The Early Years

In the 1880s, a nucleus of people began meeting together in the Waynesboro community with the hope of seeing a United Brethren congregation develop. They met together in the Jason Bell Pottery Shop on South Potomac Street, in a room above the Adams and Cline Plumbing Shop on the square, and in the Fairview School building on West Main Street. Still later, the majority of the meetings were held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Noah Spangler.

In 1900, Rev. W.R. Burkholder was assigned as the pastor to the group. He was succeeded by the Rev. Peter Nicklas who was instrumental in leading the congregation in building its first sanctuary for worship and helping the congregation formally join together as a United Brethren congregation. Rev. Nicklas loaned the funds for the initial building, and Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Piper donated the land at Cleveland, Hamilton and Third Streets. The original building was 29 feet by 39 feet and cost $1,480 and was dedicated on October 20, 1901, debt free.

During the early years of the congregation, the church met at its location which became known as the church on the “triangle.” The church grew in number and needed to enter into a number of building projects to make room for those who attended. In 1911, a parsonage was added to the church under the leadership of Rev. George Perry. In 1921, a 60-foot by 46-foot Sunday school addition was added under the leadership of Rev. Earl W. Shoap. In 1932, the men of the church excavated a portion of the basement to provide additional Sunday school classrooms. Because of the continued growth in the Sunday school program, the men of the church excavated the ground under the original church building in 1947–1948 to provide for additional classes. This project was done under the leadership of Rev. A.E. Martin.

A New Location

By the early 1950s, worship attendance was near 175 people, and Sunday school attendance was approaching 300 people. In July 1953, under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Leroy Perry, an agreement was entered into with Wayne Homes, Inc., to acquire a parcel of ground (376 feet by 192 feet) located on the corner of Park and Ninth Streets. The property was donated to the church by Wayne Homes, Inc., and the first unit was built at the new location in 1958. The unit was primarily for Christian education, but included a temporary sanctuary. The original buildings were sold in 1960, and a new Williamsburg Colonial style house was built on the southern corner of the property to be used as a parsonage for the pastor. The house continues to be used for that purpose today.

In 1965, as the congregation was nearing the completion of the payment of the indebtedness for the parsonage and first unit, plans were made to build the main sanctuary. Rev. George E. Weaver was the pastor at that time, and on March 19, 1967, ground was broken for the new structure which is the present-day church sanctuary and fellowship room. The first unit was also renovated with the total project costing more than $425,000. In today’s dollars, the property would have easily cost more than $1 million. Because of the sacrificial giving of the congregation, the entire debt was paid off by 1980.

Sending People Out for Ministry

Throughout the years, Otterbein Church has not only focused on reaching the community for Christ, but has also focused on reaching the world for Christ. Beginning in the mid-80s, Otterbein has given a significant amount of money to be used for world missions. Otterbein has had a number of their own leave the church and commit to full-time missionary service for various lengths of time. They include Mildred Kuhn, Susan (Saterbak) Martin, Rick and Emily (Bailey) Everswick, Rod and Brenda Redding, and Dave and Jane Arends. Otterbein has also sent more than 100 people (students and adults) in various short-term projects throughout the world during the last two decades.

Otterbein has also had a number of people who have committed to enter into full-time ministry within the local church setting. Among those who have in recent years committed to serve include: Joel Leckron, Les and Ann Kauffman, Ed and Pam Daley, Christopher Motz, and Jim and Julie Pryor.

The Growing Years and
Additional Facility Expansion

In the mid-1980s, the church began another season of growth in worship attendance. To accommodate the increased growth, the church decided to add an additional worship service on Sunday mornings. In August 1991, the church renovated the front of the sanctuary to allow for growth in the choir, and the pulpit was moved to the center of the platform. The lobby area was also expanded at that time to allow for greater room for fellowship between worship services.

In 1993, the Otterbein Church purchased the Keystone Ford property to the south of the church. The building was renovated into the current Otterbein Ministry Center. Most of the work was completed by the members and attenders of the church and was dedicated to the Lord's service in November 1995. The final completion of the Otterbein Ministry Center was done in the fall of 1996. The Otterbein Ministry Center is home to the Waynesboro Senior Center which has leased space from the church since 1995. From 1995 until 2004, the Biblical Education Center leased space in the Ministry Center. It has also become a facility regularly used by the church and community for all kinds of events and ministries.

In the fall of 1997, the lobby area of the church was again renovated to allow for the relocation of the resource center and the church library to the main level of the church. The church also added a third worship service in 1998 along with a second Sunday school hour to allow for more space for those who attend. The nursery area was expanded multiple times during the 1990s and along with other Sunday school classrooms which have been relocated or renovated to provide additional ministry space.

In the spring of 2000, the Otterbein Church purchased the Star Electric property located on the north side of the Ministry Center to be used as a youth center and additional classroom space. The men and women of the church again did most of the work themselves in preparing the facility for ministry use.

During 2003, the leadership of Otterbein Church made a decision to relocate the facilities of Otterbein Church to allow for expanded growth and ministries in the years ahead. In February 2004, Otterbein Church purchased land (52 acres) on Welty Road in the Borough of Waynesboro that will be developed in the years ahead.

Since the mid-1980s, Otterbein Church has experienced many changes. The church staff grew from two full-time staff to 10 full-time staff. The children and youth ministries exploded with students. New ministries were added to help people grow into “reproducing disciples of Jesus Christ.” Average worship attendance grew from 305 in 1989 to more than 800. Giving increased to just a little over $1.5 million. And most importantly, many people committed their lives to Jesus Christ and have grown closer to Him through the ministry of Otterbein Church.

Our Pastors and Staff

The following ministers have served Otterbein Church: 1900—W.R. Burkholder; 1901—Peter Nicklas; 1902—J.E. Croft; 1903—J.C. Pease; 1904—Samuel Coble; 1905–1909—J.W. Brubaker; 1909–1911—George E. Perry; 1911–1915—Ezra M. Funk; 1915–1918—J.C. Coulson; 1918–1925—Earl W. Shoap; 1925–1937—N.W. Brechbiel; 1937–1952—A.E. Martin; 1952–1959—Leroy L. Perry; 1959–1969—George E. Weaver; 1969–1977—Wilber L. Sites, Jr.; 1977–1988—Ronald L. Cook; and 1988–present—Michael V. Newman.

The following have served as Associate Pastors: Burton M. Lange, Michael V. Newman, Wilber L. Sites, Jr., W. Christopher Motz, K. Allan Mummert, William Schuit, Rick Everswick, Jeff Tomlian and John Mullen (present). David Besecker serves as Director of Music and Worship (1988–present). Denise Lancaster serves as Director of Communications and Multimedia Ministries (2002–present). Craig Schuler serves as Director of Student Ministries (2003–present). Greg Stoner serves as the Director of Facilities (2001–present), Chris Bauer serves as Director of Elementary Ministries (2005–present) and Heather Blount serves as Director of Preschool Ministries (2007-present).