History — Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

ThE SEED IS SOWN

For some years before Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church was started in Thompson, men of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Fairport were on a committee to find a building site and build a church on the south side of Painesville. Many families living in south Painesville felt that a church there would better suit their needs. Since the people living in Fairport would then be inconvenienced to have to drive to Painesville to church, the sentiment grew to form another congregation south of Painesville. In the spring of 1954, Dr. G. A. Aho, Pastor of the Fairport congregation, received and accepted a call from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod to serve in the Free Lutheran Church of Finland. He was released from the congregation and Pastor P.J. Frusti accepted the call to Immanuel. During the time between the departure of Dr. Aho in the spring of 1954 and the arrival of Pastor Frusti in the fall, the Immanuel congregation was served by Vicar Edmond Aho. This was also the summer that the Leroy Country Store was built and before fixtures were moved in, the ladies of the Leroy-Thompson area of Immanuel were given permission to hold a fish fry in the store building. The ladies’ project at that time was to raise money to pay for a complete set of dishes from a restaurant in Chardon that had just closed. After Pastor Frusti arrived there was much discussion during the fall and winter about starting a new congregation in the Leroy-Thompson area.

First Meetings

The Sunday school teachers of Immanuel and the Board held a special meeting on October 25, 1954. Pastor Frusti opened the meeting with prayer and then proceeded to present the problems of the Sunday School in regard to the crowded conditions. One of the Board members asked for the teacher’s opinions on using the school across the street for Sunday school. After much discussion it was felt that if we used the school we would all the children there, and few of them would return for church services. Rev. Frusti brought up the idea of relocation the church. A new church building at the back of the church was suggested to take care of the Sunday School and education purposes. One of the Board members thought a mission program south of Painesville would relieve the crowded conditions in the Sunday school. The meeting was inconclusive. The congregational meeting of Immanuel on January 16, 1955 gave its approval to the people in the Leroy-Thompson area to start a mission church to be known as The Immanuel Lutheran Mission. The Mission Sunday School teachers were to continue to meet with the Immanuel teachers. On the evening of January 23, 1955 the members of the Immanuel Lutheran Mission met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Sippola. Members attending the meeting were: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Heckel, Mr. and Mrs. Everett Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Sippola, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Sippola, Mrs. Esther Lipovich, Mrs. Neal Kangas, and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Lindrose. Pastor Frusti attended as counselor. Officers for the mission were elected as follows: President, Mr. Lawrence Heckel; Secretary, Mr. Albert Sippola; Financial Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. Walter Lindrose. Elected as chairman of publicity was Mr. Everett Jackson; Reporter, Mrs. Bernice Jackson; Header Usher, Walter Lindrose; and Organist, Miss Janice Sippola. After discussion it was decided to hold Sunday school at 1:00 p.m. and worship at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Frusti mentioned the fact that we needed an alter, cross and candle sticks. This matter was to be taken care of by the church officers. It was decided that the church officers serve as Brotherhood officers as well. Mrs. Elvie Sippola was to buy permanent record books. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. Pastor Frusti led us in closing prayer after which several hymns were sung. Pastor Frusti agreed to conduct the Sunday afternoon services and Pastor Bickel of Zion Lutheran Church, Painesville, also agreed to donate his time for the afternoon services. The Brakeman Community Church, Leroy, was rented for $20 a month as the church’s first meeting place.

ThE FIRST SERVICES

The first service of the mission was held Sunday, February 6, 1955. At the service the attendance was 55 souls. Sunday School attendance was 25. Offerings for this first service were $31.02. The Sunday School staff consisted of: Raymond Sippola, Superintendent; Retta Sippola, Bernice Jackson, Elvie Sippola, Elsie Lindrose, and added later were Ruth Tuori, Edward Pudimat, Olga Spring, Jean Heckel and Karen Heckel. The subsequent services rapidly grew in number attending, so that as a result the mission found it unnecessary to apply for mission subsidy from its very beginning. This was truly a soul uplifting and spiritually fulfilling experience for all those who had the privilege of working and serving during these beginning months. Here were the fruits of God’s Word in our midst. Weeks of calling on people in the area, telling of the new church being started to better serve them and bring them closer to God, were here reflected. A spiritual glow and missionary zeal filled the air. No task was too big or too small. Every job was tackled with zeal and enthusiasm.

Decision to Organize Made

On February 25, 1955 the Mission Church held a meeting with several pastors from the area. Before the meeting Pastor Heino of Ashtabula delivered a sermon. The other pastors present were: P.J. Frusti, Fairport; O. Bickel, Painesville; and V. V. Latvala, Cleveland. In the meeting following the sermon, it was stated that there was a need for a Lutheran Church in the area, and that for years people living in the area who were members of Immanuel, Fairport held services once a month in their homes, being served by Dr. G. A, Aho and Dr. F. J. Pies. A Leroy-Thompson Ladies Guild Branch of Immanuel had been organized a year before this time. Also in the area Missouri Synod groups had met informally for many years for worship and fellowship. Pastor Frusti spoke on the requirements of organizing. Pastor Latvala stated that the National and Missouri Synods were drawing closer together on the national level. Pastor Bickel said he would be encouraging his members who live in the area to attend these services. It was stated that after the church was organized the need of a full time pastor would arise. Salary was discussed. A committee to draw up a constitution was appointed and was as follows: Roland Tuori, Robert Scheller, John Dressler, Everett Jackson, Lawrence Heckel and Walter Lindrose. Expressions of encouragement for the mission were given by Pastor Latvala at the close of the meeting. Pastor J. E. Nopola, President of the National Evangelical Lutheran Synod was contacted by a committee of two, about the possibility of supplying the new congregation with the services of a vicar. He assured the committee that it was quite probable that their request would be granted.

The Organization meeting

The organization meeting of the Mission Church was held on April 24, 1955. There were 43 charter members at this meeting. The name of the congregation was voted on first and the name Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church was adopted. The congregation would seek membership in the Nation Evangelical Lutheran Church (Synod). The Constitution was then voted upon and accepted. The election of officers was made for the newly organized church, with the following results: President, Lawrence Heckel; Vice President, Raymond Sippola; Secretary, Jacob Rabatin; Financial Secretary, Albert Sippola; Treasurer, Walter Lindrose; and Deacon, Edward Pudimat. Sunday School Superintendent was Raymond Sippola, with the Assistant Superintendent being Edward Pudimat. Miss Janice Sippola was elected to be the organist. Pastor Frusti then read a letter from President J. E. Nopola stating that Vicar Harold Kallio would be here for a period of one year and that he would arrive in June. The congregation gave the Board permission to take the necessary steps to incorporate the church under the laws of the State of Ohio.

The first v.b.s.

During this period of organization the Sunday school staff was very active in Sunday school work, self-study courses and in getting Vacation Bible School organized. The Brakeman Community Church gave us permission to use their church bus. The Leroy School was rented, materials were ordered from the National Publishing House and the women of the church made their own art projects.

FIRST FULL-TIME PASTOR ARRIVES

Vicar Kallio arrived in time to be present at the July 3, 1955 Board meeting. After a very successful Vacation Bible School, a closing program was held at the Brakeman Church on Friday night, July 22.

a church site is found

At the congregational meeting of July 14, 1944 the congregation received the news that the request for a loan from the Extension Fund of the N.E.L.C. had not been granted. The loan application had been made to enable the new church to purchase the Stein property on S.R. 86 and Leroy-Thompson road. It was felt that the barn could have been remodeled into a church. It was decided at this meeting to forget this piece of property and to look for another site. A Building Committee was appointed consisting of Larry Rohlfing, John Dressler, Ronald Tuori, Jacob Rabatin, and Walter Lindrose. At a subsequent meeting on September 4, 1955 Everett Jackson was added to this committee and later, Lawrence Heckel and Albert Sippola. The Building Committee reported at the September 4th meeting that the Howard Lowrence’s had offered approximately 8 acres of their property at a nominal price to be used as the church site. The decision to purchase the property was agreed upon.

parish house is planned

At the March 22, 1956 quarterly meeting of the congregation, the plans for the present Parish House were approved. The first anniversary festivities were held on Church property on April 29, 1956. At a special Board meeting held on the same day, acting under previous congregational approval, a motion to accept Adolph Luhta Construction Company’s bid of $19,993.54 for construction of the Parish House was approved. The Chardon Savings Bank was contacted for the construction loan which was granted. Ground breaking ceremonies were held and construction started at June 11, 1956. A cornerstone laying ceremony was held at the church site on July 1, 1956. After construction was completed Jake Rabatin and Ben Grigus built and installed the kitchen cabinetry and counter tops.

Vicar Harold Kallio left us in August 1956 after serving us in his vicarage year to continue his studies in the Seminary. Mr. John Mattson arrived in August 1956 to begin serving his vicarage year in our midst.

Parish house dedicated, Parsonage built

On September 16, 1956 a milestone was reached in the life of our congregation with the dedication of our new Parish House to the glory of God and the salvation of men. By the end of the year 1956, our communicant membership had grown to 86 and our Sunday School to 87. Our Vacation Bible School for 1956 had an enrollment of 135 children. At the annual meeting in January 1957 the Building Committee’s report included the proposal for the construction of a parsonage. At the following quarterly meeting held on April 27, 1957 Vicar Mattson spoke on the need of a parsonage. The congregation approved the motion for construction of a parsonage, the Church Extension Fund was asked for a loan and we received the necessary funds to build. Construction of the parsonage was started in June 1957 and was built by the men of the congregation. It was completed in the winter of 1957 and dedicated February 11, 1958.

First Pastor Installed

Upon completion of his last year at the Seminary, Rev. Kallio accepted a call from our congregation and he was installed as our pastor on July 14, 1957. After experiencing considerable growth in the next 3 years, at a special congregation meeting June 12, 1960, approval of a plan of adding a vestibule and office on the present Parish House was approved. Men of the church headed by Ed Pudimat and Jake Rabatin built the addition.

Construction of the new church

In 1964 a Building Committee was formed to make concrete plans and to investigate possibilities of building a new sanctuary. During 1965 various examples of church architecture were studied in an effort to determine what would be best for Grace. After receiving Building Committee recommendations the congregation selected the firm of Visnapu and Gaede on July 25, 1965. Subsequent activities of the Building Committee consisted of several meetings with the architects to draw up preliminary sketches. In the spring of 1966 the preliminary drawings submitted were approved by the congregation. John M. Soderstrom and Son of Ashtabula, Inc. was awarded the contract in the amount of $110,000.00. Funding for the project was secured through a loan from Lake County Federal Savings and Loan Association. Groundbreaking for the new church was on April 30, 1967. The new edifice was dedicated to the glory and honor of God on April 28, 1968.

Pastor Ruff ASsumes office of pastor

At a special congregational meeting January 11, 1970, Pastor Rantala was granted his request for a peaceful release from Grace Lutheran Church. At a special congregational call meeting, March 1, 1970, the congregation extended a call to Rev. Richard Ruff. By the guidance of God, Pastor Ruff accepted the call and was installed as the new Pastor on May 10, 1970.

Pipe organ installed and dedicated

In January of 1970, Reinhart Gertz, church organist and choir director, arranged for the purchase and removal of a pipe organ from a chapel in Cleveland. Mr. Gertz, with the help of congregational members, installed the pipe organ in the choir loft of the new church. Each tiny wire and all of the parts had to be reassembled, repaired if needed, and then installed. The work was completed by the autumn of 1970 and the organ was dedicated at the 10:30 a.m. service on November 15, 1970. A special dedicatory concert was held later that afternoon with both Pastor Ruff, an accomplished organist, and Reinhart Gertz playing.

Congregation releases pastor

Pastor Richard Ruff was granted a peaceful release from Grace Lutheran Church on December 8, 1974, to be effective December 31. Rev. Donald Heino served as our interim pastor for the duration of the vacancy. Rev. George Fyler III conducted the worship services as well as the adult bible class at their regular scheduled times. During that time of loss, the members of the congregation assumed additional responsibilities in order to sustain and improve the condition of the congregation.

New Pastor arrives

Rev. Charles F. Pieplow accepted our call and served us from March 7, 1976 to August 19, 1979. At that time he accepted a call to be a hospital chaplain in Birmingham, Alabama. Under Pastor Pieplow’s encouragement and guidance our church became a Hunger Task Force distribution center and a Geauga County Senior Meal Site Center in June of 1976. Our members Mariann Van Pelt, director, and Mary Schumer, who had been with the meal site program since its inception, coordinated the program serving meals and organizing activities. From this beginning until February 2005, the Meal Site continued to serve the community senior citizens. The center was closed due to lack of county funding in February. From August 1979 to October 1980, Rev. Jerrold Collins of Holy Cross, Madison served as our supply Pastor and Rev. Fyler III again conducted the services. The time he served as an associate pastor for the nominal amount of $1.00 per year.

Post 2000

On April 30, 2000, Rev. Ross W. Fees was installed as our Pastor. He and his wife, Elaine, moved into the parsonage in June having prepared their Dayton home for sale. The SS and Mission committee continued their activities. Along with the Ladies Guild, food baskets are collected and distributed to needy families suggested by Geauga County Family Services at both Christmas and Thanksgiving. Four families are generally served at each holiday. At Christmas a tree is dedicated with ornaments giving the age and gender of the children in the families. The SS students with their families choose ornaments and purchase the gifts to be distributed with the food baskets. Other members of the congregation also participate in the purchase of these gifts. The SS students also use a mitten and hat tree in a similar manner to collect items that are then given to be distributed to inner city families. On February 2, 2003, Verbal Scheller, a charter member of our congregation, was called home to her eternal rest. Verbal and her husband, Bob, had been active members from the beginning. It was Verbal’s wish to bequeath their home and property to their church, Grace Lutheran. The congregation decided to designate a portion of the proceeds to the organ fund as a lasting memorial to Bob and Verbal Scheller. Our gratitude to the Schellers cannot be put into words but the organ music we hear at each worship will always remind us of this most generous gift. In the summer of 2004, southeastern Ohio was hit by devastating flooding. The mission committee became aware of the Southeastern Ohio Disaster Relief Network (SEODRN) that is administered by the Lutheran Social Services. They were in need of almost anything to aid the flood victims. A 6’x7’x12’ trailer load was collected and sent along with $800 designated for building supplies. Two shipments of quilts have also been sent to SEODRN. A “noisy offering” collected at one worship service a month by the Sunday school students along with other donations and matching funds from a donor are used to fund mission committee outreach. This includes the support of the Houges, our current missionary family in Ghana, Building Hope in the City of Cleveland, LWL mite boxes, SEODRN and others.