Chardon United Methodist Church

Construction of the first church building, a wooden frame structure, was started in 1833.  It was dedicated in 1836. The building stood on Main Street, a little more than halfway from Center Street to Court Street.
 

Construction of the Sanctuary and associated areas was started in 1965.  The cornerstone from the previous church was incorporated into the structure.  It is near what was then the front door (south side of the Narthex).

The congregation participated in an unusual groundbreaking ceremony.  After a Sunday morning service, they put their hands to a long rope tied to a walking plow.  Reverend David Patton and Ed Hofstetter were on the plow handles.  Together they plowed a furrow down the hill where the Sanctuary was to be.

The altar area is dominated by a large wooden cross and a modern style stained glass Tree of Life, which reaches to the peak of the Sanctuary.  Joseph Shultz, a carpenter contractor, made the large wooden cross that hangs over the altar.  It was constructed from hand-hewn beams that came from a barn on land now occupied by the Bass Lake Tavern and Inn, 426 South Street.

The organ in the Sanctuary is one that was moved from the church on the square.  It was purchased in 1953, and some of the pipes from the previous organ purchased in 1910 were incorporated into the new organ at that time.  Several additions to the organ have been made since its installation in the Sanctuary, and it was extensively reconditioned in 1982.

The cornerstone was laid, and the Sanctuary was dedicated on August 7, 1966.

The decorative banners that hang below the side windows on the interior of the Sanctuary are a more recent addition.  They were hand woven by Nancy Hart.

George Kenyon handcrafted the new baptismal font, and it was dedicated in 2004.

The new addition was built in 1997 and 1998.  Fundraising began in early 1996.  The addition includes an office suite, a large general-use area (Hayden Hall), and a kitchen, as well as a large hallway and atrium.  The structure encloses an inner courtyard that is designated as a quiet place (the Meditation Garden).  The Education Wing was renovated as part of the project, and an elevator was installed.  It provides handicap access to all levels of the church.   A wheelchair lift was also installed beside the stairway between the new addition hallway and the Sanctuary.  Planning and building of the structure was done during the tenure of Reverend Marvin Brown. 

An Executive Campaign Committee was formed to direct fundraising.  The members were:

• Rev. Marvin Brown
• John T. Fitts – Chairman
• John Neilson – Finance/Auditor
• Dave Van Dusen – Advance Gifts
• Barry Bishop – Pacesetter Gifts
• Bob Emmons – Victory Gifts
• Ken Philips – Stewardship & Training
• Dwight Goss and Ruth Schneider – Celebration Event
• Joe Lewis – Spiritual Emphasis
• Jim Comer – Publicity & Publications
• Janet Loe – Administrative Support

The consulting firm of Ward, Dreshman, and Reinhardt, Inc. was retained to aid in fundraising.  Church members met in groups in members’ homes to discuss plans and the need for funds.  The fundraising campaign was dubbed Our Growth for His Work.
 
A Building Committee was formed to oversee the planning, renovation, and construction.  The members were:
Cathy Comerford-Nells – Chairman, Sally Bell, Mark Brody, Rev Marvin Brown, Bobea Cook, Terry Croyle, Donna Jolly, Paul Kenyon, Dale McCartney, Dave Weir, Don Welker, and Chuck Zitko.

A number of architectural firms submitted plans for the addition.  Most plans offered were not feasible because of the site limitations.  The only possible direction for expansion was to the west.  Stan Kaczmer Architects was selected as the architectural firm, and construction started in mid-1997.

Chuck Zitko designed the wrought-iron railing used on the stairs to the west door of the new addition and on the stairs to the Sanctuary.  The stylized fish are symbols that date to early Christianity. 

The new office suite provides space for a growing staff, as well as additional meeting space.  The new kitchen meets commercial standards.  It has the equipment and space to accommodate many willing hands.  Hayden Hall, with its 6840 square feet of space and a retractable stage, is used extensively for church and community affairs.  It is used for banquets, contemporary church services, rummage sales, youth events, athletic activities, and many other programs.

The new addition was dedicated on May 3, 1998.