Salem Reformed Church (Toledo, OH)

In the early 1890's, First Reformed Church was the only church of that denomination in Toledo. Many members lived in South Toledo, so the challenge was made to create a mission church in this area. Mr. Ebergardt Gerkins, a member of First Church, purchased four lots on the corner of Stebbins and Prouty in April 1893. It was then that a chapel was built and a community of people began worshiping. Originally 25 members of First Church and 33 people from the neighborhood held church services on Sunday afternoons when the Rev. Gerkins of First Church was available. In June of 1893, Reverend John Wernly came to the mission church and helped to formally organize Evangelical Reformed Salem Church. All classes and services were held in German. With the help of Mission Board loans, Salem laid the cornerstone of the current church in 1896. In order to reach more people, the services, meetings, and Sunday school were conducted in English instead of German. Pastors include: Organizer M. H. Gesman 1893-1911 Johannes Wernly 1911-1916 F. W. Kratz 1917-1922 H. F. Hilgemann 1922-1926 J. F. Vornholt 1927-1959 Carl T. Roeck 1959-1969 John J. Rainey 1969-1973 James Freeman, Jr. 1974-1980 Ronald Patterson 1981-1985 Tom Blossom 1986-1996 Boteler Badenhop 1997-1999 Donna Knobloch