BOARDMAN — A local church has achieved a special milestone by turning 200 years old this month, with members celebrating the church’s past while looking toward its future.

The congregation of Boardman United Methodist Church, 6809 Market St., gathered recently to mark the anniversary, which included displays of the church’s history with photographs, newspaper articles and other memorabilia.

The Rev. Jerry Krueger, who has been pastor for the past seven years, said most churches do not make a milestone of 200 years.

”The average life span of a church in the modern era is about 40 to 45 years. Our focus here has been looking to the future, celebrating where we are currently and remembering our past,” he said.

He said the church is one of the oldest in the area and the oldest among many United Methodist churches.

Krueger said the church, which has a membership of 400, has all ages attending, which helps with ”a bright future for the church.”

”We have several children, and quite a few younger people have started coming back to the church,” he said, noting that for the anniversary, the church’s children’s choir returned.

Krueger said in the past two years, significant upgrades have been made to the church, including a new roof, new air conditioning unit and a large pipe organ.

”I really think conveying the message that our faith is relative and appropriate is why people come here and stay here. It helps people in good times and difficult times. It is a timeless portion of our faith lives. Our parents and grandparents and children can relate. This is a church that has been engaged in a lot of outreach and caring for neighbors,” he said.

Krueger said the hope for many at the church is to continue making an impact in the community.

”The church is very healthy both financially and spiritually,” he said.

CHURCH HISTORY

Edie Davidson, chair of the church trustees, said the chapel was built in the 1940s, the dining hall in the 1950s and the sanctuary in 1966.

Davidson, who grew up in the church, said its leadership provides for the education of the young, and the bringing up of the children in the church. She said members are involved with a variety of missions.

The church has a modern traditional service, but has had praise services in the past, she noted. More than 35 members have more than 50 years of membership at the church.

Boardman resident Elaine Raffety, church historian who has been at the church since 1967, said it is amazing that the church has been in the community for 200 years.

She was able to compile a history of the church for the 175th anniversary, and that information has been added to for the 200th.

”It is a very vital church with active members,” Raffety said.

Boardman resident Bonnie Babyak, chair of staff personnel relations, said she has been attending the church since 1950.

”As a child I grew up here. The church means everything to me and my family. My mom and dad came here, and my sister and I used to walk to church as children,” she said.

Babyak said her daughter, Vickie Davis, the church’s lay leader, was married in the church as were other family members.

METHODISM

Church members said 1812 marked the birth of Methodism in the local area, when the first Ohio conference took place. Called The Trumbull Charge, it encompassed 400 miles, extending from Lake Erie through all of the Ohio territory and including part of Erie County, Pa.

Officials said Boardman was quick to embrace Methodism. Records show the first real church services were in an old log schoolhouse about 1 mile east of Boardman Center.

In 1838, Anna Marchand deeded land to the trustees of the Methodist Church of Boardman, and in 1884, Thomas Agnew and Joseah Beardsley let a contract for $803 to William Meeker to build the first church home on the site. Located several hundred feet south of the center, next to the town hall, the structure served its members well for many years, with such modernization as electric lights added in 1913 and a balcony in 1923.

With the growth of Boardman, there was a need for a larger church to serve the community. Frank Agnew contacted L. A. Beeghly, hoping to buy three lots from him on which to build. A building campaign took place for a goal of $40,000.

Late in 1940, ground was broken for the present structure, which included the sanctuary, parlor and offices. The membership numbered 278. The formal dedication, with the church free of debt, was on March 26, 1944, and the membership had grown to 500.

Membership in the Boardman United Methodist Church increased with more space required to meet the needs of its people. The new additions of the educational wing and fellowship hall were completed and furnished in 1957 at a cost of $435,000, and 10 years later, the new sanctuary was completed at a cost of $650,000.

Krueger said he plans to retire in June and looks forward to his remaining time at the church.