The lawn behind the Church of Christ on July 12, 1953.
January 16, 2013
I don’t know if anyone has ever given you a copy of this photo.
It was taken on the lawn behind the Church of Christ on July 12, 1953. I believe it has historical significance for several reasons. I doubt that there is another photo from the 20th century that so clearly shows so many Greenwich/Greenwich Township residents. Also, to the best of my knowledge this is the largest regular attendance that any church in the area has ever had.
Some historical background: The pastor Robert Collitt (on the right toward the rear) and his wife Flo (near the right front corner) came to the church in 1949. They were extremely gifted, talented and dedicated. Under their leadership the church moved from affiliation with the Disciples of Christ to being, what would be called today, an independent Bible Church. The attendance soared in four years from around 50 to the number you see in this photo.
In 1958 the Collitts accepted a position with Youth for Christ International as Overseas Deputation Director. Then in 1961 the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches invited him to be their National Evangelist. In 1963 he and Flo were called to pastor the Grace Brethren Church of Hagerstown, Maryland. That church quickly became one of the three largest Grace Brethren Churches in America. Flo died in 1974 and Bob in 1983.
The Greenwich church continued as an independent Bible Church under two more pastors: Neil Ross from 1958 to 1962 and Daniel Humerichhouser from 1962 until 1965. After Daniel left the church affiliated with the Church of Christ movement.
The photo has other historical significance. About 10 of the young people shown in that photo went into some form of ministry in the years ahead so that the eternal destiny of many thousands of people is shown potentially in this photo: Don Ropp (who is hidden in the photo), Marge Cherry, her brother Ralph, Larry and Lee McCullough Chester and Carol (Morrow) Weigle, my wife Susan Weigle, my brother Don, and myself. (I am on the far left next to Danny Wilson.) There is a sad footnote to this photo. The attendance was never quite this high again after 1953. I think I know the reason. In the fall of 1953 there was a bitterly fought election in Greenwich/Greenwich Township called a “local option”. Should alcoholic beverages be made illegal? The move actually began in the Methodist Church and was picked up and fervently carried on by the Church of Christ. In retrospect this can be seen as a great mistake. Some people strongly resented this and saw it as an attack on their freedom and held a long standing grudge against the church. While very few adults stopped coming to church it seems that a number of people would not let their children come anymore.
I hope this bit of history is both interesting and helpful to you.
Sincerely,
Russell and Susan Enzor
2017 GAHS Bicentennial Opening Ceremony – June 29, 2017
2017 Bicentennial Queen Pageant
All pictures by Erica Stevens
Skye Mills, Runner-Up & Kennedy Risner, 2017 Bicentennial Queen
GAHS Opening Ceremony Greenwich Area Bicentennial
Emcee Clark Hunter at the start of the Opening Ceremony
Royce Johnston offering the Invocation
Eric Robinson offering the Scripture Reading
Ron Zoz – History of the Firelands
Melissa Hartley spoke of her 6th Great Uncle and his first land deed recorded in Greenwich Township – October 30, 1817
Greenwich Mayor Wes Sallee welcomed the crowd and introduced State Rep. Dick Stein
Ohio Representative Mr. Richard Stein presenting a Resolution from the Ohio House of Representatives
The Lamoreaux Sisters – singing in the Rain
Recognition of World War II Vets
Recognition of Honorary Grand Marshall, Mr. Sylbert Strimple
Roger Blair presentation of the Senior Bicentennial Queen: Julia Blair
Memories of Greenwich:
Roberta Rheinbolt Ronk Greenwich High School Grad 1958
Memories of Greenwich:
Martha Lee Underwood Grimm, Greenwich High School Grad 1955
GAHS BiCentennial Program Book Fundraiser –
GAHS BiCentennial History Book Fundraiser
We are in the process of publishing a book to commemorate the settling of Greenwich Township. We would like to include your business and family.
Click here to print the GAHS BiCentennial Fundraiser Form – Businesses and Families can print this form – Fill out the information – Bring this form, attached pictures, logos, etc. and the fee by January 15, 2017 to the Greenwich Library – ask for Chris Mills;
To include a simple Memorial listing of your family on the Family Page of the GAHS BiCentennial Book, on a plain piece of paper write the names (using Capitol Letters) to be memorialized (for example: Mortimer Maynard 1858 – 1922) and place in an envelope with your name and address as the return address. Include a check made out to GAHS for $10 for each name to be memorialized. (5 names = $50) All listings must be received by January 15, 2017. Drop off or send all memorial listings to:
Chris Mills, Secretary GAHS, Greenwich Library, 4 New Street, Greenwich, OH 44837
Need more information call:
Charles Magill – (419) 896-3298
or Clark Hunter – (419) 752-1404
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