Hooked on History: Series of calamities hit Scio churches in early 1970s

In the early 1970s, it seemed like disaster after disaster was hitting the churches in the Scio area.

In 1970, Scio United Methodist Church burned. Three years later, Hanover United Methodist Church, located in a hamlet 2.5 miles southeast of Scio, was destroyed in an arson fire. Three months after that, Ridge Presbyterian Church, located two miles from Hanover, was heavily damaged by the explosion of a hot water tank.

But all three churches recovered from these setbacks.

The Scio United Methodist Church is the oldest congregation in the community, organized in 1838, one year after the town was founded.

In 1905, members of the congregation decided to build a new church building. The cornerstone was laid that year, and the finished structure was dedicated on Jan. 6, 1907.

"The new church is built according to modern architecture, with a seating capacity of one thousand, composed of the main auditorium, seven Sunday school rooms, an assembly room and Epworth League chapel," the Cadiz Republican newspaper reported at the time.

"The building was under the supervision of Mr. W.D. Smith, of Pittsburgh, and cost $18,000, and to be able to dedicate such a church in our little town is enough to call forth just pride."

More than $8,800 was pledged during the dedication service to pay for the new church, including contributions from four generations of the same family — Robert Custer, his son, granddaughter and great-grandsons.

The building served the congregation until the afternoon of March 8, 1970, a Sunday. At 5:15 p.m. that day, Scio Assistant Fire Chief Richard Spiker, a member of the church, spotted the blaze.

The fire began in the attic over the Sunday school classrooms and spread throughout the building. The cause was undetermined.

Fire departments from Scio, Jewett, Bowerston, Cadiz and Perry Township in Carroll County were on the scene from 5:20 p.m. Sunday through the following Tuesday.

"Everything in the church was destroyed," the wife of Pastor Scott George told The T-R. "The only things firemen were able to save were the pulpit Bible and the personal Bible of Rev. George."

That evening, about 60 members of the church met for worship services in the parsonage.

"The building is gone, but the church is still here," Mrs. George said.

The loss was estimated at $200,000.

Shortly after the fire, plans were made for construction of a new church. Two sisters in Scio donated land for a new structure.

Church was held in a vacant storefront until the present church was built. The new building was consecrated Feb. 11, 1973. Two years later, the church was debt-free. In 1984 a new Sunday school addition was added. This addition was also debt-free.

Years after the fire, a relic from the old church resurfaced.

Dee Ann Horstman, who runs the Scio Historical Museum, was cleaning out her parents' home after they died.

"Down in our coal cellar, there was a piece of metal that I thought belonged to my dad and his garage," she said. "I picked it up and looked at it. It was the cross that was in the church."

The cross, which was once gold in color, sat by the pulpit in the sanctuary. Now charred black and twisted, it is on display in the Scio museum.

The Hanover congregation dates back to at least 1830, when ground was purchased for a building. Members met in several buildings before a large frame structure was built in 1872, according to a church history.

The building was discovered on fire on the night of Oct. 3, 1973, a Wednesday, soon after the centennial celebration of the church. Horstman said a man who had something against a member of the congregation was responsible for the fire. This man also burned several barns.

The day after the fire, members met to make plans for the future. The following Sunday, services were held by the burned church, with more than 100 people in attendance. District Superintendent Avery Butler delivered the sermon and conducted a communion service with the assistance of the Rev. Bruce Zimmerman.

Work soon went forward on construction of a new church. While it was building built, the congregation met at a storeroom in Scio.

The first service in the new building was held on Aug. 3, 1975, one year and 10 months after the fire.

Members of the Ridge Presbyterian Church met for worship in a red brick structure built in 1824, probably one of the oldest church buildings in this part of Ohio. The congregation was organized in 1818.

Nine men from the church have entered the ministry.

On Jan. 6, 1974, an explosion of a hot water tank almost destroyed the church building. It happened on a Sunday at around 1:30 p.m., so no one was in the building at the time.

"Through a lot of prayer and diligent work and money, of course, and with the skillful and faithful help of Mr. Robert Walker of Adena, the church was repaired and re-dedication services were held on May 2, 1976, with Lay Minister Bryon McElroy conducting the service," a history of the church said.

This era was a tough time for the residents of Scio.

But as Horstman said, "It brought folks together working for a common, meaningful goal. We are fortunate to have groups in our community who do the same. The Scio Street Fair this June was thanks to the efforts of the Scio Fire Department, the Scio American Legion, the Scio Sportsman’s Club and the Dining Fork Ruritans, to mention just a few."

Jon Baker is a reporter for The Times-Reporter and can be reached at jon.baker@timesreporter.com. 

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: History: Series of calamities hit Scio churches in early 1970s