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VAN BUREN
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
"Helping to spread the good
news about Jesus Christ!"
news about Jesus Christ!"
Who We Are
The Van Buren Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.). For over 169 years this congregation has served the
village of Van Buren, Findlay and the surrounding area. We are commited
to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ to a hurting world. A friendly,
intimate experience helping you to grow closer to God and others.
The Van Buren Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.). For over 169 years this congregation has served the
village of Van Buren, Findlay and the surrounding area. We are commited
to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ to a hurting world. A friendly,
intimate experience helping you to grow closer to God and others.
What We Believe
- Jesus Christ is Lord
- Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, salvation has
come into the world. - the Bible is God's written word and a guide for each of us.
- As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to minister to the world
around us.
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We are a part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). More locally we
are a part of the Synod of the Covenant and Maumee Valley
Presbytery. For more information about these levels of the
Presbyterian Church, follow the links below:
Maumee Valley Presbytery
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
The Synod of the Covenant
are a part of the Synod of the Covenant and Maumee Valley
Presbytery. For more information about these levels of the
Presbyterian Church, follow the links below:
Maumee Valley Presbytery
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
The Synod of the Covenant
A Brief History
In 1837 the Reverend George Van Eman organized two groups of
Presbyterians, the Pleasant Hill Society in Portage Township and the
Ebenezer Society in Cass Township. These two organizations met in
the homes of members, and school buildings until 1843 when they
united and formed the West Union Church.
The first church edifice was made of logs and located three miles west
of Van Buren on the Ridge Road (now SR 613 West). This building
was torn down and a larger log structure built in 1846, one mile east of
Van Buren on what is now SR 613 East. This building was eventually
moved to the D.B. Kagy farm.
In the spring of 1856, construction began on a third building for the
congregation. It was erected on the church's present site and
constructed of brick made almost on site. A brick yard operated by
Sam Howard, located just outside of Van Buren at the creek west of
town, provided the brick. This building was dedicated in 1858.
During the years many improvements and additions were made to this
structure. The first major addition, a large fellowship room and kitchen,
was added on the west side of the building. A second major addition, a
kitchen, social room, and restrooms, was added across the rear of the
building in 1955-56. This addition was dedicated on January 20, 1957.
On Sunday, December 27, 1981, this building was destroyed by fire.
With the help of our brothers and sisters in Van Buren and our sister
churches in Maumee Valley Presbytery, and congregational fund
raisers, a new building was built and dedicated in 1983. The Women
of the Church contributed to the fund raising by making and selling
cheese spread. It has been said that the bricks of this building are
held together by cheese spread.
In January 2005, the Rev. Dr. James E. Friedmeyer was called as
pastor for the Van Buren Presbyterian Church. We have been
spreading God's love since 1837, and we look forward to many more
years of service to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to our community.
In 1837 the Reverend George Van Eman organized two groups of
Presbyterians, the Pleasant Hill Society in Portage Township and the
Ebenezer Society in Cass Township. These two organizations met in
the homes of members, and school buildings until 1843 when they
united and formed the West Union Church.
The first church edifice was made of logs and located three miles west
of Van Buren on the Ridge Road (now SR 613 West). This building
was torn down and a larger log structure built in 1846, one mile east of
Van Buren on what is now SR 613 East. This building was eventually
moved to the D.B. Kagy farm.
In the spring of 1856, construction began on a third building for the
congregation. It was erected on the church's present site and
constructed of brick made almost on site. A brick yard operated by
Sam Howard, located just outside of Van Buren at the creek west of
town, provided the brick. This building was dedicated in 1858.
During the years many improvements and additions were made to this
structure. The first major addition, a large fellowship room and kitchen,
was added on the west side of the building. A second major addition, a
kitchen, social room, and restrooms, was added across the rear of the
building in 1955-56. This addition was dedicated on January 20, 1957.
On Sunday, December 27, 1981, this building was destroyed by fire.
With the help of our brothers and sisters in Van Buren and our sister
churches in Maumee Valley Presbytery, and congregational fund
raisers, a new building was built and dedicated in 1983. The Women
of the Church contributed to the fund raising by making and selling
cheese spread. It has been said that the bricks of this building are
held together by cheese spread.
In January 2005, the Rev. Dr. James E. Friedmeyer was called as
pastor for the Van Buren Presbyterian Church. We have been
spreading God's love since 1837, and we look forward to many more
years of service to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to our community.
What is a Presbyterian?
Anyone who can be a Christian can be a Presbyterian!
In the New Testament of the Bible, presbuteros means "elder," and
refers to the custom of choosing leaders and advisors from among the
wisest members of the church.
Presbyterians are a group of Protestants whose church is founded on
this concept of democratic rule under the Word of God.
The Presbyterian denomination is a form of Christianity democratically
organized to embrace the faith common to all Christians.
All that is required to be a Presbyterian is to:
Like other Christians, Presbyterians believe in:
*from About Being Presbyterian, © 1974 Channing L. Bete Co., Inc.
Anyone who can be a Christian can be a Presbyterian!
In the New Testament of the Bible, presbuteros means "elder," and
refers to the custom of choosing leaders and advisors from among the
wisest members of the church.
Presbyterians are a group of Protestants whose church is founded on
this concept of democratic rule under the Word of God.
The Presbyterian denomination is a form of Christianity democratically
organized to embrace the faith common to all Christians.
All that is required to be a Presbyterian is to:
- Confess the Christian faith.
- Trust in Christ as our forgiving Savior.
- Promise to follow Christ and Christ's example for living.
- Commit yourself to attend church and to become involved in its
work.
Like other Christians, Presbyterians believe in:
- God--the Creator of the universe
- Christ--the incarnation of God on earth
- Holy Spirit--the presence of God in the world and in the believer
- The Church--a universal company of Christ's followers
- Forgiveness of Sin--made possible by the crucifixion of Jesus
- Life Everlasting--shown by the resurrection of Jesus
- The Bible--the inspired Word of God.
*from About Being Presbyterian, © 1974 Channing L. Bete Co., Inc.