GIRTON CHURCH OF GOD
Local History Collections
(Description ID: 607448)
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums
Girton Church of God
LH-454
Introduction
Agency History
Scope and Content
Inventory
Introduction
The Girton Church of God records were donated to the Hayes Presidential Library and Museums in 2023.
Agency History
The Girton Church of God had its origins in tent meetings held near County Road 32 in Scott Twp., Sandusky County, Ohio. Many of these meetings were conducted by Daniel Sidney Warner and Brother Barney Warren. Warner had broken away from the Winebrennerian Church of God. He formed the Warner Traveling Group, conducting evangelistic tours throughout the Midwest. By 1891, his efforts took them as far as California. Those who accepted his teachings began to meet in homes for prayer and study. The nearby home of George Roush was a frequent site of these gatherings.
Realizing a need for a building in which to worship, members pledged funds for the construction of a church in the fall of 1915. By the following spring, the building, near the site of their former tent meetings, was completed. On July 16, 1916 the Girton Church of God was dedicated and a week later, the Sunday School was organized. In 1918, members welcomed Rev. John Osborne, their first pastor. He was followed by Reverends Nathan Yoder, Clyde Steepleton, Charles Stowe, Hugh McClintock, Brother Eddings and from l940 to1954 Rev. Clarence Wise.
During Rev. Wise’s pastorate, a nursery, vestibule, and two Sunday School classrooms were added. During the pastorate of Rev. Carroll Sarnes (1954 to 1960) the congregation began construction of a parsonage on a lot near the church. It was completed in 1958. Continued improvements included an organ, piano, baptistery, and in 1972 an education unit.
Other pastors who served Girton Church of God were Reverends Sam Nachtigall, Harold Burgess, Albert Ervin, Ellis Smith, Dean Grow, and Ray Myers. The Girton Church of God held a large celebration in 1986 in honor of its 70th anniversary.
Scope and Content
The records of this church include its constitution, minutes of the church council, Sunday School, Youth Fellowship, and Women’s Missionary Society. Treasurer’s records exist for the church, Sunday School, and the missionary society. Also included is a 1916 subscription list giving members’ names and the amounts pledged to construct the church building. Several photographs of the church and the congregation are included as well church histories. Although incomplete, the bulk of the records are orderly, well-preserved, and in a series of folders and ledgers. The earliest record is the 1916 subscription list and the most recent are the council minutes last recorded in 2003. Finally, a guest record lists a final date of 2003.
Inventory
Ac. 6114
1 ½ linear ft.
Folders
- Constitution, 1971
- Youth Fellowship minutes, 1966-1972
- Women’s Home Missionary Society minutes, 1954-1964
- Women’s Home Missionary Society minutes, 1965-1972
- Guests, 1977-2003
- Scattered Bulletins, 1960s, 1970s
- History
- Clippings and loose notes
- List of Ohio Church of God ministers, 1956
- Photographs, Congregation
- Photographs, Buildings
Ledgers
- Church council minutes; 1955-1966, 1979-1987, 1989-2000
- Sunday School minutes; 1918-1919, 1922-1924, 1924-1930
- Church treasurer records; 1924-1967, 1968-1980
- Women’s Missionary Society treasurer records; 1967-1974
- Subscription List, 1916