HISTORY

The First One-Hundred and Eighteen Years

color photo of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Covedale This timeline was printed in the worship service program for Unity Sunday, September 22, 2002.

Oct. 1883	Ten men from the Price Hill area meet with Presbytery officials at Peter Neff's house to plan a Presbyterian Church on the hill.
Nov. 1883	Westminster Presbyterian Church is chartered and recognized by the Presbytery of Cincinnati. Twenty-two members are on the rolls.
March 1884	Rev. Josiah Priest is called as the first pastor of the 58 member congregation that meets at Library Hall on Grand Ave.
Feb. 1887	Construction begins on the new church building at corner of Price and Grand Aves.
Oct. 1889	The church building is completed without any debt remaining. Membership grows to 220.
1885-1941	Nine ministers serve Westminster's congregation during these years.
June 1914	Elberon Presbyterian Church is organized and meets at the old Elberon Golf Clubhouse.
April 1941	Westminster and Elberon Presbyterian churches merge, retaining Westminster's name. Rev. John Cowan, pastor of Elberon Church agrees to continue as pastor of the combined churches. Congregation meets at Sunset Theater (now Glenway Chevrolet) for 2 1/2 years until new church can be built.
Dec. 7, 1941	New church building ideas put on hold due to pressures of World War II.
Jan. 1943	The congregation moves to a building on Overlook Ave.
June 1949	Rev. Walter Wolf becomes pastor of Westminster.
Jan. 1950	New church site at corner of Cleves Warsaw Pike and Nancy Lee Lane is purchased.
April 27, 1952	First service is held in the new sanctuary.
1954	With over 500 in the membership, two Sunday morning church services are created.
1958	Plans for a new Christian Education wing and chapel begin.
April 1960-66	Rev. John Sharick serves as first Assistant Pastor.
Dec. 1960-66	Dedication of the Christian Education Wing takes place. Membership reaches 1,000.
March 1961	The Chapel stained glass window is installed. The window was originally created for the Second German Presbyterian Church. It was displayed at Drake Hospital from 1937-1960.
1963	Manse #1 is left to church by the Niedermeyer Estate. The Wolf family occupies residence. The Manse was later sold in the 1980's.
October 1967	Pastor Wolf and wife, Blanche, retire to New Mexico after 18 years of service.
March 1968	Dr. Ernie Bigelow becomes pastor. Throughout his pastorate, programs flourish. The two year Bethel Bible series is completed by 212 members.
1970	Rev. Grant Lowe is hired as Associate Pastor.
1974	Easter Cross Decoration tradition is established.
1978	Michael McDowell becomes Associate Pastor. Youth Club organized.
June 1981	Dr. Bigelow and wife, Ellen, leave their church home of 12 years and retire. Membership is at 692.
Aug. 1982	Rev. Dr. Richard Kranzley is installed as pastor. "Shared leadership" and "equipping laity for ministry" strikes a responsive chord with many in the congregation.
Oct. 1983	Westminster turns 100 years old. Official Centennial Celebrations take place throughout the year under Dr. Kranzley's leadership. The Centennial Cross & Steeple, a gift from the Memorial Board and the Walter Beall family, is added to the church.
1984-85	Rev. Richard Bevans serves as Interim Pastor. Note: For a more detailed description of Westminster's history to this date, please read Emily Allen's compilation found in the pamphlet titled "One Hundred Years" 1883-1983.
1993	Rev. Jeremiah Schenck becomes the 15th pastor of Westminster. Worship is updated to include contemporary music and multi-media. Membership stands at 245. Jed brings a youthful vitality to many facets of the church's ministries and programs.
1995	Position of the Director of Christian Education is formed. Lucas Pina is first to fill the role followed by Stephanie Saffer in August 1997. Children and adult programs begin to thrive.
Sept. 1997	Andre Strydom, Director of Music is hired. The music ministry reaches a new level of significance in worship and programming.
1999	Rev. Schenck and the Session begin discussions concerning the future of Westminster.
2000	Rev. Schenck learns of the St. John's UCC situation and their interest in a merger. The Merger Task force is organized to explore possibilities.
Dec. 2000	Mindful of Presbyterian procedures concerning merged churches, Rev. Schenck informs the congregation he has accepted a call to a church in Colorado.
March 2001	Rev. LeRoy Haynes serves as Interim Pastor.
October 7, 2001	Westminster votes in favor of the merger with St. John's UCC.
Jan. 2002	Rev. Henry Marksberry serves as Supply Pastor for six months.
July 2002	Rev. Dr. Kathy Barlow Westmoreland is called as the Designated Pastor of St. John's Westminster Union Church.

Please read about the merger and how we're making history today in the section titled Union Church History.

St. John's Westminster Union Church
1085 Neeb Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio 45233
(513) 347-4613