A Brief History of The Sugar Grove Community Church
The original church at 6404 Sugar Grove Road, the Sugar Grove Church of the United Brethren in Christ, originated in June 1845 under the ministry of the circuit-riding preacher, Rev. John T. Vardaman, who gave forty years to the ministry. The first building was erected in 1849 at the cost of $1000. What fate befell of this structure is unknown, but a second meeting house was built in 1861.
In 1889, because of internal factions that could not be resolved, the United Brethren denomination was split on a national scale and divided into two separate bodies.
On all levels wounds were deep, families were divided, friendships were estranged or broken, and especially so in the local congregation because both contestants selected Sugar Grove as the legal test case to determine which group would retain the properties. The Wayne County Court verdict would be appealed to the State Supreme Court which upheld the decision that awarded all possessions to the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. (New Constitutional) The other side retained the same name adding, “Old Constitution.” The soon became known as Liberals and Radicals.
Shortly after the decision was reached the Radical brethren at Sugar Grove obtained a plot of land south of and immediately adjacent to the already existing church building (north-liberal), and erected their meeting house hardly a stone’s throw away. The Liberal church house burned and in 1893 was rebuilt on the same site.
For a half-century, the two congregations struggle alongside by side, not hating each other nor loving one another. Then on the bitterly cold, below-zero night or early morning of January 8, 1942, the Radical (south) church house burned to the ground. On the Sundays of January 11th and 18th, the congregation held services in the home of Clyde and Essie Oler. On the letter of a delegation from the remaining Church came an offering to share their facilities, and to work out a schedule whereby each group could use the building separately. The offer was accepted with the suggestion that both sides try worshipping together. Soon the idea of forming one church and the idea took shape and became a common goal. The trustees of both churches met and agreed to unite. Newton Oler and Clifford Oler from the north church and Paul Oler and Herlan Wilson from the south church circulated a petition for the supporting union of the congregations. The response was very good.
After many meetings and much discussion, three men were directed from each group to become trustees of the new church. They were Newton Gilmer, Walter Cain, and Lowell Harrison from the north church and Paul Oler, Hobart Durbin, and Herlan Wilson from the south church. April 16, 1942, they met following guidelines provided by the laws of the State of Indiana for such a purpose, officially organized Sugar Grove Community Church. There were 123 charter members.
The south building had been insured, and the insurance money was paid. The Radical Conference trustees brought suit for the money and were successful in gaining it. On August 24, 1942, Walter Cain, Newton, John Gilmer, Paul Oler, and Herlan Wilson went to Indianapolis to request that the Liberal Conference, which was then in session, to allow the new church to have the north church building and property. The request was presented and all five men felt that it was faring badly. Unexpectedly they were joined by the Rev. Henry Schlarb who, having been in the same room, had overheard the conversation. He questioned them at some length and decided their cause was just, and successfully championed their case. The Conference gave the new fold the building, cemetery, the parsonage, and wished them God’s blessing.
In November 1942 the first pastor, Dr. Floyd Head, was hired. A constitution was written and became effective on June 1, 1943.
Other pastors who have served this church are Rev. James Miller, Rev. Philip Johnson, Rev. Richard Norris, Rev. David La Shana, Rev. Willard Cromwell, Rev. Charles Mullendore, Rev. David Farrior, Rev. Mervyn Curran, Rev. Joel Wade, Rev. Seth Jackson, Rev. Hal Jester, and the present pastor, Rev. Max Knight. (Rev. Howard Addison, Rev. Tom Triggs, and currently Rev. Adam Rinehart) Much praise should be given to the wives of these men, for they have given unstintingly of their time and their very real abilities.
Also in 1942, the Ladies Aid from the North Church and the Women’s Missionary Association from the south church combined their memberships into a new organization, the Sugar Grove Missionary – Aid (SGMA) through the years have carried on an active program. Just recently (1973), a new group has been formed – the Evening Christian Homemaker’s Organization. (ECHO)
In 1950 a basement was constructed immediately south of the church building. The present structure then was moved onto is. In 1964, a new foyer was built, replacing the old one which was no longer usable.
The Sugar Grove Teens (SGTS or Sergeants) has been a vital organization since November 1968. A Pre-Teen Fellowship now called YKT’s (Youth Knowing Truth) has been very popular since the Fall of 1970. Two Bible Study groups met on Wednesday Evening; followed by choir practice.
At present, a Sunday School classroom addition is being built adjoining the west end of the church. It is planned to provide three new basement classrooms and three upstairs. A very great part of the work is being done by volunteer labor by the members themselves.
This is a very brief report on the way we have come. We look to the future with confidence that if we trust Him, God will still lead us on.
(This history was written by Mrs. Horace (Frances) Wilson, a charter member of Sugar Grove, on October 28, 1973)
“THE TREE”