Central Christian Church celebrates 140 years

LIMA — Central Church of Christ has occupied its current building since 1911 — in itself quite a long time — but it’s been part of this community since 1869.

The church is celebrating its 140th anniversary in Lima with special events and services this weekend.

“We hope we’ll have lots of people show up and participate,” the Rev. Mark Tisch said. “We’re excited about the people who are going to be here and also excited to not only look at the past but what’s coming up in the future for us and how we can best serve God in the years to come.”

Special guests include the Rev. Tom Jewell, regional minister in Oklahoma in the denomination, and the Rev. Terry Ford, a pastor in Pennsylvania. They grew up in the church and went on to be ordained in the denomination, Tisch said.

The church has humble beginnings. Ten people met for prayer at the home of H.W. Lewis on Sept. 6, 1896, according to a history booklet published by the church in 1969. That November, a Cincinnati pastor preached four sermons at German Reformed Church in Lima. This led to an official organization of the church. The minutes from the organizational meeting, held Dec. 2, 1869, include:

“We, the undersigned baptized believers, agree to unite ourselves into one body, to be known as the Church of Christ at Lima, Ohio. We further agree that in everything pertaining to the church relationship we will be governed by the teachings of the word of God.”

Meetings were held at German Reformed Chapel, where the group gained 36 new members. The group began to rent that chapel April 3, 1871, and hired its first minister a few months later.

Ever growing, the church group met at a former Presbyterian church at West and High streets. A building project was undertaken, and a new brick building on Wayne Street that held a congregation of about 175 was dedicated Jan. 9, 1876.

A second move was in the works. The current building was dedicated May 21, 1911, under the Central Church of Christ banner. A remodel in 1920 made room for Sunday school, and an education wing with fellowship hall was dedicated in 1956.

That’s about the time Dottie Deysher became involved in the music department. Deysher, now 82, is about to begin her 57th year as minister of music at the church.

“They can’t get rid of me. I won’t go!” she said, laughing.

Deysher, who sang on Easter Straker’s show for 15 years, is about to celebrate her 60th wedding anniversary with her husband, Ed. Their daughter, who was raised in the church, now lives in Kentucky — and has been her church’s organist for at least 30 years, Deysher said.

“It’s very special. My parents went there, my grandparents went there,” Deysher said of the church. “It’s such a big part of my life. And the congregation is just like family.”

All along, the church has been focused on serving its community.

“Christ calls us to minister to the least of these, wherever they are, our neighbors. Whether they’re close at hand or far away, we try to do our part,” Tisch said. “And as a pastor it’s always a wonderful opportunity to have good people to work with, and that’s what we have in this congregation. They work hard, they’re faithful in striving to serve Christ. That always brings joy.”

Who: Central Christian Church, 525 W. North St., Lima

What: 140th anniversary

When: Today and Sunday

For details, call the church office at 419-229-2003.

Today

3 p.m.: Tour of Lima for special guests

6 p.m.: Dinner and program at church fellowship hall

Sunday

10 a.m.: Worship service, with reception following

• Worship begins at 10:30 a.m. beginning Sept. 13.