Difference between revisions of "Martins Creek Mennonite Church (Millersburg, Ohio)"

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Martins Creek Mennonite Church, located north of Berlin, [[Holmes County (Ohio, USA)|Holmes County]], [[Ohio (State)|Ohio]], a member of the [[Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA |Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA]], was organized in 1860 by former members of the [[Old Order Amish|Old Order Amish]] in this community, the first settlers having come in 1824.
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In the early 1800s, [[Amish]] families from [[Pennsylvania (USA)|Pennsylvania]] began to settle in [[Holmes County (Ohio, USA)|Holmes County]], [[Ohio (USA)|Ohio]]. The settlement between Millersburg and Berlin organized an Amish congregation around 1828. The first minister and bishop was Frederich Hage.  
  
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The first meetinghouse, 25 x 48 ft, was erected in 1875, its second in 1906, when the membership was about 200, which was remodeled in 1955 to seat 550. The first bishop was Fred Hague, who was followed by Jonathan Zook, Fred Mast, and Joseph Mast. After a period of nonresident bishops, D. D. Miller, who was serving in 1956, was installed as bishop-pastor. He was assisted by Warren Miller. The membership in 1955 was 357. The membership in 2005 was 255; the pastor was Carl Wiebe.
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By 1860, the division in the Amish world began to take place. Those Amish who wished to maintain their traditions became known as [[Old Order Amish]]. Those desiring to incorporate some modest change became known as [[Amish Mennonites]]. Within Holmes County, the division rested on matters of dress regulations and level of accommodation to the surrounding culture. Frederick Hage organized 24 more progressive members into what became the Martins Creek Amish Mennonite Church.
  
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The congregations at [[Berlin Mennonite Church (Berlin, Ohio, USA)|Berlin]] (1939) and Millersburg (1956) were organized out of Martins Creek. In addition the Flat Ridge Mission Church, 10 miles (16 km) south of Newcomerstown, was sponsored by the Martin's Creek congregation.
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The congregation met in homes until 1875, when it erected its first meetinghouse. It soon launched a [[Sunday School|Sunday school]], primarily to reinforce the learning of the German language. A more permanent Sunday school began in 1901. Meanwhile, use of the German language decreased, and by 1906, all services were held only in English after preacher Levi Miller's death.
  
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The congregation's address is: 6111 CR 203, Millersburg, Ohio.
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The 1875 meetinghouse was enlarged in 1888; however, rapid growth necessitated the construction of a new building in 1906. This building was remodelled and substantially enlarged in 1956, and a fellowship hall added in 1965. On 13 July 2010, a fire destroyed the older part of the church building, though the sanctuary was saved. The church then added a Family Life Center.
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{{GAMEO_footer|hp=Vol. 3, p. 517|date=1957|a1_last=Bender|a1_first=Harold S|a2_last= |a2_first= }}
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The congregation began a [[Young People's Bible Meeting]] in 1895, and initiated a women's sewing circle in 1911. The church met for worship every two weeks until the 1920s, when it transitioned to a weekly schedule.
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Martins Amish Mennonite Church was part of the [[Eastern Amish Mennonite Conference]]. That conference merged with the [[Ohio Mennonite Conference (1843-1927)|Ohio Mennonite Conference]] late in the 1920s. It remained part of the [[Ohio and Eastern Mennonite Conference (MC)|Ohio and Eastern Mennonite Conference]] until 2016 when it withdrew from that conference and joined the [[LMC: a Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches|Lancaster Mennonite Conference]], which was then in the process of withdrawing from [[Mennonite Church USA]].
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The Martins Creek congregation helped to plant the [[Berlin Mennonite Church (Berlin, Ohio, USA)|Berlin Mennonite Church]] in 1917, Flat Ridge Mission in 1949, and Millersburg Mennonite in 1954.
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= Bibliography =
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Holmes County Public Library. "History Mennonite Churches Holmes County." Web. 3 September 2025. https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/37507771/history-mennonite-churches-holmes-co-holmes-county-public-.
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"Our church history." Martins Creek Mennonite Church. 2025. Web. 5 September 2025. https://www.mcmc.org/our-history.html.
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Stoltzfus, Grant M. ''Mennonites of the Ohio and Eastern Conference; From the Colonial Period in Pennsylvania to 1968''. Studies in Anabaptist and Mennonite history, no. 13. Scottdale, Pa: Herald Press, 1969: 73-74, 228-229, 245, 247
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= Additional Information =
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'''Address''': 6111 County Road 203, Millersburg, Ohio 44654
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'''Telephone''': ​330-674-1242
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'''Website''': https://www.mcmc.org/
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'''Denominational Affiliations''':
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[https://lmcchurches.org/ LMC: a Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches]
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[https://www.mennoniteusa.org/ Mennonite Church USA]
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== Pastoral Leaders at Martins Creek Mennonite Church ==
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{| class="wikitable"
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|-
 +
! Name !! Years<br/>of Service
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|-
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| Frederich Hage (1794-1863)<br />(Bishop) || 1828?-?<br />?-1863
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|-
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| Paul Stutzman (1785-1840)? || 1830s?-1840
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|-
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| Samuel Mast (1812-1883) || 1850-1860
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|-
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| Daniel Miller || ?-?
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|-
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| Jonathan Zook (1809-1895)<br />(Bishop) || ?-1860s?<br />1860s?-?
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|-
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| Levi D. Miller (1845-1906) || 1876-1906
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|-
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| Frederick Mast (1850-1919)<br />(Bishop) || 1879-1881<br />1881-1919
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|-
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| Joseph F. Mast (1875-1938)<br />(Bishop) || 1906-1916<br />1916-1930
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|-
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| Calvin Mast (1877-1953) || 1910-1953
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|-
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| Simon W. Sommer (1882-1967) || 1928-1956?
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|-
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| Omar S. Troyer (1900-1963) || 1938-1960
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|-
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| David "D. D." Miller (1889-1976)(Bishop) || 1941-1966
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|-
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| Warren M. Miller (1921-2011) || 1950-1971
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|-
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| Roman D. Stutzman (1909-2002)<br />(Bishop) || 1959-1964<br />1964-1986
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|-
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| Leroy Mullet (1941-2008) || 1971-1973
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|-
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| Harold G. Stoltzfus (1936-2014) || 1976-1982
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|-
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| John R. Smucker (1932-2006) || 1983-1987
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|-
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| Paul O. King (1921-2016)(Interim) || 1987-1989
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|-
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| Carl L. Wiebe (1960- ) || 1990-2012
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|-
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| Matt Flinner (Associate) || 2001-2009
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|-
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| Jeremy "Jay" Conn (Associate)<br />(Lead) || 2001-2005<br />2012-
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|-
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| Vicki Conn (Congregational Care) || 2014-2017
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|-
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| Glenn W. Nofziger (Associate) || 2015-2022
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|-
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| Patrick Miller (Youth) || 2021-
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|}
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== Martins Creek Mennonite Church Membership ==
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
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|-
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! Year !! Members
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|-
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| 1860 || 24
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|-
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| 1908 || 200
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|-
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| 1920 || 260
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|-
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| 1930 || 376<br />With Berlin
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|-
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| 1940 || 353
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|-
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| 1950 || 324
 +
|-
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| 1960 || 359
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|-
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| 1970 || 297
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|-
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| 1980 || 310
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|-
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| 1990 || 186
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|-
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| 2000 || 242
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|-
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| 2009 || 289
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|}
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= Original Mennonite Encyclopedia Article =
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By [[Bender, Harold Stauffer (1897-1962)|Harold S. Bender]]. Copied by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from ''Mennonite Encyclopedia'', Vol. 3, p. 517. All rights reserved.
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Martin's Creek Mennonite Church, located two miles north of Berlin, [[Holmes County (Ohio, USA)|Holmes County]], [[Ohio (USA)|Ohio]], a member of the [[Ohio Mennonite Conference]], was organized in 1860 by former members of the [[Old Order Amish|Old Order Amish]] in this community, the first settlers having come in 1824.
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The first meetinghouse, 25 x 48 ft, was erected in 1875, its second in 1906, when the membership was about 200, which was remodeled in 1955 to seat 550. The first bishop was Fred Hege, who was followed by Jonathan Zook, Fred Mast, and Joseph Mast. After a period of nonresident bishops, D. D. Miller, who is now (1956) serving, was installed as bishop-pastor. He is assisted by Warren Miller. The membership in 1955 was 357.
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The congregations at [[Berlin Mennonite Church (Berlin, Ohio, USA)|Berlin]] (1939) and Millersburg (1956) have been organized out of Martin's Creek. In addition the Flat Ridge Mission Church, 10 miles south of Newcomerstown, is sponsored by the Martin's Creek congregation.
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{{GAMEO_footer|hp=|date=September 2025|a1_last=Steiner|a1_first=Samuel J|a2_last= |a2_first= }}
 
[[Category:Churches]]
 
[[Category:Churches]]
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[[Category:Eastern Amish Mennonite Conference Congregations]]
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[[Category:Ohio and Eastern Mennonite Conference Congregations]]
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[[Category:LMC: a Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches Congregations]]
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[[Category:Mennonite Church (MC) Congregations]]
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[[Category:Mennonite Church USA Congregations]]
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[[Category:Ohio Congregations]]
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[[Category:United States Congregations]]

Latest revision as of 15:31, 8 September 2025

In the early 1800s, Amish families from Pennsylvania began to settle in Holmes County, Ohio. The settlement between Millersburg and Berlin organized an Amish congregation around 1828. The first minister and bishop was Frederich Hage.

By 1860, the division in the Amish world began to take place. Those Amish who wished to maintain their traditions became known as Old Order Amish. Those desiring to incorporate some modest change became known as Amish Mennonites. Within Holmes County, the division rested on matters of dress regulations and level of accommodation to the surrounding culture. Frederick Hage organized 24 more progressive members into what became the Martins Creek Amish Mennonite Church.

The congregation met in homes until 1875, when it erected its first meetinghouse. It soon launched a Sunday school, primarily to reinforce the learning of the German language. A more permanent Sunday school began in 1901. Meanwhile, use of the German language decreased, and by 1906, all services were held only in English after preacher Levi Miller's death.

The 1875 meetinghouse was enlarged in 1888; however, rapid growth necessitated the construction of a new building in 1906. This building was remodelled and substantially enlarged in 1956, and a fellowship hall added in 1965. On 13 July 2010, a fire destroyed the older part of the church building, though the sanctuary was saved. The church then added a Family Life Center.

The congregation began a Young People's Bible Meeting in 1895, and initiated a women's sewing circle in 1911. The church met for worship every two weeks until the 1920s, when it transitioned to a weekly schedule.

Martins Amish Mennonite Church was part of the Eastern Amish Mennonite Conference. That conference merged with the Ohio Mennonite Conference late in the 1920s. It remained part of the Ohio and Eastern Mennonite Conference until 2016 when it withdrew from that conference and joined the Lancaster Mennonite Conference, which was then in the process of withdrawing from Mennonite Church USA.

The Martins Creek congregation helped to plant the Berlin Mennonite Church in 1917, Flat Ridge Mission in 1949, and Millersburg Mennonite in 1954.

Bibliography

Holmes County Public Library. "History Mennonite Churches Holmes County." Web. 3 September 2025. https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/37507771/history-mennonite-churches-holmes-co-holmes-county-public-.

"Our church history." Martins Creek Mennonite Church. 2025. Web. 5 September 2025. https://www.mcmc.org/our-history.html.

Stoltzfus, Grant M. Mennonites of the Ohio and Eastern Conference; From the Colonial Period in Pennsylvania to 1968. Studies in Anabaptist and Mennonite history, no. 13. Scottdale, Pa: Herald Press, 1969: 73-74, 228-229, 245, 247

Additional Information

Address: 6111 County Road 203, Millersburg, Ohio 44654

Telephone: ​330-674-1242

Website: https://www.mcmc.org/

Denominational Affiliations:

LMC: a Fellowship of Anabaptist Churches

Mennonite Church USA

Pastoral Leaders at Martins Creek Mennonite Church

Name Years
of Service
Frederich Hage (1794-1863)
(Bishop)		 1828?-?
?-1863
Paul Stutzman (1785-1840)? 1830s?-1840
Samuel Mast (1812-1883) 1850-1860
Daniel Miller ?-?
Jonathan Zook (1809-1895)
(Bishop)		 ?-1860s?
1860s?-?
Levi D. Miller (1845-1906) 1876-1906
Frederick Mast (1850-1919)
(Bishop)		 1879-1881
1881-1919
Joseph F. Mast (1875-1938)
(Bishop)		 1906-1916
1916-1930
Calvin Mast (1877-1953) 1910-1953
Simon W. Sommer (1882-1967) 1928-1956?
Omar S. Troyer (1900-1963) 1938-1960
David "D. D." Miller (1889-1976)(Bishop) 1941-1966
Warren M. Miller (1921-2011) 1950-1971
Roman D. Stutzman (1909-2002)
(Bishop)		 1959-1964
1964-1986
Leroy Mullet (1941-2008) 1971-1973
Harold G. Stoltzfus (1936-2014) 1976-1982
John R. Smucker (1932-2006) 1983-1987
Paul O. King (1921-2016)(Interim) 1987-1989
Carl L. Wiebe (1960- ) 1990-2012
Matt Flinner (Associate) 2001-2009
Jeremy "Jay" Conn (Associate)
(Lead)		 2001-2005
2012-
Vicki Conn (Congregational Care) 2014-2017
Glenn W. Nofziger (Associate) 2015-2022
Patrick Miller (Youth) 2021-

Martins Creek Mennonite Church Membership

Year Members
1860 24
1908 200
1920 260
1930 376
With Berlin
1940 353
1950 324
1960 359
1970 297
1980 310
1990 186
2000 242
2009 289

Original Mennonite Encyclopedia Article

By Harold S. Bender. Copied by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, p. 517. All rights reserved.

Martin's Creek Mennonite Church, located two miles north of Berlin, Holmes County, Ohio, a member of the Ohio Mennonite Conference, was organized in 1860 by former members of the Old Order Amish in this community, the first settlers having come in 1824.

The first meetinghouse, 25 x 48 ft, was erected in 1875, its second in 1906, when the membership was about 200, which was remodeled in 1955 to seat 550. The first bishop was Fred Hege, who was followed by Jonathan Zook, Fred Mast, and Joseph Mast. After a period of nonresident bishops, D. D. Miller, who is now (1956) serving, was installed as bishop-pastor. He is assisted by Warren Miller. The membership in 1955 was 357.

The congregations at Berlin (1939) and Millersburg (1956) have been organized out of Martin's Creek. In addition the Flat Ridge Mission Church, 10 miles south of Newcomerstown, is sponsored by the Martin's Creek congregation.


Author(s) Samuel J Steiner
Date Published September 2025

Cite This Article

MLA style

Steiner, Samuel J. "Martins Creek Mennonite Church (Millersburg, Ohio)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. September 2025. Web. 19 Jan 2026. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Martins_Creek_Mennonite_Church_(Millersburg,_Ohio)&oldid=181201.

APA style

Steiner, Samuel J. (September 2025). Martins Creek Mennonite Church (Millersburg, Ohio). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 19 January 2026, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Martins_Creek_Mennonite_Church_(Millersburg,_Ohio)&oldid=181201.



©1996-2026 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.

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