
and John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the New Testament.

These Doctrinal Standards are constitutionally protected and nearly impossible to change or remove. Other doctrines of the United Methodist Church are found in the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church.

The basic beliefs of The United Methodist Church include:

Triune God. God is one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost).
Scripture. The writings in the Old Testament and New Testament are the inspired word of God.
Sacraments. The UMC recognizes two sacraments: Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. The Church believes that "Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are distinguished from others that are not baptized; but it is also a sign of regeneration or the new birth. It believes that Baptism is a sacrament in which God initiates a covenant with individuals, people become a part of the Church, is not to be repeated,and is a means of grace. The United Methodist Church generally practices Baptism by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion and recognizes Trinitarian formula baptisms from other Christian denominations in good standing. The United Methodist Church affirms the real presence of Christ in Holy Communion, believes that it is a time to remember Jesus’ death (with the bread symbolizing His body crucified on the cross and the cup symbolizing His blood shed for humanity), states that it is a means of grace, and practices open communion.

Inclusivity. The UMC includes and welcomes people of all races, cultures, and ages.
Free will. The UMC believes that people, while corrupted by sin, are free to make their own choices because of God's divine grace.
Grace. The UMC believes that God gives unmerited favor freely to all people, though it may be resisted.

The United Methodist Church recognizes the historic ecumenical creeds, the Apostle's Creed and the Nicene Creed; they are used frequently in services of worship. The Book of Discipline also recognizes the importance of the Chalcedonian Creed of the Council of Chalcedon.