Clinton-Shiawassee County MI Archives Church Records.....United Church of Ovid Copyright Date April 4, 2006
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OVID UNITED CHURCH HERITAGE
As written in 1976

THE UNTING OF THE TWO CHURCHES

The first recorded “suggestion” of uniting the Congregational and Methodist 
Churches occurred in 1919 when Methodist pastor, J.R. Wooten, wrote an 
interesting letter to the membership of the Congregational Church as follows:

To The Congregational Church,
Ovid, Michigan,

Greetings:

	Brethren: We are moved by a variety of considerations to enquire of you 
whether it is not opportune for our two churches to combine their forces in a 
working fellowship that would mean more to our constituent membership, and to 
the community life than is possible under the existing conditions.  Some of the 
considerations influencing us in this opinion are adduced below, and we submit 
them to your careful and godly judgement.

	I.  These are expensive days in which we live, both as regards private 
expenditures, the maintenance of religious and benevolent enterprises, and the 
necessary support of the government.  Is it not possible that in asking the 
good folks of this community to maintain our separate institutions we are 
imposing upon them an unjustifiable burden?

	II.  These are times when men available for the pulpit are less than 
the demands for such supply, which entails that many small communities are 
liable to be altogether without ministerial service.  Are we justified in 
keeping two such where one might suffice?

III  We enjoyed last winter a series of, to us, very agreeable union services, 
which served to impress us with the fact that the bonds which unite us are 
fully as strong as the barriers which separate us.  Is it not possible that for 
the community good we might continue to so associate without impairment of any 
essential interest.  Can we not lay aside whatever of personal, social, or 
ecclesiastical differences may have divided us, and be one in worship and 
service?

	IV.  We have a building adequate in every regard for all the interests 
of the community.  It is well equipped, in the best of repair, is splendidly 
adapted to meet all the needs of our town for all time to come.  As soon as 
pledges, due in two months, are paid in, every cent of indebtedness against the 
property will be paid, all necessary immediate repairs provided for, and the 
church left with a comfortable working balance for emergency needs.  Is the 
upkeep, maintenance and repair of a second plant a justifiable expenditure in 
these troubled days?

	V.  The matter of fuel promises to be a serious and pressing one the 
coming winter.  To heat and light two separate plants may be regarded as an 
unnecessary drain upon scanty supplies, unless the strongest necessity exists 
for so doing.  We have a large part of our fuel for the coming winter already 
in the basement and paid for.

	VI.  But more significant than all is the problem of the contribution 
the church is to make to the life of the community, in molding character and 
shaping ideals.  If church life degenerates into a scramble for existence 
rather than an attempt to serve,  it will be hard to justify it in these 
strenuous days.  We are losing many of our young men to the war.  We are losing 
many of those who stay at home because the conditions forced upon us by 
duplicated organizations makes it all but impossible properly to interest and 
train them.  If we could unite our forces we would be in a much better 
condition to do for the young life of the place what ought to be done.

	VII.  Other places are in large numbers trying out some such plan, and 
find it feasible.  The boys at the front are learning that the little 
distinctions of name and creed are not of eternal significance.  If we are to 
keep abreast of them and be ready for them as they return, we shall doubtless 
need to do the same. 

	VIII.  The fact that you are without a pastor makes the present seem to 
us an opportune time to broach the matter.  If you feel that you must go your 
separate way, we shall wish you well and God-speed.  If you could consider our 
proposition our hearts and our doors are open, and we shall be glad to have you 
appoint a committee to meet with a committee appointed by our body to confer 
with reference to this matter.  We make our proposition in the interest of 
economy and efficiency in church effort.  We are not unmindful of the strength 
and power of old names, old associations, and long established customs and 
methods.  It would not seem strange to us if you find it hard to surrender 
these.  If we must walk separately we trust we may do so in the spirit of unity 
and with the best of good will.  If some combination of forces can be agreed 
upon we are persuaded that it will be in the interest of that which we are both 
striving to accomplish, the realization of the Kingdom of God upon earth.

	IX.  Nothing herein said is to be understood as in any way referring to 
any property interests you may have.  Nor is anything here suggested as to the 
working method of whatever association may be adopted.

The foregoing paper was submitted to the Fourth Quarterly Conference of our 
church by our pastor, the Rev. J>R. Wooten.  It was carefully considered and on 
motion of Bro. N.A. Pooter, and with the second of Bro. E. B. Voorhees, and 
after all present had spoken on the proposal it was adopted without dissenting 
voice or vote.  We submit it to your consideration with this action of ours, in 
the hope that it may be found possible for us to find some common basis of work 
and worship.  We have authorized a committee to meet and confer with any 
similar committee you may see fit to appoint to carry out the spirit and intent 
of this paper.

			Signed by: J.H. Wooten, Pastor”

 It was not until twenty-three years later, however, in 1942 that all 
arrangements were completed and the two churches combined facilities and assets 
and united under one charter in the name of United Church of Ovid.

 Following is an article written at the time the churches united:

METHODISTS AND CONGREGATIONALISTS FORM UNITED CHURCH

Religious unity has taken a big step forward in Ovid.  The Methodist and 
Congregational Churches have merged their interests into one fellowship to be 
know as the United Church of Ovid, Michigan.

	The effect of this move should be to greatly strengthen the spiritual 
and social force of the church life in this community at a time when the utmost 
effectiveness is vitally needed from this source to strengthen the morale of 
all the people.  The best possible pastoral leadership and equipment should be 
obtainable in this way.  And the most efficient arrangement of local leadership 
and facilities should result when organized into one cooperating force.  The 
Church is hoping to be of the greatest possible help to the spiritual and 
social life of its fellowship and of the entire community in these critical 
times.  

	The leaders of this movement are proceeding carefully, making no 
arrangements that will be permanently binding until experience has amply proved 
their worth.  The organization of the United Church and all arrangements made 
by the new Board are provisional, and will be improved as experience warrants.  
And all suggestions to this end are cordially invited from the entire 
fellowship.  

	The United Church is maintaining its denominational connects.  All 
property is still subject to the control of the trustees of the mother 
denominations.  Likewise all denominational support will be met in the same 
amounts as previously.  It is felt that the Church will be stronger with 
wholesome relationship to the larger Church around the world.

	The united services will begin September 20 and will be held for the 
time being at the Congregational building at eleven o’clock.  Sunday School for 
the present will follow the worship service at 12:10.  It is hoped that 
eventually both buildings will be fully used in a well balanced program in 
which the Sunday work will be centered largely in one building and the week day 
work in the other. 

	The pastor of the United Church is the Rev. William Blanding, who come 
to the Methodist pastorate here from Belding last June.  Since his arrival he 
has been very busy calling on the people and directing the arrangements which 
have culminated in the new union.  He lives, with his family, in the parsonage 
at 141 West Front Street, and is anxious to be of service to the fellowship and 
the community.

	The organization of the new Church, set up by the combined boards of 
the former churches, has been carefully worked out to serve the full needs of 
the enterprise.  The executive officers of the new Board, who will serve as a 
steering committee for general policy, are ten in number, being four special 
officers and six general committee chairmen.  The special officers are: 
Chairman, Harold Beardslee; Secretary, Mrs. Floyd Betzer; Financial Secretary, 
Warner Briggs; Treasurer, Mrs. Ray Hamer.  The general committee chairmen are: 
Finance, Clifford Squires; Buildings, Jerry Hubbard; Worship, Mrs. Roy Gumaer; 
Education, A.D. Mosser; Social Life, Albert Ackley; Personal Work and Public 
Relations, Mrs. E.C. Smith.  These people were all members of the former 
boards, and most of the other members are serving upon one or another of the 
new committees.  

	The future of this movement will depend not only upon the efficient 
functioning of these officers, but also upon the cooperation of the entire 
membership and all the friends of the Church in the community.  Certainly a 
movement of this worth, which can well be of incalculable aide to the spiritual 
and social life of the entire community at this critical time, will receive the 
support it deserves from all the people.


A history of the United Church for the period between 1942 and 1967 is 
documented in a book put together by Rev. Gorden Spalenka who was pastor at the 
time of the 25th anniversary of the union in 1967.  


Additional Comments:
History originally written in 1976

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