William Street United Methodist Church has been making disciples of Jesus Christ for 190 years here in Delaware—and that mission continues today. A BRIEF HISTORY • Pioneer settlers came to Delaware County and brought along their deep religious convictions and concerns. • Methodists formed circuits for their horseback-riding preachers to follow. In this manner they covered a lot of territory to serve the religious needs of many more settlers. In 1810 Delaware was one of five “preaching places” added to the Hocking Circuit. Since there were no church structures, services were held in private homes. • It is believed that the first such meetings were effected in 1818-19, then in 1821 the decision to build a church was made. • Colonel Moses Byxbe and partner, Henry Baldwin, donated a site at the northwest corner of Franklin and William Streets. Builder J. G. DeWitt called for donations and subscriptions such as wheat, rye, corn, pork, bacon and more to trade or sell to obtain labor and materials for constructing the church. Rutherford Hayes, the future president’s father, donated fifteen gallons of whiskey from his still operation, a gesture that could be given to much speculation. • In 1824 the building was completed and dedicated under the name of William Street Church. • Adam Poe came to Delaware in 1840 and became the church’s first full time minister. It was this man of poor health who had the idea to establish a Methodist college in Delaware—Ohio Wesleyan University. • Ohio Wesleyan University’s first commencement was held in the church. • During the years 1845-46, the church location was purchased from Mrs. Rutherford Hayes, the future president’s mother, for $1,900. A new church with a seating capacity of six hundred, at a cost of $5,600, was dedicated on August 3, 1847. • After overcoming many obstacles the foundation for a new church was laid on July 10, 1887. The imposing new edifice costing $40,000, with a seating capacity of sixteen hundred, was dedicated April 22, 1888. • During the night of January 30, 1971, a spectacular fire completely destroyed the church. • For the third time on this same location, a new church was dedicated. It is in this building that William Street United Methodist Church continues to carry on its important and historical role of religious leadership and community ministry in Delaware. Paraphrased from Delaware County Then and Now: An Informal History.
Ray E. Buckingham, 1976, Historybook, Inc., Delaware, Ohio
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