History

Otterbein United Methodist Church has a rich history. The church came into being through the missionary spirit of the United Brethren in Christ community and more especially in Lancaster’s Covenant UB Church which saw a need for ministry in a section of northeast Lancaster. (The EUBs united with kindred Methodists in 1968 to form the United Methodist Church). Covenant Church organized a Church School and Otterbein Church soon followed. Covenant Church also provided financial backing when needed. On September 7, 1902, at two o’clock the Otterbein United Brethren Sunday School was first held at 820 North Queen Street. Within a month the little Sunday School had a membership of seventy, and in two more years the Church would become a reality.

In 1903 a Covenant-appointed property committee purchased a house at 733 North Queen Street, then on March 14, 1904 deeded it to the newly forming Otterbein Church. In April of that year the Church School, now with a membership of one hundred seventy, moved into the new building. The Reverand J.B. Funk was chosen as missionary Pastor at the Quarterly Conference (much like our Charge Conference) held at Covenant Church with The Reverend D.D. Lowery presiding. On November 27, 1904, the Church was formally organized in a celebrative service. Covenant Pastor, The Reverend E.A.G. Bossler, delivered the homily. Seventy-two people were considered charter members, of which thirty were transferred from the Mother Church. By 1905 ground was broken for a chapel and by 1906 Otterbein became independent of Covenant. Reverend Allen G. Nye was appointed the first Pastor of an independent Otterbein UB Church. Covenant continued to offer spiritual, moral and financial support. In 1909 ground was broken for an addition to the south end of the Chapel.

Growth was phenomenal. In 1916 a building fund for a new sanctuary was launched bandying about the slogan, “A Church on the Corner by 1920.” On October 10, 1926, our present magnificent sanctuary was dedicated. The membership at the time was four hundred fifty-six. In 1952 dedicatory services were held for a most accommodating Children’s Educational Building. During the Pastorate of Reverend D. Leroy Fegley, Otterbein’s membership reached nearly one thousand.