by Yvonne Mayer, Church Historian
In the late 1800s, the citizens of a small community south of Athens, known as the White Hall Settlement, began to plan for a church society. The community later came to be known as Mechanicsburg, located on Richland Avenue.
Among this group of early settlers were the Ackley, Blackburn, Clark, Higgins, Pickering, Bower and Brown families. To make possible a church, the neighbors organized what they called the Mite Society. They held ice cream socials in the summer and oyster suppers in the winter to raise funds for the new church.
Eventually the time came when it was possible for the society to erect a church. Hiram Baker purchased a lot, which was part of the Coate’s farm, from Mrs. Rosa Coate. Hiram Baker in turn sold it to the society. The church was built in 1890 and named after the first pastor, Rev. Wright, who previously was a member ofUnion Church. The original building was frame structure with one large assembly room. James Dixon, George Hooper and Benjamin Love were the first class leaders. Mrs. Thomas Cabeen, formerly Miss Kate Clark, was the first Treasurer. Her grandfather was the founder of Clarks M. E. Chapel.
Around 1906, the church was renamed the Methodist Protestant Church. In 1927, the name was changed to Richland Avenue Methodist Church. In 1929 the structure was remodeled with additions and the outside of the building was stuccoed.
In 1962 the Church on Richland Avenue was sold to Galbraith Associates and the church was torn down. Property was purchased on Pomeroy Road for a new church to be named Richland United Methodist Church. The groundbreaking service was held on December 23, 1963 and the first service was held on December 20, 1964. The pastor was Earl C. Bowser. The building committee for the new church was Fred Dixon, Arthur Brooks, Clyde Bronson, Karl Rose, Gene Clyse, and Bob Matthewson, Treasurer. The finance committee was Orin Secoy, Don Collins, Bernard Cuckler, Clarence Warner, Charles Norris, Tom Chesser, Martha Jones, Virginia Jones, and Gladys Gaver.
The steeple from the original church was purchased by Cleo and Arthur Brooks and later donated to the current church. It now stands on the hill behind the church and serves as a gazebo. In 1980, an addition, including a pastor’s study, secretary’s office, two Sunday School rooms, and a restroom was added to the back of the church.