The History of Peace - God's Vision Past, Present and Future! |
Peace Lutheran Church, Galion, Ohio
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The history of Peace Lutheran Congregation dates back to the time when the part of the
state known as Crawford County was first settled. This territory was a Wyandot Indian
Reservation until 1817, at which time the boundaries of the reservation were
Switzerland, both Lutheran and Reformed, until Crawford County assumed that German
The first church in Galion was organized in 1831 with Rev. John Stauch as pastor, by a
group of Lutheran and Reformed families. Their first meetings were held in the log
schoolhouse and the records of this first church, as recorded by Rev. Stauch, are now in
the possession of the First Lutheran Church. It states at the beginning of his record book
that "This church interested (Kirchenwesen) was commenced in the year of Christ 1831."
Christ (formerly The First Reformed Church). This building was destroyed by fire in 1834.
The third log schoolhouse was built on the Riblet site just north of the Square on Market
Street, and it was here that the first Sunday School was organized in 1838.
In 1840, the first Union Brick Church was built on the southeast corner of North Union
and Church Streets, diagonally opposite the Union Green Cemetery. The cemetery and
the church grounds were donated to the congregation worshiping in the building. It was a
roomy, almost square structure with a gallery on three sides and the pulpit was just inside,
between the two doors. An inscription on the building read "Imanuels Kirche 1840." This
building was razed in 1867 and some of the bricks used in the First Lutheran Church.
In 1845, the Rev. Johannes Krauss, who as the German Lutheran pastor at Bucyrus, Ohio,
led the combined German Lutheran and German Reformed elements out from this
original Union Brick Church, leaving the English Lutheran in full possession, who bought
out the combined Germans' interest in the church but not in the cemetery. The combined
Germans, after their withdrawal, held ordinary services in the old schoolhouse on the
North Market Street, but on special occasions like Communion or Confirmation, services
were held in the first frame Methodist Church on West Main Street. This arrangement
continued about two years.
From a joint record book dated January 11, 1847, we learn of the beginnings of the
"Friedens Kirche" (Peace Church)m, which was the second Union Brick Church in Galion,
and in this case, a union of the German Lutheran and Reformed elements which had
withdrawn from the first Union Brick Church in 1945. This building was dedicated on
October 30, 1847, and was a one - story brick building located on our present church site
with the main entrance on the east side and stood about halfway between South Market
Street and the alley on the west. The interior of this old church was equipped with wooden
benches with backs for the adults and benches without backs for the children.
On May 31, 1847, after organizing and adopting a constitution, the German Lutherans
received their charter. This was the official beginning of Evangelical Lutheran Peace
Congregation. On July 13, 1858, the property partnership with the Reformed
Congregation was peaceably dissolved, thereby becoming sole
owners of the church.
In 1874 it was decided to erect a new and larger church.
The old Union Church, which Peace Congregation had bought,
was moved to the rear of the church lot on the site now occupied
by our present Parish House, and this was used until 1935 as a
meeting place for the various organizations and for Sunday
School purposes. This old building was then torn down to make
way for our Parish House.
The first pipe organ in Galion was installed at Peace in 1890
was dedicated on October 30, 1904. The present organ, a 22 rank Wicks, was dedicated on
October 29, 1967.
Another addition to worship at Peace and the community in 1947 was a 32 -bell genuine
carillon dedicated on June 1. The J.C. Deagan, Inc., Carillon consists of 32 unbreakable
tubular bells with a scale range from C to G, chromatic, two and a half octaves, and may
be played in a five part harmony. It is today one of a few maintained and working Deagan
Carillon's in the U.S.A. The carillon weighs nine tons located in a belfry and does not use
any electronic amplification to project its sound.
During Rev. George Mochel a new pipe organ was installed with the pipes in the church
balcony where they remained until 1904 when the second organ was purchased and
installed. The English language was first introduced at this time too, and the debt retired
in 1883.
On August 2, 1925, a special anniversary service was held celebrating the 50th
Anniversary of the Church dedication. In 1929, the women were extended the right to
vote in congregational meeting. November 11, 1928 a
re-dedication of the church took place after it had undergone
extensive alterations and improvements both to the exterior
and interior of the building. This included heating, carpeting,
new rest rooms, new lighting and chandeliers.
All worship services were conducted in English in 1939. The
organ chimes were installed in 1943.
Friday, September 25, 1987, a fire was discovered in the Parish
House. On Sunday, September 27, the Sanctuary was filled with
members of Peace. The congregation received a loan for not
only rebuilding but also and to supplement the insurance
reimbursement. On November 20, 1994 the loan was repaid.
Today this thriving and dynamic congregation is increasingly aware of its call to
Discipleship and continues to relate to the neighborhood and community it has always
been located. Today it continues to meet the ever changing needs in Galion and the
surrounding area with a dynamic ministry reaching out to the world as far away with a
current missionary in Egypt., and previous in Slovakia. While doing so, members of Peace
are actively engaged in supporting community agencies that are caring for people in the
surrounding area.
