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1836 to the Present
Since 1836 there has been the thread of a Methodist Church in Monfort
Heights. Countless faithful people have contributed their time, talents,
and money to bring the Monfort Heights United Methodist Church through the
years to its present position in the community. To all these we owe a huge
debt of gratitude. We will cherish the memories of a church that has
served the community for one hundred and sixty some odd years, but we will
never forget that the work of Jesus Christ through his church is never
completed.
The early history of the church is obscure due to destruction of
records, but we do know that it all began on January 13, 1836 When John
and Frances McKnight, who were members of a group of neighborhood
worshipers, deeded to five trustees and their successors in office a part
of their land containing .99 square rods more or less, for the purpose of
building a place of worship for the Methodist Episcopal Church in the
United States in consideration of thirty dollars. The deed was officially
recorded September 15, 1836 at the Hamilton County Court House.
Soon after that a 30 ft. X 40 ft. brick building at the present site of
Asbury Chapel was built and served as a place of worship until 1868 when
it was destroyed in a severe windstorm. The members quickly built the
currently existing frame structure on the foundation of the original
church, receiving an outpouring of help from neighboring churches and
community residents.
The little church was used as a place of worship until 1917, when the
membership declined to thirty-eight, and forced its closing. Prior to the
closing, the Reverend Armbrust served as the supply minister as part of
the North College Hill Circuit (North College Hill, Groesbeck and Asbury).
On May 6, 1934 it was reopened as a mission church, financed by James
N. Gamble, a member of Westwood Methodist Church. Five part time pastors
served it until 1948 when the Reverend George A. Marshall was called as
its first full-time minister to a congregation of only twenty-eight
members. Later that same year the men of the church and interested
individuals of the community completely renovated the chapel as years of
neglect had taken its toll. That task obviously ignited interest as the
first service in the remodeled building found 266 in attendance - more
than bad been in the building in its entire history! The name was changed
from Asbury Chapel to the Monfort Heights Community Methodist Church. An
immediate building program was undertaken, which resulted in the
completion and dedication of our present Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall
and kitchen area on Easter Sunday 1952.
The late fifties and early sixties saw a large influx of new members
requiring the adoption of two worship services as well as two Sunday
school sessions and construction of the church school wing dedicated in
1965. By the mid sixties continued growth caused need for further
expansion and resulted in the purchase of what is now called Asbury House,
which is currently housing youth and scouting activities.
Monfort Heights United Methodist Church now houses a preschool known as
"Directed Creative Play" which has been in existence since 1968. We also
either sponsor or house scouting for all age groups for both boys and
girls. In addition we also have a variety of help, service, support,
share, and bible study groups - some for members and others for community
residents.
We currently have a "Long Range Planning Committee" to study and
project our future needs both as it pertains to facilities as well as
programs in a fast changing world. Emphasis is not only on our own growth
and vitality but also looking at the real and desperate needs of the
community.
Today the Monfort Heights congregation, under the leadership of its
spirit directed pastors, continues to seek its ministry in the local
community and around the world. In the year 2000 there definitely seems to
be an excitement stirring in the congregation to actively seek the will of
God for us as a body. There is willingness through diligent prayer and
patient waiting for instructions from the Holy Spirit on not only what we
should be doing but as to how he would have us do it.
Listed below are pastors, associates, and student ministers who have
served the church since it's re-opening in 1934. For a complete list of
earlier pastors, see the publication Old Asbury, written by Thomas
Sakmyster and James Innis (1984).
| John A. Childress |
1934-35 |
| Boyd Downing |
1935-36 |
| Claude S. Dayton |
1936-37 |
| Davis P. Holt |
1937-44 |
| Albert W. Smith |
1944-48 |
| George A. Marshall |
1948-58 |
| Wesley Clark |
1958-65 |
| Robert P. Chiles |
1965-73 |
| Ralph M. Hitesman |
1973-80 |
| Steve Burgener |
1973-75 |
| Mike Edwards |
1975-76 |
| Bob Henery |
1976-81 |
| Don A. Bible |
1980-85 |
| Jack Marsh |
1981-83 |
| Jonathon Gill |
1983-84 |
| Dave Metz |
1984-86 |
| Norman Brom |
1985-99 |
| Larry Swaisgood |
1986-89 |
| Paul McCullough |
1992-99 |
| William Beachy |
1999-2001 |
| Michael Schneider |
1999-1995 |
| Wes Steele |
2001-Present |
Published in the
Monfort Heights United Methodist Church directory
12/2000. |
