Mars United Methodist Church, Mars, PA


*Mars United Methodist Church*

	*Rev. Timothy Bowser, Pastor* A brief history of MUMC In the year 1888, a group of five persons met in the home of Mr. and Mrs. David Wilson in Mars (Overbrook at that time) for the purpose of organizing a Methodist Church. Those present were Mr. Joseph Borland, Mrs. William Clark, Mr. William Gilliland and Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. They decided to hold church services temporarily in a storeroom on Railroad Street. In early 1889 the Reformed Presbyterian congregation loaned the use of their building to the group for worship services. The Rev. J.J. Davis became their first pastor in a three-point circuit with Salem and Dutilh. The first minister to have a full-time station appointment was the Rev. Humes in 1911. Since a building loan was needed for services, they drew up plans for a frame structure. Mr. Gilbert Hooks donated the ground which was located on the east side on Railroad Street on what is now Spring Street. On May 15, 1891, the building was dedicated. It had a seating capacity of about one hundred and cost $800. The first organization to be formed in the church was the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society with an enrollment of forty one members. In 1893, when the Rev. Hunter was pastor, an event occurred that we should not pass over lightly. There was a revival service that lasted six weeks. It was held in the homes as well as the church. The little church was "crowded to its utmost" at these services, and it was remembered as "a time of a wonderful outpouring of the Spirit of God". Ninety six souls were born again and added to the church membership. Then in 1896, the congregation decided to build a parsonage. From Mr. Samuel Crowe, they purchased a lot on the corner of Lincoln and Barr Streets. The house was built at a cost of $1600. In 1902, the first church building became inadequate and plans were made for a larger building. The town was growing to the west side of the railroad so ground was purchased on the corner of Pittsburgh Street and Lincoln Avenue. The first building was razed and all available material was used in the construction of the new building. During the time of the erection of the new building, arrangements were made with the Free Methodist congregation (now St. Kilian's Catholic Church) for the use of their church for services. On May 10, 1903, while the Rev. A.H. Davies was pastor, the present building was dedicated. The church was built at a cost of $5,500 and was dedicated free of debt--a remarkable accomplishment at that time. At this dedication a piano replaced the reed organ. During the following pastorate of the Rev. J.A. Younkins in 1906, the Ladies Aid Society was organized. This group proved to be a great financial help to the church. In 1923 (20 years later), more seating capacity was needed in the church. A balcony, planned and financed by the A.C. Irvine Bible Class, was added and dedicated December 18, 1923, during the pastorate of Dr. N.F. Richards. Four years later in 1927, when the Rev. S.E. Brown was pastor, the fourth building program was started, and as a result much needed space for children's Sunday School and more adequate dining room and kitchen were added. This same year, the pipe organ, a gift of J.C. Trees, was installed. In 1939, after the unification of the Methodist Episcopal Churches North and South and the Methodist Protestant Church, the women's organizations in our church were asked to unite. They did so, and the Women's Society of Christian Service was formed. This occurred during the pastorate of the Rev. W.T. Hartley. Through the following years a small debt overshadowed the church. However, on January 7, 1945, while the Rev. E.L. Parks was the minister, the payment of the mortgage was celebrated with a mortgage burning service. In 1949, Dr. F.W. Stephenson became the minister of our church and, during his six year pastorate, an entire new Moeller organ was installed, and the parsonage located at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Barr Street was sold to Mr. George Cope. Then Dr. and Mrs. Stephenson moved to the house and lot at the corner of Arch Street and Lincoln Avenue which was bought from the Charles Cohen Estate for $10,000. In 1955, when the Rev. George Shultzaburger was the minister, the entire sanctuary was redecorated. New carpet and lighting fixtures were installed. During the following pastorate of Rev. T.D. Stewart in 1959, the property adjoining the parsonage was purchased from the Glenn Mincer's. The house on this property became known as the Arch House, and was used as an educational building. In 1973, the Women's Society of Christian Service became the United Methodist Women, and this organization has continued to be a strong spiritual and financial support for the church. In the same year, during the ministry of Rev. Glenn Kohlhepp, the Arch House was razed and the fifth and most extensive building program was launched. Plans were prepared to build a new educational unit. In 1975, this useful and well-planned building was completed at a cost of $171,684 and was called The Educational Building. The children's Sunday School then expanded into a new and much appreciated home. We must include another notable event that occurred at this time. The church received as a gift the attractive house and lot adjoining the church on Pittsburgh Street. In April 1976, a dedicatory service was held for this new parsonage. This deeply appreciated gift was given "to the Glory of God in the loving memory of M.Kline and Olive O. Jordan." It will indeed be a remembrance for us of their Christian stewardship. Since 1975, the Educational Building has become multi-purpose; and meetings of all church organizations, Bible studies, wedding receptions and anniversaries of church members have been held there. Civic organizations also have enjoyed the use of the building. These include "Tiny Tots" sponsored by the Y.W.C.A., the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, and the Brownies. On November 13, 1980, during the ministry of the Rev. Wm. Hess, this Educational Building was completely paid for, and we happily celebrated that fact by burning the mortgage. May this building always be used in our Lord's service and to His glory, and may the Lord unite and prosper His people! In 1981, under the leadership of Rodney E. Smith, several renovations were completed in the sanctuary building. The first project was the completion of the paneling and carpeting in the social room. The nursery was moved to expand to two nurseries in the Educational Building. A folding door replaced a wall to make space for additional dining and a church school class. In 1982, the parsonage kitchen was renovated and new storm windows installed on the sanctuary building. In 1983, a van was purchased at $6,200 and was paid off in five months. This van is used for a van ministry, bringing people to Sunday School and Worship. In 1985 the Trustees began a parking lot program purchasing the Skiles house on the lot at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Arch Street. The property was purchased for $45,000. The house was torn down and the parking facility completed. The lot between the Educational Building and the Sanctuary Building was enlarged and leveled. In 1986, several windows were installed on the parsonage and additional windows installed in 1987. The church kitchen was renovated in 1987 and new cabinets and added work space installed. In 1986, the renovation of the sanctuary took place. The old pews were auctioned and pews were purchased from the Ames United Methodist Church. They were stripped and refinished, carpeting was installed, walls were painted and the balcony completely renovated. A new roof was installed on the parsonage. The outside of the sanctuary building was painted. In 1987, from a gift to the church, new carpeting, wallpaper, paint and draperies were placed in the parsonage. In 1991, under the leadership of Rev. B.L. Nelson, the My School Preschool was established as an outreach ministry for area families and children. My School began with one 4 year-old class and one 3 year-old class. Since then, My School has grown considerably. My School also enjoys an inclusion program with the Intermediate Unit IV Preschool who also holds classes in the Educational Building. In 1994, a kitchen renovation was completed in the parsonage, including new cabinets and new flooring. In 1995 new carpeting and new window coverings were installed in the Educational Building. Also in 1995, a new driveway and outside wall were constructed for the parsonage. We share in the many projects that have been done in the Mars United Methodist Church through the past 108 years. These projects reflect the vision, the spirit and the love of Christ through people moving ahead as they continue to work for Christ and His church. May God continue to guide the Mars United Methodist Church into the future. Ministers who have served MUMC J.J.Davis 1889-1890 Wm. Medley 1891-1892 W.F. Hunter 1893-1895 J.H. Laverty 1896-1897 J.K. Howe 1899-1901 A.H. Davies 1902 J.A. Younkins 1903-1905 T.C. Hicks 1906-1908 G.M. Allshouse 1909-1910 LeRoy Humes 1911-1915 G.W. Pender 1916-1918 D.W. Donaldson 1919 E.V. Shotwell 1920 N.F. Richards 1921-1925 S.E. Brown 1925-1928 J.E. Lutz 1928-1931 R.E. Spangler 1931-1934 Robt. Laing 1934-1938 W.T. Hartley 1938-1941 W.H. Buren 1941-1943 E.L. Parks 1943-1949 F.W. Stephenson 1949-1955 Geo. Shultzaburger 1955-1958 T.D. Stewart 1958-1962 S.D. Browning 1962-1966 M.J. Pritts 1966-1967 J.W. Aupperle 1967-1972 G.B. Kohlhepp 1972-1978 W.F. Hess 1978-1981 R.E. Smith 1981-1989 B.L. Nelson 1989-1991 R.G. Bedison 1991-1993 H. Crocker 1993 B.A.Gascoine 1993-2005 Austin Hornyak 2005-2007 Timothy Bowser 2007-Present Ministers of Music who have served MUMC Mr. A.C. Irvine - Choir Director (More than 38 years) Mr. M.K. Jordan - Choir Director (20 years) Mr. C.F. Ebner - Organist and Director (1945-1979) Mr. Roy Waldschmidt - Organist and Director (1 year) Mrs. Paul Aley - Organist and Director (1980-81) Mr. George Vandersyde - Organist and Director (1981-1987) Mr. C.F. Ebner (Interim) April-May 1988 Ms. Joyce Gindlesperger - Organist and Director (1988-2006) Mrs. Robin Gnoth - Organist and Director (2006-Present) Pianists and Organists who have served MUMC Mrs. J.J. Davies Mrs. Ethel Laverty Lore (2 years) Mrs. C.B. Boyd (about 45 years) Mrs. Alma Wohlgamuth Textor (about 10 years) Ms. Joyce Gindlesperger - Organist and Director (1988-2006) Mrs. Robin Gnoth - Organist and Director (2006-Present) Charter Members Mr. and Mrs. David Wilson Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Borland Mr. and Mrs. William Gilliland Mr. and Mrs. William Clark Mr. and Mrs. Peter Feil Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Hooks Mr. and Mrs. William Link After School Program of Mars United Methodist Church Our program is open Monday through Friday, from 3:30-6:00 p.m. We operate according to the Mars School District calendar, and will only be open when there is a full day of school. We will be open the first day that the children return to school from summer break. Mission Statement: The Mars United Methodist Church After School Program will provide area children in grades K-6 with a safe, comfortable, nurturing environment in which to spend time after school. All children are entitled to respect, caring, and compassion and will be treated equally. Transportation: The Mars School District Transportation System will bring your child(ren) to the church after school, but they must be brought every day. If you plan to have your child attend our program less than 5 days per week on a regular basis you will have to arrange other transportation through the school. Please send a note to school with your child stating that they will need to ride the bus to our program which stops directly outside of the church (Pittsburgh and Lincoln Street Bus Stop). Registration: “In House” registration is open to families who currently have child(ren) enrolled in the program and takes place before the end of each school year. “Open Registration” is open to new students at the end of the school year until the program is filled (20 students maximum). This is based on first come – first served basis. Call 724-625-1488 to request registration information. Cost: The program is $50 per month and is free to those who qualify! Daily Schedule: The children arrive at 3:45 daily. After washing hands, snack is served then the children are encouraged to finish homework or choose a center to go to Centers generally include: crafts, games, computers, building, creative play, cooking, or outside play. Staff: The Program Director is on site daily. We also have adult and youth volunteers who work with the children. All adult volunteers have passed their Act 33/34 Clearances as well as a criminal record check. We do not accept court appointed community service hours for youth volunteers. Our volunteers help at the program because they want to make a difference in the lives of the children and families of our community. There is always at least one adult, two youth volunteers and one junior youth volunteer on the schedule.

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