First United Church of Christ
Shelby
OH

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The First United Church of Christ is a community of believers United in Christ through Nurturing Relationships, Inviting Neighbors, Touching Needs, Exalting God, and Deepening Faith. We are committed to being a purpose driven ministry, and as such, we desire deeply to share the unconditional love of God with our community both locally and globally. It is our hope that this website will give you a glimpse into our ministry, history, and be a source of information about who we are as a church. After all, the church is not the building, but the people who make up the faith body.

First Church has a rich history and we pray for a promising future. We want YOU to be a part of that future here with us. Here at the First United Church of Christ we believe in giving our visitors an EXTRAVAGENT welcome. “At First Church we promise to always seek to affirm the person that you are with loving hearts and open minds. We promise to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ with you, in loving and being loved by God and neighbor. And most of all, we promise to love you for the person you are and God created you to be, by living out the United Church of Christ’s promise that, “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome at the First United Church of Christ in Shelby Ohio. Jesus never turned anyone away, and neither do we.”

Love and Peace, +James Robinson- Lead Pastor

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United Church of Christ

United Church of Christ churches in Shelby, Ohio, United States

United Church of Christ churches in Ohio, United States

United Church of Christ churches in United States

All churches in Shelby, OH

http://firstuccshelby.org/

James R Robinson

Pastor

419-347-7777

Pastor James Robinson was born raised in North Central Ohio. He grew up living in Mansfield and Shelby Ohio. “The Church has always been in my blood. I can remember as a young child always looking forward to Sunday mornings. When I was at home with my mother on the weekend, a sweet little neighbor lady would pick me up and we would go to Shiloh Full Gospel Baptist Church in Mansfield, Ohio, (A predominantly African- American congregation). When I was with my grandparents on the weekends we would attend Maranatha Bible Baptist Church in Shelby, Ohio. I was about 12 years old when I first felt a desire in my heart for the ministry. It was then that I began teaching Sunday school to the younger children, and was allowed to preach from time to time in my grandparents church. At about the age of 15, I was introduced to Pentecostalism. I immediately feel in love with the tradition. Having family that were both Baptist and Pentecostal was great for me. It meant I could go to both churches! I could have the best of both worlds.”

After graduating from Shelby High School in 2009, Pastor James began studying at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio. He graduated from Ashland in 2013 Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Religion. “While studying at Ashland, my ideas about faith were greatly challenged. New ideas, new theologies, and new perspectives were introduced to me. I went to University with a very segregated view of Christianity. I came out of University with an open view of the faith, and a heart to serve and bring ALL of God’s children together. My time at Ashland allowed me to open my mind and my heart. I realized that church was not just for those whom society had deemed ‘righteous,’ but that the church was for ALL peoples. I began to read about the United Church of Christ. I loved the broad message of love for all people, grace for all people, and inclusiveness that the church proclaimed. It was time for a change. I went into University knowing that God loves me... and I came out of University realizing that God loves everyone else too."

Pastor James’ journey with First Church began when he came on as our Youth Pastor in October of 2013. In late 2014, he became our Associate Pastor, but still continued serving in the capacity of youth ministry. In August of 2015, the congregation voted to extend the call of Lead Pastor to Rev. James Robinson, and he was installed by Rev. Daniel Busch of the North West Ohio Association of the United Church of Christ in October of 2015. Pastor James is a licensed minister with the United Church of Christ, and plans to continue his education in order to seek full ordination with the UCC. Pastor James resides in Shelby with his three sons Aiden, Carson and Grayson.

419-347-7777

Sunday Worship 10:00 AM

Service Times last updated on the 20th of September, 2021

The First United Church of Christ in Shelby was organized in 1851, as the German Reformed Church. The first members of our congregation met in the Methodist Church, which was located at the corner of North Gamble Street and West Smiley. On January 19, 1852, the congregation met in the Exchange Hotel at West Main Street and North Gamble and started Plans to construct its own church building. The first council elected were Moses Crum and Samuel Nazor, Elders; Jacob Kuhn, Deacon; and Moses Crum, William Hawk, and John Strock, Trustees. A building committee composed of J.H. Hershiser and John Bauchman was also formed. A deed recorded in the Richland County Recorder’s Office on April 5, 1852, shows that Henry and Sarah Whitney sold to the Trustees for $200.00 “lot No. Thirty-Nine in Whitney’s Addition to the town of Shelby, it being sixty feet front and one hundred sixty feet back.” As a result of the hard work of the building committee, the cornerstone was laid in May of 1852.

What is supposed to have been the first reed organ in Shelby was purchased in 1858. The present church bell was purchased in 1862. On September 8, 1867, the members adopted a constitution and the same morning started a church school with, “teachers- 7 males, 5 females; scholars- 28 males, 24 females, and a collection of $1.00.” The house on the lot south of the church was bought for $2,000.00 on September 1, 1911 for a parsonage. In May, 1912 the church celebrated its sixtieth anniversary and organized a missionary society.

In February 1924, under the leadership of Pastor Hassler, whose picture can be seen hanging in the present sanctuary, the congregation decided to remodel and enlarge the existing building. Within thirteen days the chosen committee had received pledges of $14,000.00. The congregation accepted a bid for $21,410.00, excluding heat, seating, interior decoration and stained glass windows. The cornerstone service was held August 17, 1924. Although some use of the new church was made in February 1924, the dedication service was scheduled for Palm Sunday, April 5, 1925. The total cost of the project came to $28,000.00. We all should realize that the original church is inside the walls of the church that we worship in today.

In 1934 the Reformed Church Merged with the Evangelical Church, and became known as the Evangelical and Reformed Church. The Shelby congregation continued to grow and in 1941, it was able to burn the mortgage. After an initial suggestion by Miss Edna Burrer, A Wicks Pipe Organ was purchased for $4,177.00. The Ladies Aid and Missionary society was discontinued, and the Women’s Guild came into being in 1945.

In the mid- 1950’s two important events occurred. A fund was started to build a new Christian Education Annex to the Church. The second was that the Evangelical and Reformed Church merged with the Congregational Christian Churches to form the United Church of Christ. The formal Merger was on June 25, 1957. This merger brought into being the “youngest denomination” on the American scene; however, its roots and history started in the Reformation period. The Reformed Church came into being through the Reformation in Switzerland, while the Evangelical Church was an outgrowth of the German Reformation. The Congregational Church was born out of the Reformation efforts in England and dates back to the Sixteenth century. The Christian churches, the forth denomination in forming the UCC, was distintly an American denomination resembling the Disciples of Christ in origin and development. Therefore, the Shelby Church, which began as the Reformed Church, and in 1934 became the Evangelical and Reformed Church is now The First United Church of Christ.

Dedication of the new educational wing was on September 10, 1961. A parking lot across Church Street was acquired. The new Education Annex was paid in full, a cost of $100,244.00, in January 1967, and a mortgage burning service was held a month later. In June of 1971, the church parsonage on Windemere Drive was purchased for slightly over $28,000.00. The old parsonage that had served so long and well was razed shortly after. During the 1970’s the first women were elected to the Church Council. Mary Keil served of the Board of Trustees. Dorothy Trout and Rosella Wood began their Service as deacons.

In December 1975 a large bequest was made to the Church from the estate of Mrs. Clara Adams, a longtime member. Thanks to her generosity, Air- conditioning was installed, a scholarship fund was initiated. Many members who are deceased have left bequests, , which have greatly benefited First Church and the Wider Church.

In 1977, First Church brought a Vietnamese refugee family to Shelby, purchased a home and provided nurturing to the family of Thai and Lieu Nquyen from the time of their arrival in 1979, until they moved to Florida in 1990. In the 1980’s an elevette was built which provides accessibility to all floors of the church and education wing.

On August 28, 2016 the First United Church of Christ had a congregational meeting and voted by majority to adopt an Open and Affirming (ONA) Covenant. This put into writing the commitment of the First UCC to extend an extravagant welcome and affirm and love all people, regardless of who they are or what they believe.

Timeline of Ministers

Rev. Joseph Thomas 1850- 1852
Rev. J.C. Klar (Supply) 1852
Rev. Adam Stump (Supply) 1854
Rev. Henry Willard 1854-1857
Rev. Henry Hess 1857-1859
Rev. F.A. Edmonds 1859
Rev. D.W. Kelly 1861-1863
Rev. Nathaniel Loose 1863-1877
Rev. C.W.Good 1877-1879
Rev. Orange E. Lake 1879-1886
Rev. W.C.B Shulenberger 1887-1893
Rev. Nathaniel H. Loose 1894-1901
Rev. Freeman Ware 1901-1902
Rev. D.A. Parks 1903-1904
Rev. H.C. Blosser 1905-1907
Rev. J.S. Freeman 1908-1910
Rev. Frank A. Shults 1910-1914
Rev. C.F. Brouse 1914-1919
Rev. Edgar S. Hassler 1919-1929
Rev. David J.W. Noll 1930-1938
Rev. Carl A. Grimm 1939-1944
Rev. Harlan J. Miller 1944-1950
Rev. Marion C. Harrison 1950-1953
Rev. M.L. Seybold 1954-1957
Rev. Maynard G. Oesterle 1957-1959
Rev. Daniel Schlinkmann 1959-1962
Rev. Robert Z. Lahr 1962-1968
Rev. Robert F. Peeples 1968-1983
Rev. John J. Bradley 1983-1999
Rev. Marcus Buehrer (supply) 1999-2001
Rev. Dr. David Aune (supply) 1999-2001
Rev. Marjorie Mair- Hansen 2001-2002
Rev. Dr. Richard Rader 2002-2010
Rev. George Johnson (Interm) 2010 -2012
Rev. Robert E. Flint 2012-2015
Rev. James R. Robinson 2015-present