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· First : David Zook · Isaac Yoder told the congregation that "it has the · met in · First : Christian Brandt - 1866 keys, not the full ministers. The full ministers Wayne County regarding the · Plank Cemetery in · John Burkholder, a baptized must get the key from the congregation." This rebaptism dispute. A letter of · Christian Brandt purchased 160 acres for Wooster; burials of Mennonite emigrant from statement was quoted by other leaders. concern, signed by 26 lay $16.50/acre. In 1862 it became the site for Oak Oak Grove members Switzerland, was accepted into members, was submitted but no Grove Meetinghouse. · Bishop John (Hannes) Yoder · ministers met Pennsylvania Amish ministers membership upon his confession moved to Wayne County from to resolve the dispute about accepting response was given. It resulted · Oak Grove started as an Amish church of without rebaptism. Center County, Pennsylvania without rebaptism. They concluded in two factions which met · 25 families in Oak Grove and ministered at Oak Grove. that rebaptism was required. separately for a period of time.

1818 1820 1822 1824 1826 1828 1830 1832

· Sonnenberg settlers arrived · Sonnenberg Mennonite Church · Crown Hill Mennonite Church · Joseph Smith Published began in Rittman the · Kidron established began in Kidron meeting in homes

· U.S. President: James Monroe · First group of freed slaves · Ohio & Erie Canal opened · First Webster's · Green Township · Congress adopted the U.S. flag design of 13 from U.S. arrived in Africa Cleveland-Portsmouth, OH Dictionary was organized in Closed early 1900's · City of red/white stripes & 1 star for each state 1817 · Lincoln became a Wooster · 19 states in USA (Ohio was one) · First RR Charted candidate in Illinois founded · Handel's Messiah premiered in Boston in 1808 General Assembly · 1st known carol: Silent Night · Bishop Christian Schantz baptized · Minister Peter Nafziger 8 youth in the stream while other · David Zook moved to Fairfield County, Ohio. He moved to Fulton County, OH. youth were baptized by the was an Elder there until his death in 1863. · John Fortenwald asked for traditional method of pouring. · Hannes (John) Fortenwald, a participant in the help from Pennsylvania · Christian Nafziger ordained May 25, 1831 Ministers Conference, succeeded ministers to resolve the as minister; by 1868, he was David Zook as bishop. Oak Grovedifferences Events on rebaptism. minister at Pretty Prairie, IN · Minister Peter Schrock died

1834 1836 1838 1840 1842 1844 1846 1848

· First Sonnenberg Church · End of 2nd Great Awakening · The World Evangelical · The Dutch Mennonite Building in Kidron Revival (1790-1840) Alliance, now based in Mission Association New York City, was founded. · Martins Mennonite · End of Restoration Movement originated in England Church began in Orrville (1800-1840); origin of "Christian Larger ChurchChurches" and "Disciples of Christ" Events

· Village of · Samuel Morse · First regular transatlantic · First bowling match in U.S. · First Telegram · Karl Marx wrote Smithville laid invented the crossing by steam ship Robert Morse Communist Manifesto out & platted telegraph · Edison born

· U.S. National Debt is $0 for first and only time World Events · 1850-1870: Influx of progressive French immigrants; · John K. Yoder ordained as minister · After financial difficulties and Rich, Liechty, Alliman, Gerig, Meyer, Kropf, Graber, Sommer, Krabill, in Mifflin City - 1906 subsequent controversy, Bishop Yoder · The first Oak Grove meetinghouse named Jeanneret, & Jaquet were common names · Emanuel Hochstetler moved to Ohio and moved to . "Amish Mennonite Center of Green · Hannes Yoder and Emanuel Hostetler withdrew from the congregation. joined the ministry at Oak Grove. - 1862 · John K. Yoder ordained as bishop Church" and a cemetery were built. · Jacob D. Yoder was ordained to ministry at Oak Grove with a request · Peter Blough ordained as minister · Christian Conrad ordained as minister · First Diener Versammlungen (ministers' that the congregation permit him to baptize in the creek. - 1858 gatherings/conferences) were held at the · The was replaced with · Jonathan Smucker ordained as minister Samuel Schrock farm, with 72 ordained the Unpartheyisches Gesangbuch · Christian K. Yoder ordained as minister leaders from to · Jacob D Yoder ordained as bishop (Mennonite Songbook)

1850 1852 1854 1856 1858 1860 1862

· Dispensationalism, · Premillenialism promoted a · First Sunday School in · The General Conference of · Second Sonnenberg introduced by John Darby in literal 1,000 year reign of Christ. Holmes County the Mennonite Church of Church built in Kidron England, believed that · Amillenialism regards the 1,000 · John Holdeman established North America was formed. uses different means of years of Revelation 20 as the Church of God in Christ · Beginning of 3rd Great working with people during symbolic, not literal. Mennonite (Holdeman) in Awakening revival different time periods. Wayne County, Ohio. movement (1860-1920) · First Adding Machine · City of Orrville founded · Charles Darwin · Organized Baseball · The Civil War began. Some with keys published "On the began in San Francisco paid a $200 exemption fee. Origin of Species" · Abraham Lincoln elected · Cornerstone speech given by Vice · First transatlantic President Alexander Stephens cable used · Oak Grove became a Mennonite Church & aligned with progressive Amish churches; became known as Amish Mennonites. · Oak Grove began to question · David Z. Yoder was ordained by lot · David Z. Yoder was ordained as the use of beer & whiskey. minister - 1929 Three members were asked · Solomon Zook left minstry · John & Mary Smiley came from to close their breweries. · Oak Grove supported the Indiana. John served as minister · Sunday school started; 200-300 in migration until 1878. attendance in bi-weekly sessions and assisted 20 families.

1864 1866 1868 1870 1872 1874 1876 1878

· Herald of Truth · Ohio Conference · Wadsworth Institute (1868-1878) · D.L. Moody began · Bethel Mennonite · Bethel College (Kansas) began - 1908 approved Sunday School began as the first Mennonite (GC) evangelistic meetings Church began in founded Wadsworth school of higher education in America · Apostolic Christian Church established in Rittman

· College of Wooster founded · First · Completion of the · Telephone · Phonograph invented · Lightbulb typewriter · Suez Canal opened Transcontinental invented by Thomas Edison invented · Smithville Railroad from New York by Thomas · Abraham Lincoln shot Academy to San Francisco Edison · Civil War Ended began · First White House egg roll · David Hostetler was ordained minister - 1889 · First area young people's meeting · 7 member committee, chaired by C. Z. · · A second meetinghouse was built 4 held at Oak Grove & Pleasant Hill Yoder, was appointed and recommended miles north and became known as · Sunday School met before the service. 16 proposals about dress, missions, · Pleasant Hill. Church life continued as recreation & . one congregation. · David Hostetler & S.K. Plank led a · 42 were baptized small group that broke away and · 1890 - 1893 · Peter Conrad and Solomon K. Plank later formed Salem Mennonite · Christian Z. Yoder was 112 baptized were ordained as . Conrad Church, Wooster in 1892. ordained as deacon. servedOak for more than 50 years. Grove Events

1880 1882 1884 1886 1888 1890

· Salem Mennonite Church · Moody · Progressivism began in Kidron emphasized progress Institute achieved by applying founded social & Christian principles to personal, Larger Church Eventscultural & social issues

· First 8-hour work · First day proclaimed · Statue of Liberty dedicated · Mark Twain wrote World"Huckleberry Finn" Events · Isaac Miller became · Year round Sunday School · Ben Gerig ordained as bishop pastor - 1894 services alternating between · J. S. Gerig ordained as minister - 1955 Oak Grove & Pleasant Hill · First Sunday School · D. Z. Yoder family moved to colonize missions offering: $15.31 · Missions promoted through Denbigh, VA. They returned in 1904. Sunday School · Ben Gerig ordained as minister by lot - 1913 · Lina Zook moved to Chicago to help · The Point Breeze · C. Z. Yoder named to Elkhart Institute board of directors in city mission. Chautauqua was organized · Eastern Amish Mennonite · Oak Grove students began attending by John B. Eberly and his Conference organized at the Elkhart Institute. son, John M. Eberly. - 1916 Oak Grove

1892 1894 1896 1898 1900 1902

· Sterling Mennonite, General Conference, organized · Salem Mennonite Church, · Elkhart Institute · An orphanage was · Mennonite General (sold to the in 1920) Wooster began from a small founded established by David Conference (MC) group led by David Hostetler & & Ellen Plank Garber. formally organized · Central Mennonite College (Bluffton University) founded S.K. Plank · Mennonite Mutual · An old peoples' home was established next to began. Crown Hill Church. Oak Grove contributed heavily. J. M. Smucker was president. · First International Peace Conference · First basketball game · Radio · Smucker's Jellies founded played in public invented · Ellis Island begins accommodating immigrants · First fingerprinting · Oak Grove began week long Bible conferences. Many speakers were brought in. It continued for several years. · Present building dedicated; about 500 members · Lina Zook married Jacob A. Ressler and returned to · Oak Grove Sewing Circle began Dhamtari, India. They came back in 1908 due to health · Peter R. Lantz was ordained as minister for problems. · Oak Grove helped with Canton City Mission Canton Mission. He moved to Wayne County in 1912 and served at Oak Grove - 1927 · C. Z. Yoder ordained as minister - 1930 · Jacob S. Gerig ordained · Helped to start Orrville Mission as bishop - 1955

1902 1904 1906 1908 1910 1912

· Orrville Mennonite · First Mennonite Church · Third Sonnenberg Church · "Herald of Truth" & "Gospel Witness" Church began in Orrville began in Canton built in Kidron combined to become "Gospel Herald" as a mission outpost of · Merger Committee for Ohio - 1998 · Goshen College founded as · Mennonite Board of Oak Grove & Martins Mennonite & Eastern Amish successor to Elkhart Institute Missions and Charities · "The Mennonite" began publication - 1998 · The Scofield Reference Mennonite Conferences met in Smithville (see 1927) began in Rittman, Ohio · Federal Council of Churches established Bible by Cyrus I. Scofield emphasized dispensationalism · Airplane invented · Azusa Street Revival in L.A., · Smith Dairy founded · The Ford moving assembly California was the origin of line was perfected for the · First college bowl game played the Pentecostal movement. manufacture of the Model T, · First electric movie theater which reduced its production time to 93 minutes per car. · Charles Lindbergh born · Titanic sank · Jesse N. Smucker ordained as minister while a student at · : Some men accepted , some served in non-combatant Goshen College - 1936 roles, and some were imprisoned in military camps. · Because of Goshen College closing for one year, 7 students · Oak Grove & Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association was formed. · Oak Grove did not promote war bonds. The building got defaced with yellow paint. transfered to Bluffton College. · J. C. Meyer spent time in 3 military camps. No ministers visited him. Many continued thereafter at · All English worship services · David Rohrer, great-grandfather of Eric, Jeff, Justin & Matt, was "taken on a ride" by 8-10 men, Bluffton. · Concern of wordly fashions with handkerchiefs over their faces, after he refused to buy Liberty bonds to finance WW1. · Peter Lantz · Crissie Yoder & Charles Shank married and went · Electric was · First meeting of Mennonite Mission Board met at Oak Grove ordained as to India as . After their return in 1919 Oak, Grovebrought into Events pastor - 1927 Crissie served as chair of Ohio sewing circles. · In the 1920s, the Farmer's Institute provided education and the building. entertainment for youth and adults in the Smithville area. 1914 1916 1918 1920 1922 1924

· Daniel Kauffman · Eastern · William Riley · Mennonite Central Committee · Smithville High · Goshen College closed wrote Bible Doctrines Mennonite promoted (MCC) began School was a for one year University four year school Largerfounded Church Events

· Panama Canal opened · United States · World War 1 ended · Women's suffrage · USSR formed · Joseph Stalin came to power in Soviet Union · World War 1 began declared war · Route 30 came through Ohio · First radio ad against Germany · The League of Nations established peace accords World Eventsending World War I. · Oak Grove Amish Mennonite · Merle Lehman, Kidron, painted Church name was changed to "God is Love" on the sanctuary Oak Grove Mennonite Church. wall. · First rendition of Handel's · Oak Grove began having · Wednesday evening youth Bible Messiah was performed with preaching services every Sunday study meetings were organized Irene Musser as director · Individual communion · The church was and widely attended. · First Vacation Bible School was cups were approved and remodeled for organized by Jesse Smucker used for the first time. the first time.

1926 1928 1930 1932 1934 1936

· "Mennonite Weekly Review/ · Eastern Amish Mennonite · "Sword & Trumpet" Mennonite World Review" Conference merged with the began publication began publication Ohio Mennonite Conference · The First Mennonite World · "Mennonite Quarterly Conference was assembled in Review" began publication Basel, Switzerland. · The "Scopes" trial in Dayton, TN · Charles Lindbergh flew · The Great Depression began. · Adolf Hitler took power. accused a high school teacher of across the Atlantic. violating a state act which made · Television was invented it unlawful to teach evolution in public schools in Tennessee. Scopes eventually was acquitted. · Oak Grove fully joined the Ohio and · Some controversy arose about Eastern Amish Mennonite Conference. salvation & the ethical position · Oak Grove heavily · Virgil Gerig ordained as supported young minister - 1960 · Oak Grove called William G. Detweiler of peace and non-resistance. men, with financial · First Harvest Home to join the ministry · J. S. Gerig asked Oak Grove and the conference aid, who chose · Oak Grove was asked to leave · C. Z. Yoder, minister, evangelist and music to ordain another minister. A high percentage of . Ohio and Eastern Amish committee chairman for the Mennonite the congregation nominated Virgil Gerig. The decision was made to ordain without the lot. Mennonite Conference · Oak Grove's & Pleasant Hill's Church, died on December 9. Objections to Virgil's qualifications were raised. membership total peaked at 666 · The Ohio Sunday School Conference was held at Oak Grove.

1936 1938 1940 1942 1944 1946

· Kidron Mennonite · MCC Meat Canning began · Civilian Public · Wooster Mennonite Mission · Mennonite Mutual · Ten Thousand Villages began began in Wooster Church began Service (CPS) Aid (MMA) began · Voluntary Service founded · "Calvary Hour" began radio program · Minority group given began - 2001 possession of Pleasant Hill Mennonite Church · First computer · The Hindenburg crashed · World War II began · Pearl Harbor attack · U.S. atomic bomb dropped · "Iron Curtain" was coined by - U.S. entered WWII on Hiroshima & Nagasaki Winston Churchill · World War II ended · Palestine divided · United Nations established - State of Israel Proclaimed · First use of piano for Messiah · Abe Kraus was student pastor · F irst woman on council: Marie Miller · Oak Grove assisted in Wooster · Oak Grove decided to extend · Land, north of road was communion to all Christians. purchased for cemetery. · Marvin Zehr became interim pastor · Calvin King was Mennonite building project student pastor · · The Messiah was performed · J. Lawrence Burkholder Oak Grove approved piano · Robert Otto called as pastor - 1965 · Membership was 437 use for special occasions. with strings & organ. · Women were encouraged became interim pastor · Approved use of the church to wear some type of · Bernard Retzlaff · First fellowship hall among · Church sanctuary for interracial wedding of · A constitution was adopted coverings for worship. · was student pastor area Mennonite Churches renovated church members · Council of Elders established Marvin Zehr was Oak Grove Eventsstudent pastor · White Gift offering began

1948 1950 1952 1954 1956 1958 1960 1962

· World Council · Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) began · Hammer tent revival · Billy Graham began London · The hymn, "How Great · Associated Mennonite Biblical · MCC Teachers Abroad Program (TAP) began of Churches · "The Mennonite Hour" radio program campaign began in Orrville, evangelistic campaign Thou Art" became popular Seminary (AMBS) began · Central Christian High School opened established Ohio as "Christian Laymens · Camp Luz opened by the Billy Graham team. · began - 1992 Smithville Mennonite Church · Second Vatican Council brings church · Association" Camp · "Heart to Heart" radio program began · Ohio Evangel began began in Smithville closer to people Friedenswald Larger· The Mennonite Mental Health Church Events founded · National Council of Churches established Services were incorporated. · Charismatic movement began · First jet airplane · Ellis Island closed · First Nuclear Plant · First liver opened in England transplant · Communist Revolution in China - People's Republic was established · Purdue University was first college to · died offer a Computer World Events Science major. · Lester Hostetler · Sheldon Sawatzky was · After a study of divorce & remarriage, · Oak Grove studied became interim Pastor · Oak Grove studied baptism & student pastor Oak Grove affirmed their acceptance. · Peter Wiebe became pastor - 1984 · The Oak Grove Preschool opened. women in leadership · Lotus Troyer became membership. They concluded · Removed the coal furnace · Oak Grove applied for dual membership in the · First female associate pastor: and voted to allow pastor - 1971 that they should be viewed as & installed gas heat Central District Conference & Ohio Conference Martha Smith Good - 1976 women as elders separate events. See 1981 · Bob Schloneger was · Wayne Yoder was · Parsonage built · The first organ, an · Lester Hostetler became interim pastor - 1972 · L. Miller family donated bells Allen, was purchased. in memory of Marie Miller student pastor student pastor - 1978 east of the church · Larry Yoder was · Ron Klassen was student pastor · Fellowship Hall enlarged · Yoshihira Inamine · Lala K.K. Dey was student pastor · New constitution created · 2-story · Alice Parker's Martyr's Mirror Oratorio was performed at was student pastor student pastor - 1966 with 6 commissions · Oakie Burgers first sold educational Oak Grove and in 1975, at McGaw Chapel, COW. at Relief Sale wing was built

1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978

· The Ohio and Eastern · "Good News for Modern Man," a · "Praise God From Whom All · The "Living Bible" was published. · The Ohio Mennonite Mennonite Conference acted Bible translation became popular Blessings Flow" became known Conference was estab- to rescind all prior actions as the Mennonite Anthem. lished after the eastern relative to Oak Grove congregations affiliated with the Atlantic Coast Conference.

· First heart transplant · First person lands on the moon · I-77 opened · Vietnam War ended · Term "Personal Computer" was coined · Bill Wilson was student pastor - 1979 · Walter Dyck became interim pastor - 1982 · Wayne Detweiler was student pastor · Keith Lehman was student pastor · Steve Thomas was · Elsie Miller was student pastor · The church board initiated a · The Orie Gresser bequest presented a challenge · Oak Grove hosted the annual meeting of the Central District Conference. student pastor · Oak Grove celebrated their 160th anniversary. review of the 1966 decision. At a to make wise decisions on the use of the funds. A · The Oak Grove Endowment Fund was established with a sizeable gift from the Gresser bequest. congregational meeting, it was 4-year process followed to make decisions. · Sher Speigle became "The Changeless and the Changing: An Original · Stephen Ministry Program began Historical Pageant" was performed. Creative decided that baptism & member- associate pastor - 1992 ship be viewed as joint events. · Russel Mast became · Search for the Christ Child began Congregationalism, a history of Oak Grove by interim pastor - 1985 · The second Allen James O. Lehman, was published. · Church remodeled organ was purchased. · Merritt Welty was student pastor · Elsie Miller became · Jim Schrag interim pastor - 1993 · Elsie Miller became · Elsie Miller ordained became pastor · An elevator was installed as a associate pastor - 1982 for pastoral ministry - 1994 memorial for Orie & Ruth Gresser.

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992

· Fourth Sonnenberg Church built in Kidron

· Mt. Saint Helens erupted · World Wide Web established · East & West Germany unified · Berlin Wall collapsed · David Kerner became · Doug Zehr was called to be interim pastor - 2004 lead pastor. Miriam Zehr was · Norma Duerkson became associate Pastor - 2008 · A new Grotrian piano was called to be the administrative · Tonya Ramer was student pastor purchased for the sanctuary. · Oak Grove hosted the Central assistant to the pastor in · Dennis Schmidt District Conference annual meeting worship & education. · Oak Grove celebrated their 175th anniversary. "The became pastor - 2000 · Joel Short became Reflections of Seeking God," a pageant written by associate pastor - 2008 · Major renovation/addition Margaret Musser Baker was performed. Living Our · · Willard Shertzer became Study of human sexuality · The last church Name, by Jane Schmucker, was published. · Air Conditioning installed Oak Grove Eventsrenovation was transitional pastor - 2009 dedicated.

1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008

· The "Left Behind" book series by Tim · Mennonite Church USA formed · Swiss Mennonites & Reformed LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins was published. Churches mark reconciliation · Pope John II asked Muslims for forgiveness It sold 65 million copies through 2009 for suffering inflicted by Christians and focused on premillennialism. Several films, based on the books, were produced in the 2000s. Larger Church Events

· Internet communication · 9/11 attacks via computer terminals · Johannes Rau, President of Germany, asked for Israel's forgiveness for the Holocaust · Apartheid ended in South Africa · Nelson Mandela elected President World Events · Miriam Zehr's title was · Shoulder to Shoulder, changed to associate pastor Kenya Project of worship & education. · Oak Grove voted to remain a · Mission Ignition: member of the Ohio Conference · Celebrating Habitat House, Wooster and the Central District Conference. 200 years

2010 2012 2014 2016 2018

· Evana Network founded · Evangelist Billy Graham died

· Nelson Mandela died