Zion Reformed Church - Winesburg, OH - This Old Church on Waymarking.com

A plaque mounted in front of the church in 1930 is a tribute to some of the early pioneers who settled this region. Many immigrants from Germany and Switzerland, bringing their Reformed Lutheran faith, settled in central Ohio, which is now the heart of the states flourishing Amish communities.

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TO THE MEMORY OF
THE FIRST SETTLERS AND PIONEERS
OF WINESBURG, OHIO
WHO CAME HERE TO CONQUER
A WILDERNESS. THEY POSSESSED
LOFTY COURAGE, HIGH IDEALS, RUGGED
CHARACTER AND STAUNCH VIRTUES
FIRST SETTLEMENT MADE IN SPRING OF
1827

BORN 1803 1862 1796 1799 1782 1797 1787 1795 1790 1817 1819

REV. WILLIAM SMITH JOHN MICHAEL SMITH FREDERICK HAPPOLD DR. AUGUST SCHEURER JOHN VALENTINE STAHL CHRISTIAN SMITH PETTER SCHALLIOLL, SR. ULRICH BLASER REV. DANIEL CRANZ DR. CARL PETER NICHOLAS F. JOSS

DIED 1839 1866 1883 1839 1854 1872 1868 1872 1876 1882 1886

ERECTED BY
THE WINESBURG REUNION ASSOCIATION
AUGUST 21, 1930

Here are some excerpts of the church history from a document found on Roots Web:

"Holmes County was settled in the decade between 1820 and 1830, and many German and Swiss immigrants began moving into the eastern portion of the county, inspired by the beauty of the rolling hills, the huge trees, the crystal springs and the rich soil.

History credits four young "bachelors", arriving from Philadelphia, PA., with being the first to settle on the site where "Weinsburg" was officially laid out in 1832. OnSeptember 3, 1832, a meeting was held for the purpose of discussing a plan for a church. Land was donated by Christian (Schmidt) Smith for a church and cemetery, at the present site.

The cornerstone for the first church building was laid on October 11, 1833, but it was not completed and dedicated until 1841. Rev. Colloredo had been elected to be the church's first pastor, and served until 1836. He was succeeded by the Rev. Daniel Cranz, who pastored the growing congregation for 32 years.

In 1869, the congregation voted to build a new structure on the site of the old. During construction, services were held in the school. About 4,000 visitors were present for the dedication on Sept. 24th and 25th, 1871. The new building served the congregation well for many years. A major renovation in 1949 expanded the basement to include classrooms, a kitchen and restrooms. In 1955 the sanctuary was renovated, adding stained glass windows. Since that time the steeple has been replaced."

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