Our History

Two of the first settlers to reach Wellington in the Spring of 1818 were John and Margaret (Peggy) Clifford. They built a log cabin on a hill near the banks of the Wellington Creek northeast of the center of town (Now East Herrick). It was here that the settlers would gather to worship, sing, and fellowship together. Often the Bible was the only book and lay leaders would direct the services with others participating.

The Ohio Conference of Methodist Episcopal leaders formed the Black River Circuit and sent riders to reach these settlements and spread the word of God. One of the first to do so was Reverend Zarah Costin. He would meet at the John Clifford Senior's home along with Mr. and Mrs. John Clifford Jr., a Clifford daughter married to a Mr. Knox, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Clifford, the Lyman Howk's, Theodosia Clifford, Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Bradley, Mr. and Mrs. Asa Hamilton, and Charles Sweet who was the first to become a member by transfer of letter. These meetings were called a "Class," and it was here that the Rev. Costin preached his first sermon in 1823. A class of approximately 35 was formed and soon the log cabin home became too small, and services were held at the log schoolhouse located northeast of the center of town.

The actual organization of the church took place in the Spring of 1824. At that time, the circuit was traveled by J.C. Taylor and in 1825 by Elijah Field. Circuit Rider Adam Poe was given his license to preach by Presiding Elder James McMahon at the home of the Clifford's in June of 1825.

The membership outgrew their meeting place, and it was decided that a log cabin church should be built. There was much discussion as to the location. It was to be the first meeting house of its kind in the Western Reserve but due to a 4-year delay, that honor went to a church in Elyria. A site was finally chosen west of town near Charlemont Creek close to Mr. Case's Tannery on land not owned by the church. It was noted by Rev. H.O. Sheldon in his journals that the building was completed in late 1826.

"It was constructed of round logs and was 30 feet in length, 12 feet wide and eight feet high, with a puncheon floor, a clapboard roof, with four windows, two on each side, filled with oil paper. This church was completed from top to bottom with something less than one pound of nails which I purchased in Cleveland and were used in finishing the door and the pulpit, and a small table for communion purposes."

The congregants continued to meet in the log cabin church until 1835 when it was determined that a larger building was needed. The first brick church was built on the site of the present church on land purchased by Lyman Howk. A church in the northeast corner of the township was disbanded and many of the members came to the Methodist Church greatly increasing their numbers. Despite this increase, it continued to be a circuit church and did not have a resident pastor until 1866.

By the 1860's, the church was overflowing and once again the congregation decided to build a larger church. A committee was formed but no action took place. A special Sunday session was called to debate the issue and after much discussion, Miss Armenia Herrick arose from her pew and called for action. She donated $500.00 and asked others to join her. By the end of the meeting, $9,000 was pledged and within a week $13,000.

The basement was dedicated on Christmas day 1867. The church included a steeple which could be seen for miles and the bells could be heard far out into the country. For many years, the bell was used to sound alarms. The steeple included a four-sided clock which was damaged by lightning in 1906. The clock was removed at this time and moved to the Town Hall. The steeple was damaged again in 2010 due to a storm. It was taken down in 2010-2011 to be repaired and restored.

On Sunday, April 14, 1878, a fire broke out in the sanctuary just after the congregation had left the evening service. This was due to the janitor not realizing that the 12-light chandelier in the center of the room was not to be turned on or off by turning a nut at the end of a rod. Someone saw the fire, rang the bell, and gave the alarm. It seemed as if the entire church was on fire. Men dashed in to assist the janitor who was beating the flames with seat cushions. The fire was extinguished but many ruined their clothes and received some burns.

In the fall of 1878, the church was host to the 39th Session of the North Ohio Conference. A revival at this time brought a number of young people into the church and Sunday School enrollment reached 300. The basement where classes were held proved too small to hold such a number. It was decided that an addition was needed at the rear of the church. Rededication was on May 7, 1882.

The basement became a hub of activity when basketball was introduced. The schools did not have a court, so the Board of Education contracted with the church for $200.00 a year in 1916. It was used five days a week from 2:30 to 5:30 and two nights from 7:00 to 9:30. The game proved popular for both boys and girls.

The church began sponsoring the Boy Scouts in 1907 and continues to be a meeting site to this day. Also in 1907, a new organ was purchased with the help of a grant from Industrialist Andrew Carnegie. This was the 2nd one purchased, replacing the one installed in 1874. A 3rd organ was purchased in 1955 (a No. 5 Baldwin).

In 2005 a renovation of the lower level resulted in a multipurpose room completely handicapped accessible that is used by many groups in the area. In 2017 a Prayer Chapel was opened in the front of the church and in 2020 a new breezeway entrance was added.

Today the church continues to grow and welcomes all who would enter its doors.