They just don’t build churches like First Evangelical & Reformed Church anymore.
That’s why it was so important for church leaders to keep the landmark, built in 1887 at 320 W. Wayne St., Lima, freshened up and ready for another generation of church-goers.
“We just take so much pride in our church being as old as it is but also as beautiful and ornate as it is,” said Joe Moor, a trustee with the church, sometimes called First Church of Lima. “So many churches nowadays are kind of a steel building of a newer construction. They don’t have those types of details within anymore.
“It’s kind of a lost art anymore.”
It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint and the installation of wall air conditioning units can do to revitalize an old sanctuary. McBride Brothers Painting, of Lima, provided the work on patching up and painting the historic building with painstaking care. It’s a dramatic change from January, when plastic covered most of the church’s seating to protect it from splatters.
The church will celebrate the dedication of its renovated church sanctuary at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, March 20.
From the pipes for the organ behind the wooden cross to the ornate stained glass with rose windows to the second-story balcony overlooking the open 6,706 square foot sanctuary, it’s a feast for the eyes and a restful place for your soul.
“We’ve just taken a lot of pride in what we have,” said Moor, 37 and a lifelong church member who now brings his young family with four little ones to the church.
The church began raising money for a renovation four years ago, in anticipation of the congregation’s 160th anniversary next year.
The church was founded in 1863 under the leadership of Rev. Peter Greding, after nearly four years of a group of German immigrants working to form a church they could attend and study the Bible. Its longest serving pastor was the Rev. Richard Vitz, who spent 26 years there, according to the church history on firstchurchoflima.com.
In 2002, it left the United Church of Christ, so it does not have an active association with any organized faith organization.
“We continue to maintain the authority of Scripture, the Deity of Christ, Salvation through Christ alone, the sacraments of Baptism and Communion and the need for mutual growth, accountability and love for one another,” according to its website.
It faced some challenges once coronavirus hit the region, seeing its regular attendance of 80 shrink down to 60 once they began worshipping in person again. It still offers streamed services for those who can’t make it.
“We’re planning on doing the building rededication to acknowledge it and hopefully get everybody back in to see how nice things look,” Moor said.
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