Grace Church was officially established on June 1, 1848, as Zion Reformed Church. Our congregation dates back even further to services that were held several years prior to 1840 by the German Reformed settlers of Stone Creek. Our first minister was Carl Doeppenschmidt, who served from 1840-1846.
In 1849 we entered into an agreement with the Lutheran congregation to jointly own and maintain the property of the first church building they called “Mount Zion Church.” It was a small, wood frame building located at the site of the Stone Creek Cemetery. Prior to this, the two congregations met in the barn of John Hawk, who is credited as being the first to settle in the Stone Creek valley. The Lutheran congregation was already using this barn prior to the arrival of the German Reformed settlers to Stone Creek. The Reformed settlers then joined with the Lutheran congregation, but held separate services, which at the time were still in German.
The second church building was erected in 1877 (which later burnt down) on the present site of Zion Lutheran Church.
Between 1889 and 1890 there was a division in the congregation that resulted in part of the congregation splitting off and starting a new congregation. Friedens Evangelical Church was officially organized on April 1, 1890 as the result of this split. The Friedens congregation also erected their own church facility that same year, a white wood frame structure in downtown Stone Creek that still stands today.
On February 23, 1941 the two congregations, Zion Reformed Church and Friedens Evangelical Church put aside their differences and merged back together to form Grace Evangelical and Reformed Church, using the building built by the Friedens congregation.
In 1957 there was a merger of our denomination, the Evangelical & Reformed Church with the Congregational Church and Congregational Christian Church denominations, which resulted in the United Church of Christ.
The congregation outgrew the church building in early 1960’s and in 1964 the people of our community celebrated the dedication of the Grace Church building and grounds. The church became a part of the non-denominational Evangelistic Association in 2009 and was renamed Grace Community Church.
The church building was built by the community working as one. There was a great spirit of friendship and oneness of purpose. Grace Church desires to rekindle those feelings for our community based on Christian values of helping others in whatever needs they have. Our mission is to offer a place where people can celebrate true joy with others and share life’s burdens based on biblical truth. The Bible teaches us that God uniquely gifts each Believer for the purpose of encouraging and equipping each other to get through the tough times and celebrate good times together.
If you would like more information about any of our programs or how you can help Grace Community church please call us at 330-339-5007 or email us at gracechurch5007@gmail.com.
