Taken from "The History of Kent" by Karl Grismer

History written by Fletcher Simpson

The year Ohio became a state, 1803, Methodism came to "Western Reserve" the name by which this area was known. It was being settled by pioneers from Connecticut. The first Methodist Class formed in this area was at Deerfield by Rev. Henry Shewell and his physician-preacher associate Dr. Shadrack Bostwick from 1803 to 1823. These men carried the Methodist message throughout what is now Portage County.

The growth of all churches was slow because of the scarcity of preachers, the harsh physical struggle for survival, the scattered population and the temptations to take advantage of the absence of restraints usual in more established societies.

In what is now Kent, the first home was established in 1805 by John Haymaker. In 1808 the first grist mill was built. Portage County was formed that year and in 1815 Franklin Township was organized by twelve voters - the entire voting population. This was the first township in the county.

The first record of Methodist activities was in 1815 when a class was formed in Franklin Mills. These early meetings were held in homes of the members. In 1817 a joint school and church was built east of the river near the present intersection of Lake and Crain Avenue. It was a one story, one room structure, with a fireplace on the north side which sometimes threw out sufficient heat but more often did not. The building was used as a meeting house for all sects, circuit preachers, and missionaries on alternate Sundays. During fall and winter the building was used as a school. In 1820 it had to be abandoned because of a religious squabble, caused by a Deacon Andrews (demolition unknown) who had contributed a large part of the money required to erect the building. One Sunday a Scotchman named Elliot preached in the church. All liked his sermon except Andrews. The next Sunday Elliot preached again and Andrews rose to argue with him. Elliot said if he would sit down until after the close of the sermon he would answer any questions Andrews might care to ask. Andrews left immediately after the sermon was completed. The following Sunday when the congregation gathered, they found the door of the church locked. They sent for Andrews. He told them he would not have such "damnable preachin" in his building. The upshot of the whole thing was that Andrews who had been the leading deacon up to that time, withdrew from the congregation and paid back to the other members, all they had contributed toward construction of the building. Another church also used as a school was then erected across the river at about N. Mantua and Stinaff street. This building stood for many years and was used by all sects until they erected buildings of their own.

In 1822 the Methodists were made a part of the Deerfield circuit. From then on it was visited by a circuit rider. In celebration of this event a Centennial Celebration was held August 26 and 27, 1922. Franklin remained a part of the Deerfield circuit under the Ohio district until 1836 when Ravenna became the center of the circuit, Erie Conference. In 1874 the East Ohio Conferences was formed from the Erie and Pittsburg Conferences taking the parts that were on the Ohio side and at the same time Kent was placed in the Akron District. 1837 first resident minister, William Stevens. In 1840 (400 population, four churches) Dr. Thomas Earl (Earl Avenue bears his name) donated land which is now 227 N. Mantua Street for a new Methodist Church. This church was used until 1893 when the church at 303 W. Main was opened. A residence at 221 N. Mantua was used as the parsonage for many years. In the early 1900's the church purchased the home built on the site of the "old, old" church. This was used as a parsonage until 1925 when a home was built by A. Coffeen on Pioneer Ave. This was used until (??), when different housing arrangements were made and ministers bought or rented their own homes.

In 1890 a new building committee was named for the new church on W. Main Street. The cornerstone was laid in 1891 - contract had been set for $21,472.07. $7,262.65 was the cost of the brick and stone work and $1,600 was paid Marvin Kent for the lot. Records show that an association was formed early in the program for payment on the debt. One thousand shares were authorized at $10.95. One of the first acts of the newly formed Ladies Aid Society was to subscribe for 50 shares. At the end of three years this was paid in full and the ladies made other pledges. $583 for furnishing the basement. $900 for aid in paying. By 1901 the Ladies Aid had paid $3,200 on the debt and currents expenses. The church was dedicated December, 1873, and the debt was paid and the mortgage burned on August 21, 1901. In 1908 the first pipe organ was installed. In 1954 a new organ was bought. It was incorporated in our present organ in 1974.

As youth activities increased more room was needed. A gym was built in 1916. This was turned into classrooms in 1930. In the early fifties a feeling developed for a new building program. The Congregational Church and two properties west of it were purchased. Plans were made for an Educational Building back of the church were made.

The new organ was purchased and the Sanctuary extended to accommodate it. The basement "The Black Hole" was excavated under the sanctuary and church offices and Fellowship Hall #2 were created. Much of the work was done by the Deweese Class and the Class in the Corner. Money was raised by serving dinners.

It was then decided that the church needed too many repairs. So plans were made to build a new church. Twenty-two acres of land was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Mohler on East Main Street at the city limits. On November 6, 1960 a loyalty dinner was held and the building fund canvass went forward. The second Loyalty Dinner was held November 3, 1963. Financial backing was completed and the new church and Wesley Foundation program was ready to move ahead.

Wesley Foundation was founded in 1937 and their student center at 511 E. Main Street was dedicated on November 11, 1951. Wendy's is on that property.

On Sunday, April 5, 1964, ground was broken for the new building, except the Sanctuary which would be added later. On Sunday April 25, 1965, the corner stones of the First Methodist Church and the Wesley Foundation were laid (On either side of door to office area). First dinner was potluck dinner for church school workers held in Wesley Foundation Fellowship Hall. It was the only room finished enough to use.

Second Sunday of September (??) first services were held. The Saturday before everyone worked to get everything ready. Tremendous feeling of togetherness. Kitchen was not finished until the Monday before Thanksgiving. Served Rotary in old church. Last Tuesday after Rotary packed dishes for transportation. On Wednesday, cooked Turkey dinner for MYF.

On November 21, 1965, Consecration Service held. Dr. Howard Mumma, and Dr. Frances Kears, Bishop were participants.

On October 15, 1972 the congregation approved by a 95.2% vote the plans for a new design for the sanctuary at a reduced cost approved $625,000. Construction began in spring of 1973, completed Easter of 1974. Consecration Celebrations April 28 - May 19, 1974.

The old organ was taken from storage, more manuals added by Fletcher Simpson who had sat on his mothers lap at the dedication of the old church.

Taken from "The History of Kent" by Karl Grismer

History written by Fletcher Simpson

The year Ohio became a state, 1803, Methodism came to "Western Reserve" the name by which this area was known. It was being settled by pioneers from Connecticut. The first Methodist Class formed in this area was at Deerfield by Rev. Henry Shewell and his physician-preacher associate Dr. Shadrack Bostwick from 1803 to 1823. These men carried the Methodist message throughout what is now Portage County.

The growth of all churches was slow because of the scarcity of preachers, the harsh physical struggle for survival, the scattered population and the temptations to take advantage of the absence of restraints usual in more established societies.

In what is now Kent, the first home was established in 1805 by John Haymaker. In 1808 the first grist mill was built. Portage County was formed that year and in 1815 Franklin Township was organized by twelve voters - the entire voting population. This was the first township in the county.

The first record of Methodist activities was in 1815 when a class was formed in Franklin Mills. These early meetings were held in homes of the members. In 1817 a joint school and church was built east of the river near the present intersection of Lake and Crain Avenue. It was a one story, one room structure, with a fireplace on the north side which sometimes threw out sufficient heat but more often did not. The building was used as a meeting house for all sects, circuit preachers, and missionaries on alternate Sundays. During fall and winter the building was used as a school. In 1820 it had to be abandoned because of a religious squabble, caused by a Deacon Andrews (demolition unknown) who had contributed a large part of the money required to erect the building. One Sunday a Scotchman named Elliot preached in the church. All liked his sermon except Andrews. The next Sunday Elliot preached again and Andrews rose to argue with him. Elliot said if he would sit down until after the close of the sermon he would answer any questions Andrews might care to ask. Andrews left immediately after the sermon was completed. The following Sunday when the congregation gathered, they found the door of the church locked. They sent for Andrews. He told them he would not have such "damnable preachin" in his building. The upshot of the whole thing was that Andrews who had been the leading deacon up to that time, withdrew from the congregation and paid back to the other members, all they had contributed toward construction of the building. Another church also used as a school was then erected across the river at about N. Mantua and Stinaff street. This building stood for many years and was used by all sects until they erected buildings of their own.

In 1822 the Methodists were made a part of the Deerfield circuit. From then on it was visited by a circuit rider. In celebration of this event a Centennial Celebration was held August 26 and 27, 1922. Franklin remained a part of the Deerfield circuit under the Ohio district until 1836 when Ravenna became the center of the circuit, Erie Conference. In 1874 the East Ohio Conferences was formed from the Erie and Pittsburg Conferences taking the parts that were on the Ohio side and at the same time Kent was placed in the Akron District. 1837 first resident minister, William Stevens. In 1840 (400 population, four churches) Dr. Thomas Earl (Earl Avenue bears his name) donated land which is now 227 N. Mantua Street for a new Methodist Church. This church was used until 1893 when the church at 303 W. Main was opened. A residence at 221 N. Mantua was used as the parsonage for many years. In the early 1900's the church purchased the home built on the site of the "old, old" church. This was used as a parsonage until 1925 when a home was built by A. Coffeen on Pioneer Ave. This was used until (??), when different housing arrangements were made and ministers bought or rented their own homes.

In 1890 a new building committee was named for the new church on W. Main Street. The cornerstone was laid in 1891 - contract had been set for $21,472.07. $7,262.65 was the cost of the brick and stone work and $1,600 was paid Marvin Kent for the lot. Records show that an association was formed early in the program for payment on the debt. One thousand shares were authorized at $10.95. One of the first acts of the newly formed Ladies Aid Society was to subscribe for 50 shares. At the end of three years this was paid in full and the ladies made other pledges. $583 for furnishing the basement. $900 for aid in paying. By 1901 the Ladies Aid had paid $3,200 on the debt and currents expenses. The church was dedicated December, 1873, and the debt was paid and the mortgage burned on August 21, 1901. In 1908 the first pipe organ was installed. In 1954 a new organ was bought. It was incorporated in our present organ in 1974.

As youth activities increased more room was needed. A gym was built in 1916. This was turned into classrooms in 1930. In the early fifties a feeling developed for a new building program. The Congregational Church and two properties west of it were purchased. Plans were made for an Educational Building back of the church were made.

The new organ was purchased and the Sanctuary extended to accommodate it. The basement "The Black Hole" was excavated under the sanctuary and church offices and Fellowship Hall #2 were created. Much of the work was done by the Deweese Class and the Class in the Corner. Money was raised by serving dinners.

It was then decided that the church needed too many repairs. So plans were made to build a new church. Twenty-two acres of land was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Mohler on East Main Street at the city limits. On November 6, 1960 a loyalty dinner was held and the building fund canvass went forward. The second Loyalty Dinner was held November 3, 1963. Financial backing was completed and the new church and Wesley Foundation program was ready to move ahead.

Wesley Foundation was founded in 1937 and their student center at 511 E. Main Street was dedicated on November 11, 1951. Wendy's is on that property.

On Sunday, April 5, 1964, ground was broken for the new building, except the Sanctuary which would be added later. On Sunday April 25, 1965, the corner stones of the First Methodist Church and the Wesley Foundation were laid (On either side of door to office area). First dinner was potluck dinner for church school workers held in Wesley Foundation Fellowship Hall. It was the only room finished enough to use.

Second Sunday of September (??) first services were held. The Saturday before everyone worked to get everything ready. Tremendous feeling of togetherness. Kitchen was not finished until the Monday before Thanksgiving. Served Rotary in old church. Last Tuesday after Rotary packed dishes for transportation. On Wednesday, cooked Turkey dinner for MYF.

On November 21, 1965, Consecration Service held. Dr. Howard Mumma, and Dr. Frances Kears, Bishop were participants.

On October 15, 1972 the congregation approved by a 95.2% vote the plans for a new design for the sanctuary at a reduced cost approved $625,000. Construction began in spring of 1973, completed Easter of 1974. Consecration Celebrations April 28 - May 19, 1974.

The old organ was taken from storage, more manuals added by Fletcher Simpson who had sat on his mothers lap at the dedication of the old church.