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A Brief Historical Sketch
of Salem Mennonite Church

In the 1870’s and 80’s there was a growing
tension and frustration  in the Sonnenberg Church.
A small group wanted a broader outlook,

especially with Sunday School, prayer meetings,
missions and education.

Gradually the tension mounted until by 1886 the group separated from
the Sonnenberg congregation, meeting first in the Sonnenberg school-
house (across the road from our present site) until they were denied
use of the building. They then met in an old house at the foot of Schneck
Hill.
                                                           (pictured below)

                  
                                                House at foot of Schneck Hill

A decision was made to purchase land from John Berg and to erect a 30

x 40 foot building across the road from the Sonnenberg schoolhouse. The

building was dedicated November 28, 1886.

                            

                                                 The 1886 building - our present sanctuary

The membership continued to grow so that by the year 1895

twenty-three feet was added to the west end of the building where the

present chancel is located. Additional changes made to the building and

facilities include (but are not limited to) the following:

• 1917 – Burkhoff pipe organ installed

• 1927 – addition of electric lights

• 1935 – removal of horse stables to make room for cars

• 1936 – widening of entrance halls and balcony and addition of new
   pews

• 1948 – excavation of basement and new Schantz pipe organ installed

• 1951 – Purchase of Sonnenberg Schoolhouse to be

    used as a Sunday School Annex

• 1972 – a parsonage was built

• 1974 – a new chancel was constructed and the heating system was
   improved
• 1980 – began construction of the educational wing, new entrance and

    fellowship hall

• 1991 – organ renovation

• 1997 – building project which made the multi-level facility handicap

    accessible, added a new library, office space and Sunday School
   classrooms

• 2000 – Trussed roof added to educational wing

• 2001 – Portico added

• 2004 – New piano was purchased

The main threads in Salem’s history continue to be important:

prayer, Sunday School, education and missions. In 1992 Salem began
a vision to make prayer, scripture and evangelism central to the life of

the church. The foundation for this journey was laid with the LIFE

process and the intergenerational study by Rick Warren The Purpose

Driven Life. Since this initial study additional resources have been

added to help the body grow and mature: Good $ense Budgeting, to
learn God-honoring stewardship; and Discovering our SHAPE as we learn
to connect with the ministries and missions about which we are most
passionate.

      

  Salem Church before the sheds in back were removed.   These were horse stables which needed to be 
   moved to make room for the parking of cars.  Many of us remember the original triangular window in the
   upper, back of the balcony.

Because of our relative geographical isolation from other CDC

(Central District Conference) churches we find that the majority of our

service opportunities are with the Ohio Conference congregations and
MCC (Mennonite Central Committee). Individuals and small groups have
grasped the many opportunities to engage in short-term service through
MCC Connections Thrift Shop, World Crafts, the annual MCC Relief Sale
and meat canning. Cooperation among the three Kidron area Mennonite

churches (Sonnenberg, Kidron, and Salem) in these efforts has fostered

much needed healing and unity.

“Mission vision seeds” have also been planted by the Willing Hearts

Mission Cell and our three way partnership with MCC and the Tanzania

Mennonite Church in the fight against AIDS. Both of these programs also

support evangelism and new church plants.

The youth of the church are provided with opportunities for service

( locally, nationally, and internationally) and conference participation

on a four year cycle. Since this program began there have been several

young persons who have been involved in long term service.

At this 120th anniversary celebration we remember and praise God for

his steadfast care and guidance, looking forward to His plans for His

church we call Salem.

   
          Worship service in the church in those early days.  Recognize the Communion table up front?
                               Compare with Church Worship Service Today in picture below


 
                                              Our present day sanctuary blended with the old