A few United Brethren families began holding meetings in their homes about once a month around the year 1860 in Rossville, on South "B" Street.

The Ohio German Conference at Dayton organized a Union Circuit of six churches with Hamilton as one of the charges. In 1882 five sterling Christian families banded themselves together and raised the money to purchase the German Baptist Church on Canal Street (now Maple Avenue) near Eighth Street for $777.77. Rev. Kopittke was chosen as pastor. He was also superintendent of the Sunday School, which started with only ten children, but soon increased to forty scholars. In these early days the minister served two or more churches. Ladies Mission (Schwester Verein) was very active at this time, meeting in the homes. This church also had a choir.

Five ministers served after Rev. Kopittke, then in 1891 with Rev. Leuchauer as minister, the attendance had increased, until a larger church was needed to house the congregation. The property on Canal Street was sold for $2,500.00, then two lots were purchased on the corner of Ninth and Sycamore Streets for $800. The church and parsonage were built for $12,000.00. Stones for the church foundation were donated by G. Kuentzley. Albert Betscher was the contractor and Fred Miller did the stone masonry work. After four years of hard labor all but $2,000.00 was paid and that was subscribed for. When this very modern church was dedicated in November of 1893, the Daily Democrat quoted "It is a beautiful edifice made of pressed brick with white sand stone trimming, surmounted with a roof of blue slate. A bell weighing 1,278 pounds hangs in one of the two towers."

Rev. Ochlschlegel was the next minister, and he organized the young peoples society with a meeting each Friday night. Then came Rev. E. F. Wegner, a very young man, only 19 years old. He was very happy to serve in the new church. Rev. Fritz and his wife were loved by all. Each week he would walk to visit any one that missed church on Sunday. He was a great lover of music and had a cornetist to play with the organ.

Rev. William Dunzweiller and his happy family of six children were willing workers with young and old of the church. When a donation of $100.00 was received the debt on the church was paid so many of the former ministers and families came to celebrate. Rev. John Dunzweiller, brother of William Dunzweiller, and family were able to stay only two years; due to poor health, he was forced to retire.

Rev. H. F. Wegner served three churches, Hamilton, Shandon and Dunlap. He used his horse and buggy to make the trip each Sunday. In 1913 the water from the flood was in the church and parsonage basements. Previous to this time the ladies met in the homes as a neighborly gathering. Women of all religion came in every day clothes for sewing and coffee. Under the guidance of Mrs. Wegner, this sewing group became the Ladies Aid Society. A beautiful semi-pipe organ was purchased.

Next came Rev. J. Kornmiller, a widower, with a five year old daughter. He married a fine lady from Toledo who made a good home for he and his little girl. He gave up the ministry after he was here two years, because he was very hard of hearing.

Rev. Schwab was the first minister to preach in German and English. In 1918, due to the war with Germany, the name of the church was changed from "Verinigte Brueder in Christ" meaning United Brethren in Christ, to Ninth Street United Brethren. At this time Harry Scheiring of this church entered into the ministry. An orchestra, playing for the Sunday School, was started.

The parsonage was remodeled before Rev. Witham and family moved in. The English Bible and song books were now being used. It gradually became an English speaking church, and of greater service to the whole community. It became part of the English Conference when the German and English Conferences merged.

While Rev. Fulton was still a student at the Seminary in Dayton, he was assigned to this church. He delivered very powerful messages of God for so young a man. At this time a junior orchestra was started.

Rev. Semrau was the next minister. He and his wife liked singing so they reorganized the choir. When he left here he exchanged churches with Rev. Wolfe. While Rev. Wolfe was serving here, the fortieth anniversary of the church was celebrated. He was a very spiritual pastor and organized prayer services.

Rev. Cross and his family served the church for five years. During this time, another young man of the church, Joe Quick, entered into the ministry. Rev. Cross is now retired, but is still a faithful member of the church.

We are proud to claim Rev. Messmer, the present, Conference Superintendent, as our minister for several years. Mrs. Messmer organized the junior Choir. The Senior Choir started wearing wine color robes and the juniors were vested in white robes. An electric organ was donated to replace the pipe organ.

Rev. and Mrs. Clark were faithful visitors of the sick and shut-in. The Fiftieth Anniversary was celebrated with dedication of the many gifts and memorial that were given to the church. Lightning struck the tallest tower so it was rebuilt into a low, modern design. The Evangelical and United Brethren churches joined together in 1945 so this became the Ninth Street Evangelical United Brethren Church.

Rev. Fausey attended us while he finished his training at the seminary in Dayton. During his ministry, the church was remodeled and redecorated. Rev. Huber and his wife are much interested in missions, both foreign and at home. A new front entrance has been added to the church, During Rev. Huber's year ministering to us, he has done his best to guide the church in the religious faith that inspired by the forefathers of this church sixty years ago.

 © 2000 by the Butler County Historical Society