Masury United Methodist Church
Thursday, February 23, 2012
A Family Friendly Church in the Heart of Masury
original alter
 
Original Alter  
 
 
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In October of 1910, Mr. William DeForeest and Mr. George Schauweker of First Methodist Church, of Sharon, and Mr. Charles Brown, of First Methodist Church, Hubbard, organized a Sunday school in Masury, and started a movement to raise funds for a church.
A lot to be used as the site for the church was donated by Mr. Samuel Bartholomew and Mr. Charles N. Tribby. Through the cooperation of all concerned, a church was begun in December of 1910.
The congregation held Sunday school in the Masury School located on Elm Street. Mr. Harry L. Hodge was superintendent of the Sunday school. This location was used until the new church building was completed in April of 1911. This building was located on the corner of Broadway and Locust Streets.
At the time of the move to the new church, Sunday school averaged 62, while the church membership was approximately 40. Because of the hard work of these dedicated Christians • the membership grow. Within a matter of two years, the membership had grown to more than 200.
The first Ladies Aide was organized on March 8, 1911. This group of dedicated women served dinners once a week for seventeen years, helping to defray costs of the church.
The dedication of the Masury Methodist Episcopal Church was observed with a week of special services from May 24 to June 4, 1911
The first pastor of the church was Rev. S.A. Peregoy. He was followed by Rev. Harry B. Roberts and Rev. T. I. Hanson. During Rev. Hanson's years, Sunday school was changed from 2:30 P.M. to 10:00 A.M. The weekly service was at 11:00 A.M. and a Wednesday evening service was also held.
Down through the years, we have been led by many men of God. These men kept the fire burning in our hearts. The roster of ministers who have served this church reads: Rev. S.A. Peregoy, Rev. H.B. Roberts, Rev. T.I. Hanson, Rev. T.C. Stahl, Rev. J.W. Danford, Rev. R.K. Bowers, Rev. Paul Hollingshead, Rev. John MacCleery, Rev. A.W Deutsch, Rev. W.M. Freer, Rev. C.L. Cope, Rev. J.H. Elliott, Rev. F.M. Dickey, Rev., John B. McGee, Rev. Eugene Thompson, Rev. F.C. Landfear, Rev. Roy S. Smith, Rev. Russell J. Goodhart, Rev. RE. Swinehart, Rev. Paul R Crooks, Rev. A.E. Beckwith, Rev. A.J. Deutsch, Rev. Ramsey, Rev. Dan Nigolian, Rev. Doug Lewis, Rev. Henry King, Rev. Jay Goforth, Rev. Jeff Stoll,Pastor John Benigas, Pastor Brother Jerry Herron and our present Pastor Ray Ake.
The Epworth League was established in 1940 and was the forerunner of our United Methodist Youth Group of today.
In '1946, a lot (at 320 Broadway) was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Hutchfield, This lot was the proposed site of a new parsonage. Mr. Samuel Jennings financed this project and acting as general contractor, supervised the building of the house. The home was completed and on August 14, 1947, Rev. Russell J. Goodhart and his family moved into the new parsonage.