Published: May 02, 2008 10:34 am            

Otterbein UM noting sesquicentennial

BY TED POTTS

TPOTTS@TRIBDEM.COM

Members of Otterbein United Methodist Church in the Somerset County community of Wilbur are marking the church’s 150th anniversary this weekend.

There will be an open house at the church and a historical display in the building at the church grove from noon to 5 p.m. today. The grove is across from the church, which is on Wilbur Road.

The Rev. Thomas Bickerton, bishop of the Western Pennsylvania United Methodist Conference, will deliver the message and lead members in Holy Communion at the church’s 9:45 a.m. Sunday service.

Otterbein had its beginning in 1858 when a group of people gathered on land near the present church building to worship, said Daniel Ross Jr., chairman of the church’s board of administrators.

Those worshippers subsequently built the first church building on that land.

The church was destroyed by fire in 1887, with the present building constructed in 1888, making the current church 120 years old in 2008.

This year marks 150 years since Otterbein church had its start.

There currently are 160 members on the church roll, said the Rev. James Hamilton, pastor.

Average attendance each Sunday is 43, he said.

Hamilton said the anniversary marks a time of reflection and prayer for the membership. It also is a time to look ahead, he added.

He said the church’s two major doors have been renovated.

New carpeting has been installed at the grove building and a furnace has been added there as well, Hamilton said.

He said a vacation Bible school is held each summer. An after-school program for youngsters in kindergarten through sixth grade is held on Wednesdays during the school year.

Hamilton said Otterbein church has a United Methodist Women’s organization that is very active in the church and community.

Looking back, he said Otterbein members helped organize several churches in the 19th century in an area stretching from Johnstown to Shanksville.

At that time, they would have been United Brethren churches, he said.

In 1968, the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church joined, becoming the United Methodist Church.



150th date

What: Members of Otterbein United Methodist are marking the church’s 150th anniversary today and Sunday.

Where: Wilbur Road in the Somerset County community of Wilbur.

Activities: Church and the building at the grove are open from noon to 5 p.m. today. The grove building is featuring a display on Otterbein church. On Sunday, the Rev. Thomas Bickerton, bishop of the Western Pennsylvania United Methodist Conference, will deliver the message and lead Holy Communion at 9:45 a.m.

        

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