|
Sunday, December 23, 1917, was a day long remembered in the history of Springfield Township, for it marked the dedication and consecration of the Ontario Community Methodist Episcopal Church. It was an event that had been long looked forward to by the residents of the community.
Between the years 1822-1837, there were seven log constructed buildings in which many of our early pioneer families worshiped. In 1837, a church was erected at the present site of the Ontario No. 1 Fire Station. Several of the meeting houses closed the doors to attend the newly constructed frame building known as the Methodist Church, originally part of the Galion circuit. Our traveling minister served three churches, Ontario, Blooming Grove and Steam Corners. During this period of time there were three Churches in the small village, Presbyterian, 1850, United Presbyterian, 1851 and the Methodist. All were struggling for existence.
In 1901 the Presbyterian united with the United Presbyterian Church under the Presbyterian Synod. In 1915, during the fall conference, two important decisions were presented by Rev. Harrison and the lay members, and approved by Rev. Philpott, District Superintendent. The first was the appointment of a full-time resident pastor. The second, the unification of the United Presbyterian Church and ourMethodist Church.
On December 15, Mr. Sawhill, an elder of the United Presbyterian Church, presented their building as a gift for the project to the congregation and to Rev. Kent, our newly appointed minister. It stood on what is presently the eastern corner of the Ontario Cemetery. The building was moved by horse-drawn power to the present site. Several rooms were added, other improvements made, and December 23, 1917, marked the dedication and consecration of the Ontario Methodist Church.
After twenty years the increasing population and the expanding community activities made an enlarged church imperative. A remodeling program took place. Additional frontage was built for the sanctuary, while to the rear of the Chancel was the study, council room and vestry. Several classrooms were added, the dining room was enlarged and the kitchen was modernized. The new Hammond organ was a community gift as a memorial in honor of those who died and served in World War II. The dedication service was held April 20, 1947 under the direction of Rev. McNary. As the church membership increased, it became evident that an educational building was needed. Seven classrooms, a fellowship hall and a church school office were added, completed and dedicated on April 27, 1958.
The next project was the Giffin home constructed on Rock Road in 1961. By 1970 the congregation had increased to justify the hiring of an associate minister. Therefore, a need for a second parsonage, which was built adjacent to the Giffin property. Our present house of worship was consecrated on January 8, 1968. This structure has seating capacity of four hundred, a sanctuary which features mobility, flexibility of the furnishings including furniture, organ console and seating. The physical structure is designed to enable people to experience fellowship and love. Due to the expansion of industry, the building of new allotments, the sites of the schools, and our United Methodist Church, a nucleus was present for future development. To provide further community and school relations, the congregation planned for new educational and social facilities.
In 1989 an addition was made that included Giffin Hall, with a great room that can seat 200 and can also be used as a recreational facility, the Centrum, two offices with a work area for copiers and storage, a kitchen, choir room and new restroom facilities. In 1999 a renovation began of the existing Sunday School rooms. In 2000, another renovation took place in the Sanctuary, sound system, sanctuary carpet, new furniture and altar. In 2002 our most recent renovation and addition took place. The Community Room, crib and toddler nursery, prayer room and hallway with new entrance were added.
The Community of Ontario came as an attempt to build a settlement in the woods on the trail leading from Mansfield to Bucyrus. At the same time, 1834, New Castle was founded. The combination of these two towns, plus short extensions both east and west, became the unincorporated Village of Ontario, as it was known until 1958. After General Motors located its stamping plant in Springfield Township, residents voted to incorporate the village largely as it exists today, a major annexation since that time being in the area of Walker Lake Road, both north and west from Home Road. A large and prosperous agricultural area in the area immediately west of Ontario makes a significant contribution to the region's economy. Access to Ohio and national markets is provided to Ontario resident, businesses and industries by an excellent transportation network. US 30, a limited access four-lane highway, runs through Ontario along with SR 309 and 314. I-71 is 8 miles to the east. Richland County population 128,852, City of Ontario 5,222 and the form of government is Mayor and City Council. Parks and recreational facilities include 4 village owned parks, Marshall Park, Stowell Park, Spring Village Park,Sunset Park and the Nature Park currently under development. We get our water from the City well, treatment capacity 2 million gallons per day. Conrail provides weekday switching and our area is served by over 40 inter and intra-state truck lines, with several terminals in the area. Mansfield Lahm Airport is 5 miles to the northeast, with two runways handling an Air National Guard Training Unit and many general aviation aircraft with a Federally operated control tower.
Ontario residents have many cultural and recreational opportunities in the area. The Mansfield Symphony Orchestra gives many performances each season and offers a series of children's concerts. The Mansfield Fine Arts Guild offers art instruction to local students and exhibits throughout the year.Richland County's two ski slopes, Snow Trails and Clear Fork, afford a challenge to both the beginner and the expert skier. Education opportunities are continually expanding. In addition to a fine public school system, advance education can be pursued at the Ohio State University's Mansfield Campus--situated on a 600-acre campus in northeastern Ohio. It is growing and offers two-year associate degree programs and a four-year baccalaureate program in elementary education. The North Central State College shares the campus and offers two-year, post secondary technical and associates degree programs. Excellent shopping is available at Westfield Shopping Town Richland Mall. Local industries are Emerson, Pepsi Cola, Gorman-Rupp, significant industrial growth at Mansfield Lahm Airport. General Motors announced that the stamping plant in Ontario would close in 2010. We anticipate a great challenge in our community with this closing, affecting not only Ontario residents, but alsoRichland County, as many jobs are lost, people are transferred and incomes are reduced. We have excellent medical facilities at MedCentral.
|
