What we believe
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Springfield Church of the Brethren accepts without reservation:
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Our History
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About Springfield Church of the Brethren
The beginning of Springfield Church of the Brethren goes back to 1868 when three churches broke off from the mother church, East Nimishillen in Hartville. At the start, the congregation met in each other’s homes as well as schoolhouses until a white frame church house, could be built in 1871. This, in addition to the shed for horses, was built from funding coming from subscriptions. This building was expanded in 1910 with a wing enlarging the kitchen and adding a number of rooms. Charles Wilkins was the first paid pastor in 1924, followed by Chester H. Petry in 1928. By 1927 the church had 149 people in attendance. The next year, 1928, the church built a parsonage. In 1937, with the congregation growing, the church was rebuilt by adding the tower, eight Sunday school rooms, a larger vestibule with a cloakroom and the addition of shingles. A phone was installed in 1949 and an organ purchased in 1953. The 1950’s recorded the largest Bible school on record with an average of 177 children. It was also in the 1940’s and 1950’s that the church contributed heifers for relief that were sent to Europe. Ground was broken in 1960 for a new sanctuary with the work completed in 1961. Throughout the years an important service of the church was the Sisters’ Aid Society that did sewing and quilting for others. The aide society was organized in 1916 and continued an active group until more recently. Another program continuing until recently was the Family Night program, started in 1996 for members to come and eat and share in fellowship. The church supported a number of interns over the years, as well as a refugee family from the Ukraine in 1989, and a Vietnamese refugee family in 1978. The congregation has also hosted several exchange students through the years. A number of members of the congregation have been selected to become ordained ministers with many others who have volunteered their service in ministries such as Brethren Volunteer Service and mission work. Early Brethren Practices In the early days of the church, Springfield had many practices that adhered to the Anabaptist faith that are no longer in practice. Because the early Brethren did not believe in higher education, they were not in favor of holding Sunday school classes. There was so much opposition to this novel idea that it was necessary to hold classes in the schoolhouse across the street. Another early practice was the free ministry where elders, which also included visiting elders, would preach and deacons in good standing would care for the congregation. Into the mid-century years, women always had their head covered when worshiping with what was called a “prayer covering”. In the early days, during the worship service, everyone got on their knees facing the pew to pray. During these early years the church thought it improper to use musical instruments in a house of worship with singing done unaccompanied. It was not until 1932 that a piano was purchased to use in the service. Also, in the early days, men and women sat separately together during the morning worship service. (Many of the church buildings built before 1900, even had separate entrances for men and women). Revival meetings were common and scheduled every night for two weeks once or twice a year. Baptism would follow these revival services for those accepting Christ as their personal savior and who wanted to become a member of the church. These baptisms frequently were held at the edge of the the Mogadore Dam before a baptismal was built. The Brethren, then and now, follow the instruction of the early congregation in Germany with trine immersion in doing baptisms. Early in the century the Love Feast was an all-day affair planned by the deacons who in pairs, visited the home of members prior to the Love Feast. They wanted to know if members were still in the faith of the gospel and practicing peace and union within the church. The Love Feast continues today twice a year with an evening service. Men and women sit at separate tables during this service which includes the practice of prayer & reconciliation, feet washing, the fellowship meal followed by communion. |
The first church building.
Sisters' Aide Society in 1925.
This is the church as it was expended in 1937. 
Roger and Virgina Ingold, from Springfield, missionaries to Nigeria in 1960. 
Dedication of our Peace Pole in 1987.
Springfield Church of the Brethren today, with the sanctuary built in 1960.
Communion Table on Mum Sunday
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About the Church of the Brethren
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Continuing the Work of Jesus. Peacefully. Simply. Together.
The word "brethren" comes from the Greek word "ἀδελφός." It describes a community of men and women who chose another way of living: the Way of Jesus. Three centuries ago in a small town in Germany, a group of men and women gathered to study the Bible together. They dedicated themselves to following the Way by entering the water and being baptized. We still do our best to follow the Way, to continue Jesus' work of faithfulness and loving service. We subscribe to no formal "creed" or set of rules. We simply try to do what Jesus did. Jesus brought a message of life, love, and hope. But he offered much more than inspiring words: He understood that people's spiritual needs also include day-to-day human ones — food, health, rest, comfort, friendship, and unconditional acceptance. "I am the way," he told his followers. He showed them how to trust, how to care, and how to help. Steadily, lovingly, even radically, Jesus went about saving the world — by serving its people. Because we believe his message, we seek to do the same. Adapted from, "About us: Welcome" at Brethren.org. (7/2020)
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Our Staff
Andrew Wenger, PastorAndrew joined our congregation in November 2019. Raised near State College, PA, at Middle-Pennsylvania District CoB's Camp Blue Diamond, he holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from Elizabethtown College (Go Bluejays!) and a Masters of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary.
Lauren and Andrew, who met in college, share a love for museums, travel, and coffee. Grace, their daughter, radiates joy, while Beckett, their son, adores trucks and tractors, keeping them busy.
Lauren and Andrew, who met in college, share a love for museums, travel, and coffee. Grace, their daughter, radiates joy, while Beckett, their son, adores trucks and tractors, keeping them busy.
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Rebecca Ebie, Secretary
Rebecca came to our congregation in 2012 serving in a secretarial capacity. Her home church is the Eastwood Church of the Brethren in Akron. Rebecca is a retired secondary school teacher with a recent Master of Divinity degree from Ashland Theological Seminary. She is currently working on a Doctor’s Degree of Ministry degree from Ashland Theological Seminary concentrating in present day Anabaptist church practices. Her interests range from reading, especially mysteries, gardening, Bible study classes, hospitality to appreciating nature. |
