Church History

DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY

Dillman United Brethren Church is affiliated with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ with headquarters in Huntington, Indiana. Phillip William Otterbein and Martin Boehm being two of the most influential founding fathers. Otterbein was a German Reformed minister; Boehm was a Mennonite evangelist. The two men met on Pentecost Sunday in 1767 in a barn near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, during a service in which Boehm preached. Otterbein threw his arms around Boehm and exclaimed, 'Wir Sind Broder." From that greeting came the name "United Brethren." Gradually, the movement took form and proceeded toward becoming a full-fledged denomination. A conference in 1800 adopted a name.

Our official name is "Church of the United Brethren in Christ.” In 1767, at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, we became the First denomination founded on American soil. We were the fastest growing denomination in the United States until 1850. We were one of the few denominations to take an official position opposed to Slavery. Dark days came in 1889, when our denomination was split over the issue of membership in the Masonic Lodge and other secret orders. Two United Brethren denominations emerged:

United Brethren Old Constitution
United Brethren New Constitution

The other branch merged in 1946 with the Evangelical Church becoming the Evangelical
United Brethren Church. They merged with the Methodist Church in 1967, becoming the United Methodist Church.

Local History

First Church Structure

A congregation began meeting together around 1880 in the Eversole school house in Jackson Township. That early congregation later shared a facility with the Union Chapel congregation (now McNatt United Methodist Church). In 1889 there was consensus that the group wanted their own facility. On May 24, one acre of land was purchased from Charles and Florence Clampitt for $65. The lumber for the building was furnished by Perry Kilander and the Dillman brothers, John, Ed, Jacob and Sidney, built the church building. The Edwards Chapel, later renamed The Dillman United Brethren Church was built in 1889 and dedicated on December 22, 1889 with Bishop Milton Wright officiating (father of Orville & Wilbur of airplane fame). The following description of the dedication service was written in the January 16, 1890 issue of the Christian Conservator:

Edwards Chapel of the United Brethren Church at Dillman was regularly dedicated recently. Bishop M. Wright preached the dedicatory sermon. His text was St. John 17:24, the subject being Christ’s prayer for his disciples, that they might behold him in his future glory. The sermon was logical and the future glory of Christ was beautifully portrayed. It was a feast to the Christian and to those of a literary turn of mind.
After the sermon there was to be raised $350, but the subscription and collection amounted to $380. Elder A. Rust assisted in the dedicatory service. Though the roads were extremely muddy, the house was full of liberal hearted men and women who contributed cheerfully and readily.

The dimensions of the house are 34x44 feet, with belfry, and is a good substantial frame building, costing about $1500. The log consists of one acre of ground and is provided with a good well. The brethren purpose planting a grove on the west end of the lot next spring. It is due to say that the trustees, C.H. Morgan, George Lee, Thomas Weekly, Samuel Elkins, John Williams, Josiah Slusher and John Richey are entitled to great credit for their building and now have a house that is a credit to and speaks in commendable terms of the community. To the people who have contributed so freely toward the erection of this house of worship the pastor and society wish to tender their heartfelt thanks.
C.B. Small

Later Improvements

There have been many changes to the structure during the past 100 plus years. In 1907 while Rev. O.M. Wilson was pastor, a double floor was laid, rostrum changed, belfry put at the corner and new seats purchased for a total cost of $1400. In 1916, a tornado took the belfry down to square and wrecked the bell. In March 1948, wind took off the south half of the roof on a Friday and on the following Sunday a torrential rain ruined the inside of the church. Sunday morning, men and women, wearing overshoes and wading water, drilled holes in the floor near the pulpit (east side) and let the water drain out. At the end of the two weeks, Frank Schweikhardt and Oscar Banter made a tour of the community and found enough people to donate money to make the necessary repairs. Men and boys of the congregation did the work of removing the floor and refinishing the furniture.

By the spring of 1951, attendance had grown until more classroom space was needed. Two classrooms were added (now the prayer room and balcony). Some money had been donated for the changes and the men of the church did the labor. In 1955, Rev. Ray Gant assumed charge of the work for the addition of the basement, indoor restroom and an entrance on the south side of the church. The cost was over $5000 but all the labor was donated. There was no building fund, but when the changes were complete, all costs had been paid in full.

Dillman Church’s first Homecoming and Rally Day was held in 1960 using the basement facilities. Water was carried from a home across the road for the functions. The church added a water well in the fall of 1961 while Rev. Dick Frederick was pastor.

A major project was completed in 1977 as a fellowship hall, kitchen, bathrooms and nursery were added to the west side of the church in a 44’ X 60’ structure. An auction was held at the parsonage to begin the fund. With the exception of two phases of the construction, the labor was completed by the men, women, children and friends of the church. The Lee brothers, Keith and Roger, ran the cement slab for the hall. Ralph Taylor plastered the ceilings. The project was completed for a total cost of almost $35,000.

Another major project was started in the fall of 1993 for a classroom addition attached on the west side of the fellowship hall. This addition contained several classrooms, a larger nursery, rest rooms and office space for the pastor and secretary. The addition was complete in the fall of 1994.

Property Acquisitions

Two parcels of land have been acquired which has allowed for church expansion. In 1975, Violet Banter donated the property to the north, presently being used for a playground. In 1976 the Theodore Allen property to the south was purchased and the parking lot expanded.

Church Parsonage

The Salamonie Circuit, the Van Buren Circuit, the Warren Circuit, the Mt. Zion-Dillman Circuit and Dillman-Fairview Circuit were yoked for a few years in the early 1970’s. Mt. Zion and Dillman owned the parsonage which was located in Warren. When the Mt. Zion Church was disbanded, it was decided to sell that parsonage and purchase a parsonage closer to Dillman Church. The parsonage located at 10358 W 700 S, Warren was purchased in the spring of 1967.

Looking Toward the Future

Over 100 years ago, the forefathers and leaders of the Dillman Church began what has been a very rich and colorful heritage for this community.

The Church of the United Brethren in Christ began a process of reorganization in recent years; therefore denominational structure has changed significantly, and may continue to change over the next few years.

Almost fifty years ago, Rev. Richard Frederick, in a college thesis wrote:

“Dillman U.B. Church has had a fine, picturesque history. From present indications it looks like it can expect a glorious future also. As long as those people act on the faith that they have seen displayed in their forefathers, they will continue to have a true light-house for God in this rural community in Jackson township, Wells County, Indiana.”

Today that faith and God’s Spirit are still very evident in the people of Dillman Church.

Our Church Through the Years

First Church Structure

Later Improvements