Aley United
Methodist Church
Beavercreek, OH
- - - - -
Copyright 2001
The
Aley Story
. . .
Men and women of the
United Brethren in Christ group were migrating into
the greater Dayton area as early as 1803. In the journal
of Christian Newcomer, an early circuit rider, he tells
of his first trip into Ohio. On July 22, 1810, he "preached
at Lewis Kemp’s, then tarried there for the night."
This was on the eastern edge of Dayton, in Beavercreek.
Several weeks later, August 4 & 5, he returned,
and held the first two-day meeting in Ohio. In Newcomer’s
words describing this meeting, he said, "Here the
Lord met with us in mercy; the whole congregation melted
in tears; may the seed sown produce fruit unto eternal
life."
Lewis Kemp came to Ohio in 1805 and purchased land
east of Dayton. The deed for this property was signed
by President Thomas Jefferson.
In 1810, there were sufficient numbers of the United
Brethren people to organize the Miami Conference.
On several occasions in later years, Christian Newcomer
specifically mentions visiting the group which met
at Lewis Kemp’s home.
At the Annual Conference in 1812, regular circuits
were formed. The Beavercreek circuit was regularly
served by one of those early circuit riders. The meetings
in the homes were called "classes" and their
purpose was for witnessing, instruction of new members,
and the traveling preacher would stop by to preach
a sermon.
In early records, we find that the Beavercreek group
was a part of the Miami Circuit of 1821. In 1836,
this group was listed as part of the Springfield Circuit.
About this time, the Lutherans and the Reformed Group
as well as the United Group felt the need for a meeting
place other than a home.
A 25 X 30 foot building was planned and
erected in 1837-38 on the site of Aley’s present
Activity Building. Prior to this, the three groups had
worshipped in a log house at the eastern edge of the
present Aley cemetery.
Land
for a cemetery, school, and a place of worship had been
set aside in the early 1800’s by Jacob Aley in
whose honor and memory the cemetery and church were
named. One cemetery marker bears the date of 1813 for
a date of burial of one of the Aley family.
Other than in
Christian Newcomer’s journal and various church
histories, no specific names of circuit riders have
been located. The first assigned pastor to the Aley
Meeting House was Benjamin Wheat in 1843. In 1848
a deed was specifically made out designating the Aley
land be used for "education, burying, and religious
services." Since 1853, the United Brethren Church
has been the only congregation that has continued
worshipping on this site.
In 1893 the original
building was remodeled and painted art glass windows
were added. In 1907, that building was raised with
the earth beneath excavated, and a basement was added.
In 1918, this building was destroyed by lightning.
Soon
thereafter, the present white frame building was built
on the same site and foundation. It was dedicated in
1922 and redecorated in 1928. A twenty-foot addition
was added in 1951. This included a chancel area for
the pulpit, a divided choir loft, and an extension of
the basement area. An electronic organ was purchased
through sacrifice as well as prayer.
In 1956, a building
program was initiated to fill the need for more educational
space. Additional land was purchased (3 acres) to
the east. A two-floor educational unit and the lower
level for an eventual sanctuary was dedicated in 1958.
Worship continued until 1959 at the white frame building.
At that time, all church school and worship programs
were moved into the new brick structure, and plans
were formulated to add on an enlarged sanctuary.
The white frame building was eventually revamped
into an Activities Building. This structure continues
to provide social, recreational, and fellowship facilities
dedicated to youth activities.
In the early 1960’s, the Ohio Miami Conference
noted the growing Beavercreek community and the church’s
need of having adequate facilities to minister to
all persons. Out of this came the designating of Aley
Church in June 1963 as a mission of the Conference.
A full-time pastor was assigned and additional financial
assistance given.
During
the 60’s and 70’s as Beavercreek grew, the
church began to grow numerically as well as in vision
and enthusiasm. The completion of the building was to
become a reality instead of a dream. During the late
summer, fall and early winter of 1966, work was completed
on the sanctuary and other remodeled additional areas
of the building. On December 18, 1966, the congregation
moved into the completed facilities. Formal dedication
services were held on January 29, 1967.
Many outstanding
names in the United Brethren Church and the Evangelical
United Brethren Church’s history were associated
with Aley Church. Among them were: Henry Kumler, Jr.
who became a bishop; Walter N. Roberts, who became
a missionary to the Philippine Islands and later President
of United Theological Seminary; Charles Shoop became
a missionary to Canton, China; E.S. Lorenz distinguished
himself in the field of church music; and O.O. Arnold
worked in the field of literature may years.
The first Woman’s Missionary Society was organized
with nine members in 1886 at Aley Church. The first
W.C.T.U. began in 1890. A Ladies Aid was organized
in 1913.
Aley Church has a long and memorable history dating
back over nearly 189 years. For one and one-half centuries
it was Aley United Brethren in Christ Church. From
November 1946 to April 23, 1968, because of a denominational
merger, Aley became Aley Evangelical United Brethren
Church. In a merger with the Methodist Church in 1968
the sign out front was changed to read Aley United
Methodist Church.
In
1989, ground was broken for another addition to the
main church building.
Over 6,000
square feet were added providing for additional classrooms,
access for the handicapped, an enlarged kitchen, more
storage space, and the location of the Pastor’s
and other administrative offices on the ground floor.
This addition was completed early in 1990.
Presently, Aley
United Methodist Church is a growing church which
has increased its membership from 300 back in 1973
to 530 in the 1990’s. With ever-increasing demands
upon the church to reach out in Christ’s name,
the congregation must depend more and more upon its
laypersons who are indeed the muscle and backbone
of the church.God alone knows what the
future holds for Aley’s ministry and the denominational
banner it carries. Whatever it may be, let it be said
that Aley Church is a congregation committed to the
calling of Christ to be in ministry to today's world.
It is a congregation with a vision of "Every
Member in Ministry" and a mission "To Make
Disciples for Jesus Christ."
