05/30/2026
This one is long, but worth it!
For the past several weeks, we've been sharing photographs from our historical archives—snapshots of more than 130 years of ministry, worship, fellowship, and service. From the humble beginnings of the South Street Mission, to The Gospel Tabernacle of the Christian & Missionary Alliance on Brown Street, and eventually to Riverside Alliance Church on South Main Street in Coventry Township, these images have helped tell the story of a congregation that has faithfully followed God's leading through many seasons.
Today, we've reached the end of our collection of photographs. While there are undoubtedly more pictures tucked away in attics, albums, and boxes, we've shared all that we currently have scanned, copies, enhanced, and color corrected. It's been quite a project, but worth it. For our final post, we wanted to do something special.
Rather than share another photograph, we'd like to honor the legacy of one of our longtime members, Gene Baumgardner, whose testimony reminds us that the true story of Riverside has never been about a building. It has always been about people—people whose lives were touched by God's grace and whose faithfulness helped shape the generations that followed. Get the tissues.
Gene's story is only one among many. We wish we had the space to share the testimony of EVERY member, every family, every volunteer, every Sunday School teacher, every worship leader, every person who made coffee, shoveled snow, visited the sick, prayed faithfully, and quietly served behind the scenes. Together, they are OUR legacy of faith.
As we look toward the possibility of being grafted together with Cornerstone Church, Gene's testimony reminds us of an important truth: the church is not brick and mortar. It is not a name on a sign, nor the address where people gather. The church is a community of believers joined together in Christ. Buildings may change. Congregations may merge. Ministries may take new forms. But the work God has done through His people continues.
The story of Riverside did not begin with a building, and it will not end with one.
As you read Gene's testimony, we invite you to reflect on your own memories. What people helped shape your faith journey? What moments at Riverside made a difference in your life? We'd love to hear your stories in the comments.
Thank you for joining us on this journey through our history. More importantly, thank you to everyone who has been part of it.
The legacy continues...
TURNING POINTS OF MY LIFE
The Many People and Events that Made it Happen
Personally written by Gene Baumgardner (December 2015)
INTRODUCTION:
My wife, Nancy, and my friend, Gino, have been encouraging me to write my story for my kids and grand-kids for a while. A May 2015 fishing trip to Canada with my son and grandsons, has spurred me to action to write my story while I can. In our casual conversations, I realized that even my son knew very little about me. I hope my story is encouraging and helpful to them and they can see some life changing moments and even get a few laughs as they read it. I don’t fancy myself a writer, but I will do the best I can. From my position now as a senior citizen, and still able to remember these events and decisions is surprising.
If I could change anything from the past there would be very little that I would change. I believe the words from the Bible that say “God works all things out together to those who love him (God).” Said another way, God makes bad things good but even more, God makes good things better. Since there is very little I would change, I do however, enjoy reviewing and talking about how things became turning points in my life—events, good and bad; people, mostly good; and decisions, some good and some not so good.
A major turning point in my life is when at the age of eight years old, I felt like I lost my whole world. My 14 month old baby sister died and I dropped out of life for a couple years with no help. I was left alone to try to figure out this devastating event. The result was that I avoided school for over half a year and was held back in 2nd grade. Filled with anger, third grade was the same so I started out two years behind. This changed my whole life. Before I finish this story I hope to show that God makes bad things good and good things better.
There are many people who have been an influence for good in my life’s journey. Some are pictured and/or named in my testimony.
THE BEGINNING:
I’ll just start with the woman who gave birth to me on March 22, 1936 in Westmoreland County Pennsylvania. Her name was Annamae Lunt. She had a difficult start in life. Her mother (my grandmother) died when my mom was only 11 years old. My mom came from a large family of nine children so her father placed their kids in an orphanage where they remained for three or four years. She was the caretaker for two of her younger siblings while in the orphanage as well as when they all got out. She had to be very responsible at an early age.
At the age of 15 my mom made some decisions that led down a difficult road. She was never taught how to make wise decisions or understand consequences. She got involved with an older man (21 years old) who said he loved her. He took advantage of her youth and her lack of love. He told her he wanted to marry her. She believed him. She got pregnant and I was the result. My biological father left town and my mother and me to get out of the situation. I’ve never seen him or even a picture of him or met any of his relatives. It was just the two of us. For about two years my grandfather (moms’ father) wanted nothing to do with my mom or me. If this whole scenario were today I probably would not be here. I believe my mother would have been forced to have an abortion.
We lived in some less than desirable housing. I’m not sure but I think it was a slightly remodeled chicken coop. We sometimes lived with an uncle and aunt. At the age of 18 mom met and married a man who became my dad. That he was not my birth father was my family’s secret for many years. In fact, although others knew, I knew nothing about it until I was married with my own family. The way I found out was that a younger brother called me one day to let me know we were only half brothers. It was hard for me to believe it and also difficult to tell my wife that I am not who I thought I was. It didn’t seem to make any difference to her for which I was very grateful. While working on road construction in West Virginia, I stayed with my mom during the week. We had the opportunity to talk together about it. She had wanted to tell me about the whole thing long before, but was advised by an Attorney friend and others to just let it go. That it was in the past and not to bother to bring it up. This was not very good advice because the way I found out about it was very difficult for me. Since my birth father died in California when I was nine years old, I had no opportunity to meet him, see him or a picture of him. I would still like to see a photo of what he looked like. I just recently obtained more information about him by my sister Karen’s efforts on the computer but still don't have a picture.
My mother had seven more children after my birth. At the time of this writing there are only three kids left, me, the oldest; David, the youngest; and one of the twins, Karen. The other twin, Sharon was killed by a drunk driver; sister, Mary Margaret died very young; while sister, Patricia, brothers Ollie and Jerry died later in life. My mom had all these kids by the time she was 30.
As I found out my story that my dad wasn’t my father, I began to recall the abuse directed at me and my mom from my dad—physical beatings and the much undeserved treatment without any actions of love or attention. I didn’t know any difference. I just thought everyone was treated this way. As I look back and analyze my situation we were very poor because my dad spent all his money on drinking. I remember my mother trying to find something for me to eat for breakfast or lunch, sometimes going to school hungry.
A DEVASTATING TURNING POINT:
On top of all this, I consider one of the most devastating things I had to face was the death of my little sister, Mary Margaret at 14 months old. I was in 2nd grade at the time. As my mom had five kids at this time and was expecting twins, Mary Margaret became like my own baby. She was my whole world. I did everything for her. She would run to meet me (“Ge-Ge”) when I got home from school and she showed me the love that I was missing in my life. She had contracted measles and then meningitis. I was very angry that they put her in the hospital. Somehow, at age 8, I thought I could take better care of her at home and she wouldn't have died. Now, at almost 80, I still have difficulty talking about her. In fact my mother seemed to be more concerned how to tell me that Mary died. She was afraid of how I might react. You never know what goes on in a 2nd graders mind. In 1946, in a lot of homes, the caskets were in the homes. I can remember praying and believing that she was not really dead and that she would be back in my life. But of course that didn't happen. I was not a believer at this time so I was hurt and disappointed.
I became very angry and didn't care about anything or anybody and it seemed like no one else cared either. I struggled through grade school. I became very angry; a bully, fighter, destructive. People who cared about their kids wouldn’t let them run with me and since I didn’t care about school I just didn't go. I played hooky, going into the woods and I would tell the teachers I was needed at home. Now that I look back I think my teachers were glad when I stayed away because of my attitude and lack of interest in school as well as my disrespect. I was held back two years in a row... 2nd and 3rd grade. I knew and used every swear word anytime, any place. One thing I didn't do is smoke ci******es. As a young grade school kid I was already headed down a dead end path. In 5th and 6th grade I started to drink beer and alcohol. I remember hiding, hoping my dad would forget he “owed” me a beating. I would spend many hours on the Monongahela River swimming and fishing so I didn't have to go home to a beating. I do remember thinking about the day that I would be ready and able to take my dad down. It was getting close. Remember that this was during my grade school years.
Some of the bad or even dangerous things I’ve done are recalled here. As I said, I was headed the wrong way fast. I used to swim across the Monongahela River, about 2 tenths of a mile wide. A friend dared me to try to pick up sand from the bottom, over 30 ft. deep. Not wise. Another dangerous thing was that across the river was a set of train tracks with a cliff about 300 ft high made up of loose shell. It appeared as a challenge to climb in my bare feet and about ½ way up fear set in and I couldn't go back down. I knew if I fell, I would mess up the tracks so I kept going.
Another time I climbed up a bridge like structure where coal was placed on a conveyor to be loaded into coal barges on the river. Once I got to the top where there was a window and saw how high this was, I thought I just better go back down, but one of the workers saw me and started to come after me, so my only option was to dive out the window. I thought I would never enter the water but I did and I got away.
Since I was an angry boy, fighting was kind of fun. At about the age of 14, there was a man home from the Navy who wanted to fight me because I did a number on his brother. I remember waiting until he started to take his Navy pea coat off and then did what I had to do. A number of guys pulled me off him.
One thing we did a few times was push an outhouse over the river bank and a crane would have to come and put it back on its foundation. The last time we did this we heard a scream come from inside the outhouse—Mr. Regger was inside doing his business!
Possibly one of the funniest or maybe the meanest was throwing an overripe tomato at this house and it hit the screen on the storm door and went through. The homeowner was sitting at the table reading the paper. You can imagine what he and his paper looked like. He gave us a good chase. Don’t try this at home. I sure hope my kids didn’t try anything like this!! If you did, don’t tell me!
A HUGE TURNING POINT:
Up to this point in my life it didn’t look good for me. But there was another event and decision and huge turning point in my life. At the age of about 14 it appeared that someone was working on a long range plan for my life without my knowledge of it. I Corinthians 2:9 says it this way, “Eye has not seen nor ear heard nor hath entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love Him (God)”. It was an older lady who helped turn my life around, Mrs. Lamp, who let her son, Richard, be my friend. After a couple of weeks spending a lot of time at their home, she asked if I would like to go to church with them. They would pick me up Sunday morning. I will forever be grateful to Mrs. Lamp for that invitation. It was there that I was introduced to the greatest Person ever, my God. At church I heard something that was hard to believe, there was someone who really loved me other than my mother. It was my Heavenly Father. I was so excited about what I heard I asked my mother and dad if they would come and listen to this good news. The following Sunday they did come with me and we all three went forward to the altar to pray for God’s forgiveness and to take up residency in our lives. Rev. Floyd McFarland led all three of us to the Lord. Wow! What a day! In fact, what a journey! We all became regular attenders and also members of the West Brownsville Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. I spent time with Rev. McFarland at Mahaffey Bible Camp in the summer, helping him with his service work of picking up the trash. My dad quit drinking, smoking, swearing and never quit apologizing to me for the way he treated me. God had a better plan than I had! It still amazes me when I see other lives changed by God like ours were. This was a life changing turning point. Church was about three miles from our house and we didn’t have a car. The church bought a bus and saw that we got there for a while. In the evenings Don Armstrong said that if we got to church he would bring us home. He did this for many years. I don’t think we ever missed. On Sunday evenings my dad and I would thumb a ride to church and Don would bring us home, sometimes stopping for ice cream. I also met a super Christian guy my age who became my best friend, Ronnie Brosky. He became the best man at Nancy’s and my wedding and I was best man at his wedding. After just a few years at the church my mother was teaching a Sunday School class of young girls. She was respected and loved by the church more than at any other time in her life. That was a turning point in her life, too. She helped clean the church and kept it neat. She served the church and the Lord in so many ways. My dad started teaching a mixed adult Sunday School class. He became an Elder in the church and did a lot of visiting. He introduced many people to Christ and did some preaching, and sang solos. He spoke of the Lord to everyone he met. He introduced many people to a relationship with Christ, including the tavern owner where he used to drink, "Blind Bill". He told Bill what happened in His life. He said he would not be back to drink but would come and read scriptures, sing and pray for him. Bill closed his bar and a few years later he passed away and is now in Heaven. He also helped a young man fix a tire on the highway and prayed with him and for him. The guy accepted Jesus, went to bible school and became a pastor. These are some of the miracles that God did in our home and lives.
This was a major turning point in my life.
JUNIOR HIGH—ANOTHER TURNING POINT:
Sports became my passion, especially football. I played running back in 7th and 8th grades. In 9th, 10th, and 11th, I played on the varsity team at Centerville High School, in Pennsylvania, which is now Beth Center.
TURNING POINT—MOGADORE HIGH SCHOOL:
Because of being held back two years in grade school, my senior year I was ineligible to play due to my age (19). I did, however, go to football camp and worked with the backfield. The change in my life must have showed because at camp, my coach asked me to pray before every meal. While we were at camp a friend, Harold Bakewell, asked if I might want to play football my senior year. He said to call this guy, if I wanted to play. I thought he was just trying to be funny! But, he said “here is a phone number to call. He is my friend, Ned Novell, and is the coach at Mogadore, Ohio.” I called immediately and Ned told me a little about the school and his teams. He was quick to let me know that they were a State championship team the past season and that his dilemma was that 14 of his senior players had graduated. He seemed interested that I come to Mogadore and that if I did, I could play any position on the team that I wanted. (sight unseen at 5’6” and 175 lbs) I didn’t waste any time. I packed a few things and was on the bus to Akron the next morning not knowing anyone or what to do when I got there. This led to another turning point. I asked a taxi driver to take me to Mogadore, he wanted to know some address. I didn’t even have the address. He got the address of the coach from his phone book and took me there. I spent two nights with the coach and his family. That was not the best setup, because to play sports in Ohio; I had to be totally self supporting according to the Ohio High School Athletic Association rules. I stayed in the health room at the school the first week, then I rented a room across from the school for $5.00 per week which included breakfast and laundry. I got a job at Robinson Clay only a few minutes from where I lived, worked 4 hours every night after football practice. Most nights they would tell me that I could go home after about two hours and paid me four. All this was necessary to prove to the Athletic Director of Ohio that I was self supporting and the school was not paying me. And, this all had to be done before the first game, that was in one week!
Mogadore has the reputation of being a football community. From the time I arrived I had two days of practice before the first game. The coach didn't expect the team to measure up to the last year’s team, so he challenged us that we could keep the brand new shirts that we played in if we won. It worked! Everyone was surprised that the score was 56-0! I had three touchdowns that game. We went on to have an undefeated season with 256 points offense to 19 scored against us on defense. It’s still hard for me to believe how the team accepted me as a late comer and from Pennsylvania yet! I felt very welcomed. Ned was not only my coach but became a good friend.
Before the first game the coach introduced me to the school at the assembly the day of the game. He told the entire student body that I would be available to be invited for dinner. In fact, one family, the DuBois, invited me so often that they had a place set at their table every evening and if I didn’t show up, they would want to know why. I even went on vacation with them a couple years to Canada, which started my love affair with the lakes up there. I was even invited to the school superintendent’s (Mr. Sommers) house. I had many invites for dinner and became acquainted with a lot of nice people who became friends. One in particular who is even to this day, closer than a brother, Gino Calcei. We’ve done a lot of projects together, not enough fishing. He was always available to help with anything I have to do. I enjoy the weekly coffee times for many years and to see his love for the Lord to grow. I had a few college offers, Akron U, Wooster, Miami of Ohio. I was going to go to Akron U. They offered room and board. I had all tests and equipment ready to go. They had the room at the fire station for me, but wouldn’t be able to provide meals so I made an unwise decision. I turned the deal down and attended Kent State with no scholarship, and no room and board. It didn't last as I didn't even finish the first year. Trying to find out what I really wanted to do, I worked at a number of different jobs. During the summers, as a teen in Pennsylvania, I worked on the railroad on the section gang repairing the rails, etc. I also worked on a farm for about 50 cents a day. In Ohio I worked at Akron brick and block, Davy Tree, Miller Excavating, Robinson Clay and later as Manager at Montgomery Ward, Kesselring Dairy, Amway sales and finally self employed as B & B Carpet, painting and restoration. You can tell I was a little uncertain about what I wanted to do!
TURNING POINT—THE LOVE OF MY LIFE:
Since I was used to attending and was saved in a C & MA church in PA I thought it wise to check out all the Alliance churches in the Akron area. I don’t know if this is true or not, but I’ve been accused of attending the church with the prettiest girls (Brown St). That was the best decision I could have made. I went to Brown St CMA and it was there where I met one of those pretty girls. She was pretty and classy and I thought she wouldn't go on a date with me. But I lucked out. She canceled out on a blind date and went with me instead. We had an “exciting” date at a movie at the Haven of Rest Rescue Mission (quite the romantic aren't I?) then we drove to Cleveland and walked around awhile. We finished our date at the Waterloo Restaurant when it was a drive-in. I think we both sensed that we had the start of something special. While she was away at Baldwin Wallace College, we began to date regularly. She transferred to Akron U the next year.
At this time I also got a call from “Uncle Sam” to report for an army induction physical. So, instead, I joined the Marine Reserves with a six year obligation in Parris Island and Camp Lejeune. It was a great and growing experience.
A couple of experiences in the Marines are as follows. The 2nd day at Parris Island one of the guys tested me by pushing me from behind, my old fighting nature resurrected and I turned to make sure of who it was. Then it was one hit and he folded up on the floor. It is amazing the respect you can get from just one incident from a platoon of 80 guys. A while later these 80 guys wanted to have a blanket party on a kid who kept messing up. A blanket party is throwing a blanket over someone and everybody just beats him. They came and asked me if I would join the party. I said I didn't think I would. In fact you will have to go through me first. The party was canceled. I still have the tendency to fight for the underdog. Also, one of the drill instructors made an attempt to hit me in the stomach. First he asked me if I thought I could whip him. I said yes, sir. He asked “do you want to go outside?” Yes, sir. That was the end of that conversation. I got 100% on the strength competition; one event being push ups. I did 120 in three minutes and 20 pull ups. I earned the sharp shooter on the rifle range and was offered warrant officer if I stayed in. But I wanted to come home to that special lady who I hoped was still waiting. She was. That was a very good decision, even after 54 years of marriage to Nancy and three kids later.
We dated for 2 years and were engaged for one year before we got married. She is 4 ½ years younger than I and had one year to finish college at Akron U. Her parents asked if we would wait until Nancy was 21. She was 21 (a senior at AU) on October 5 and we got married October 14. She did finish college as she promised her parents and taught Home Economics and history at Stow High School. Nancy's parents, Harley and Ruth SirLouis were the greatest in-laws.
Shortly after our marriage we began our ministry at Brown Street (Riverside) where we both taught Sunday School and held many positions, some individually and some together. We are a good team. It has been great blessing having a spiritual partner as well as a marriage partner.
At first we rented a couple different apartments then bought a small, run down house from Nancy's grandfather, Mr. Aberth and started working on it. Before we moved in and 53 years later we are still working on it. We made four additions and other renovations.
TURNING POINT—OUR FAMILY:
About the same time before we moved into our little house, we found out that a little girl was going to come and live with us, our daughter Sherri Ann. (not adopted) To complicate things just a little, Nancy had to finish the year of teaching. Talk about a turning point, Sherri was one of those. Many times people would stop us to comment how beautiful she was. She was such a good baby that we hardly knew she was in the house. I guess I didn't realize that being a father was a life long responsibility.
At this time I was working for Kesseling Dairy doing home delivery milk route. God used us to encourage people on my route to consider their relationship with God. I have always been involved and active in sports, played softball on three teams, one fast pitch and two slow pitch, played basketball until about age 55 and coached my kids teams...Sherri's fast pitch softball and David's baseball.
About this time, 1966, we had another addition to our family, another blessing from God, a son, David. He was a very good baby too, in fact, he is a good man now. I've always enjoyed our times together; Coaching his baseball teams, fishing with him, working with him and witnessing him become a good husband and good father and hockey coach.
One of the construction jobs I had was working in Morgantown, WV. For two years I worked in Morgantown and came home on the weekends. I was foreman on the night shift. It's probably the worst job I ever had, being away from home and my family all week. I wouldn't recommend this for anyone. The one good thing about it was that I was able to stay with my mother and could spend time with her that I now appreciate more than ever. But I just couldn't take being away from my family any longer, so I decided to manage our business, B&B Carpet Cleaning full time, and doing building maintenance in five buildings, with different people in each one, doing insurance work for fire damage and opening a carpet store. We purchased that building and now rent it to an antique store with an apartment upstairs.
Then, a great surprise for us. I guess we didn't do the best for our two kids so God said, I'll give you one more chance to get it right. He gave us a screaming, never stop crying little girl, basically the opposite of our first two. My little girl, at almost 40, still requires a lot of attention (her poor husband) but she is very special. It was almost like raising an only child since Sherri and David were nearly 13 and 10 when Alisa was born. I give my wife most of the credit for the way our kids turned out. I am so thankful for the three blessings that God gave to us. Sherri (Dave Shaub) David (Sherrie) and Alisa (Scott Rochford) all have training and good jobs. Both girls are teachers, and coaches and David trained as a jet mechanic at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics and works for U.S. Airways (now a different name, I can't keep up!) He also has started his own construction business. God also blessed us with our grandchildren, Adam, Corey, Aryn and Ashley. They are a joy to us.
My wife and family are gifts from God. As a family, we spent our vacations in Canada at a cottage owned by Nancy's grandparents and parents on Bobs Lake, Ontario. One of the greatest disappointments was that it was destroyed by fire. By Canadian law, we had two years to rebuild because of the size of the lot after two years nothing could be built. I and another friend rebuilt a two story cottage which was later sold for over $350,000. Everything worked out for the best, I think. A scripture verse that keeps coming back to my mind is I Corinthians 2:9 "Eye has not seen nor ear heard nor hath entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him."
Life is made up of many turning points and decisions, some good and some not so good. One thing is for sure, decision making affects more than just you or me. Decisions do have a ripple effect. This story is not complete. There is a lot more that could be written. I don't mean to brag about me, I want to brag about God and how He can take anyone, no matter what they have done or what they have been through and very likely headed the wrong direction, even making unwise decisions and make that person useful for His glory. I am more than thankful for what He has done in and through my life. This has been a good exercise (my story) to recall all the things and people who were part of the turning points in my life.
EPILOGUE:
To bring this up to date, December, 2015
SOME OF THE WAYS THE LORD HAS ALLOWED ME TO SERVE HIM:
At the present time I am an elder emeritus and church visiting director at Riverside Alliance Church. We visit or call 15-20 people a month, do hospital visits, serve communion to shut-in people. I taught Sunday School for about 50 years, mostly with young couples, served on every board and committee, church elder for many years, did some singing, solos, duets, choir, etc., hopefully encouraged many in their walk with the Lord, helped some to know God personally. The best part about it all was to have God and my wife and me on the same team. We had to go through some difficult situations, as well as medical issues. I have gone through quadruple bypass surgery, shoulder surgery, back surgery, nose and hand surgery and now also have difficulty walking. But when I think about what could have been and what is, all the turning points and encouragement I have received from many people, including our church family at Riverside Alliance Church, I have so much to be thankful for.
Whoever reads this it is easy to see that God played a very important part in my life. I see His hand print on all of it. I challenge whoever reads this to consider living, trusting and serving the Lord and I promise and guarantee you... won't be sorry!
Sincerely,
Gene, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, Friend
(However you know me)
The Christian and Missionary Alliance
Mogadore Schools Alumni Foundation
MogadoreFootball
