Scott Fairchild, a North Manchester
police officer, was patrolling on North Walnut street about 2:00 a.m. on the
morning of January 7, 1998 when he detected smoke from the Manchester Church of
the Brethren. A quick look at basement windows showed live flames on the ceiling
of the kitchen. His alarm brought the fire department and Pastor Susan Boyer
called several members of the congregation including the custodian, John Dome, a
firefighter from the Sidney Department. Other alarms brought firefighters from
ten other departments: Chester, Pleasant, Henry and Noble townships, Roann,
Bippus, Silver Lake, Wabash, Urbana and Sidney. Police officers and Traffic
Assistance Patrol officers also gave important assistance.
At first, there was hope that the fire might be contained in the education wing
but the flames continued to spread to other parts of the church. Soon fire was
visible on the north end of the roof and as it crept toward the south
firefighters brought furniture including a piano out of the Jubilee Room.
A crowd gathered. Soon the media arrived. Hurried plans were made to have a
worship service on the front lawn that evening, and later in the day
arrangements were made to have Sunday morning services at Manchester High School
Performing Arts Center the following Sunday. By midday investigators from the
State Fire Marshalls office and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms were on site to conduct the formal investigation of the fire. The
number of church fires in recent months has led to the federal requirement that
the cause of every church fire must be determined by this agency.
Meantime the battle with the fire continued. The roof of the main expanse over
the sanctuary collapsed and eventually fell into the basement in a jumble of
great charred timbers. Firefighters were on the scene through Wednesday night
because of hot spots and Thursday morning smoke was rolling from the area. As
much as six feet of water was pumped out of the basement. Some 175,000 gallons
of water were used fighting the fire.
This fire destroyed one of the landmarks of the town of North Manchester. The
first church house on Walnut street was erected in 1881. It was brick 40 x 60
feet and cost $3300. Members of the Building Committee were: Daniel Horning,
Stephen C. Ulrey and John Miller. The Dedicatory sermon was preached by Elder R.
H. Miller, Sr.
The first German Baptist Brethren (Church of the Brethren since 1908) came to
this area from Montgomery county, Ohio. Joseph Harter and wife settled on Eel
River in 1836. Their son Eli and his wife built the second residence in North
Manchester and soon after, their daughter became the first child born in North
Manchester. Other settlers followed:. Daniel Swank, Samuel Ulrey, Jacob Cripe,
Jacob Swihart, Jacob Metzger with wives and families. William Moss came from
Mexico, Indiana and preached occasionally.
In 1852 the original congregation was divided into the Eel River and the
Manchester congregations. During these early years worship services were held in
houses and barns of the members. Many members only understood Pennsylvania Dutch
and some preachers preached in Dutch and some in English.
The initial building was torn down in 1907 to make way for a larger church
house. A committee of seven was chosen to direct the work and solicit funds.
John Delauter was chair, E. L. Lautzenhiser, John P. Dickey, Jacob Baker, Jacob
Warner, John Fouts, and Samuel Haines. On the first Sunday of January, 1908, the
Dedicatory sermon was preached by Dr. P. B. Fitzwater, then a teacher at the
College.
With the continued growth of the church there was desperate need for Sunday
school space and in 1925 an addition was built to the east side of the church to
provide class rooms.
Growth continued. In September, 1950 a new cornerstone was laid with Edward
Kintner as the Elder and H. F. Richards the Pastor. Members of the Building
Committee were Clay Syler, H. E. Leedy, Robert Cussen, Mrs. V. F. Schwalm and
William Hartsough. The Dedicatory service was November 4, 1951 with Dr. Rufus D.
Bowman, President Bethany Biblical Seminary preaching. During this remodeling
all services were held in the Manchester College chapel.
In 1950 noteworthy changes included reversing the chancel to the north end of
the building, all new pews and the carpeting of the sanctuary.
In 1982 another addition provided more rest rooms, a social room and
accessibility for all. The addition currently being built provided updated
Church School space and was planned to bring the offices into the church
building. The new construction was not damaged in the fire.