Scioto Valley Church
Delaware OH

Scioto Valley Church has been part of the community since 1879. Our church, beside the Scioto River, is the right place for your family. The country church with a friendly atmosphere.

 

 

 

We're located just 6 miles north of the Columbus Zoo  

The Scioto Valley Christian Union Church has a rich history within the Christian Union denomination. It was one of the first Christian Union churches established. The first pastor attended the meeting that started Christian Union in 1864 toward the end of the Civil War.

According to an article in the "Christian Union Messages" dated April 20, 1899, several interesting things have been found. Rev. Rascelus Gates (The first pastor) was born May 6, 1827 in Washington County. His father, an exhorter in the Methodist Episcopal Church, died when he was only four years old. Rev. Gates had a brother named Seth who became a minister in the Regular Baptist Church. When Rev. Gates was eight his mother moved them to Delaware County near the Scioto river. When he was twenty-two, he married a daughter of a soldier of the war of 1812. They were blessed with five children. The youngest daughter married Rev. W. H. Baker, the publisher of the Christian Union Messages and one of Scioto Valley pastors. Rev. Gates was converted at the age of nineteen. He was ordained to preach in 1861 by the Regular Baptist. When he heard of the movement for the organization of the Christian Union he immediately visited J. F. Givens in Columbus.

On the third Sunday in April 1864 he held the first Christian Union service in Delaware County in his home with nine charter members. Rev. Gates was a member of the Christian Union Convention held in Columbus Ohio June 1864. The Scioto Valley Church was built in 1879 and dedicated the first Sunday in 1880. Local people who wanted a church that would be true to the preaching and teaching of Scripture built it. It was built by John Oller for $1049.00. Daniel Corbin donated Land. Before the O'Shaughnessy dam was built, the church had to be moved. Sometime in the 1920's or early 1930's the church was moved to its' present location. On the outside South wall is a plague that reads: C. U. C. 1879 Built by John Oller, D. L. Kelly, M. D. Corbin.

Some of the other Pastor's who have ministered at Scioto Valley are: W. H. Baker, Jay Smith, James Shadey, Al Bell, Charles Murray, Alvin Conkey, Don Alexander, Denny Dickson, Matthew Mowry, Whitney Budd.

In the 1970’s an addition was put on that provided Sunday school classrooms and rest room facilities.

There have been numerous improvements since then and work continues as the church grows and is able to accomplish new projects.

The first Scioto Valley Christian Union pastor.

On the headstone at the Oller Cemetery

Rev. Rascelus Gates.

Born May 6, 1827

Died April 20, 1905

"Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep, from which none ever wakes to weep."



Druscilla M. Gates, wife.

Died April 14, 1884 67 years, 6 months, 25 days.

Walter, son. No dates found.