Grace United Methodist Church of St. Marys, Ohio began as a little white frame church located on the
crossroads of what is known as Carter Creek, southeast of St. Marys. In November of 1897, through the
influence of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dowty, Mr. and Mrs. Gus Seeman, and Mrs. Sarah Hinkle, the church
was moved to its present location on the corner of Columbia and Pine Streets. In the same year of 1897,
the membership was organized as The United Brethern in Christ at St. Marys, Ohio.
When the little white frame church was moved to St. Marys, it was valued at $620.50. With repairs after
moving and the price of the lot, the total evaluation was $12,023.94.
As the years passed, other repairs became necessary at a cost of nearly $500.00. Eventually church
leaders saw the need of a new structure. The present cement block building was begun in 1923. In January
1926 the corner stone was laid. The cost of the new building was $16,492.65. Meanwhile on November 16,
1925 the church of the United Brethern in Christ of St. Marys, Ohio became an Ohio Corporation. It's
location is recorded as Lot 9, block 48 of the East Addition of St. Marys, Ohio.
On June 30, 1943 a parsonage was purchased for the minister's living quarters. The parsonage, located on
the northeast corner of Columbia and Pine Streets was purchased for the sum of $4,500.00
November 16, 1946 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a Uniting Conference was held. The Conference joined
the United Brethern in Christ Church and the Evangelical Church forming the Evangelical United
Brethern Church. On this same date the local United Brethern in Christ Church became the First
Evangelical United Brethern Church of St. Marys, Ohio.
April 2-3, 1968 at Dallas Texas another Uniting Conference took place, joining the Evangelical United
Brethern Church and the Methodist Church to form the United Methodist Church. The local church has
since been called Grace United Methodist Church of St. Marys, Ohio.
There has been considerable property improvements in the past twenty years to church property. In 1954
a new kitchen was added to the parsonage, with the old kitchen renovated into the pastor's study and a
lavatory. In the 1970's the parsonage was carpeted downstairs; a new refrigerator, stove, and automatic
clothes dryer purchased, parsonage and garage painted and re-roofed, or shingled. The church worship
center has been renovated with a new organ and piano; the sanctuary painted light gold, furnace repaired
with new motors and duct work, the basement paneled and painted, nursery carpeted and newly furnished.
The present insurance value of the Grace united Methodist Church is $60,000 and the parsonage $20,000
in 1976.
Thirty two pastors have served the United Brethern in Christ, First Evangelical United Brethern, and
Grace united Methodist Church of St. Marys, Ohio
Olive M. Carter January 1977
crossroads of what is known as Carter Creek, southeast of St. Marys. In November of 1897, through the
influence of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dowty, Mr. and Mrs. Gus Seeman, and Mrs. Sarah Hinkle, the church
was moved to its present location on the corner of Columbia and Pine Streets. In the same year of 1897,
the membership was organized as The United Brethern in Christ at St. Marys, Ohio.
When the little white frame church was moved to St. Marys, it was valued at $620.50. With repairs after
moving and the price of the lot, the total evaluation was $12,023.94.
As the years passed, other repairs became necessary at a cost of nearly $500.00. Eventually church
leaders saw the need of a new structure. The present cement block building was begun in 1923. In January
1926 the corner stone was laid. The cost of the new building was $16,492.65. Meanwhile on November 16,
1925 the church of the United Brethern in Christ of St. Marys, Ohio became an Ohio Corporation. It's
location is recorded as Lot 9, block 48 of the East Addition of St. Marys, Ohio.
On June 30, 1943 a parsonage was purchased for the minister's living quarters. The parsonage, located on
the northeast corner of Columbia and Pine Streets was purchased for the sum of $4,500.00
November 16, 1946 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a Uniting Conference was held. The Conference joined
the United Brethern in Christ Church and the Evangelical Church forming the Evangelical United
Brethern Church. On this same date the local United Brethern in Christ Church became the First
Evangelical United Brethern Church of St. Marys, Ohio.
April 2-3, 1968 at Dallas Texas another Uniting Conference took place, joining the Evangelical United
Brethern Church and the Methodist Church to form the United Methodist Church. The local church has
since been called Grace United Methodist Church of St. Marys, Ohio.
There has been considerable property improvements in the past twenty years to church property. In 1954
a new kitchen was added to the parsonage, with the old kitchen renovated into the pastor's study and a
lavatory. In the 1970's the parsonage was carpeted downstairs; a new refrigerator, stove, and automatic
clothes dryer purchased, parsonage and garage painted and re-roofed, or shingled. The church worship
center has been renovated with a new organ and piano; the sanctuary painted light gold, furnace repaired
with new motors and duct work, the basement paneled and painted, nursery carpeted and newly furnished.
The present insurance value of the Grace united Methodist Church is $60,000 and the parsonage $20,000
in 1976.
Thirty two pastors have served the United Brethern in Christ, First Evangelical United Brethern, and
Grace united Methodist Church of St. Marys, Ohio
Olive M. Carter January 1977
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