OAK GROVE, THE FIRST 100 YEARS, 1900 — 2000
Section I The History from 1874 - 1950
Nestled in the Allegheny mountain range on Negro Mountain is the small white frame church called Oak Grove Mennonite Church. Route 40 (Old National Pike), three and one half miles west of Grantsville, Maryland. The birth of a group determines the “genes” and character of that group for years to come. Obviously, the
beginnings of this congregation were before my time so I relied heavily on the resources listed at the end. On August 8, 1900 a group of thankful people gathered at this place to dedicate this house of worship. (On August 16, 1959 again people gathered to dedicate the new vestibule and restroom area. In 1980 the Fellowship Hall and upstairs classrooms were added to complete the present structure.) Actually the Oak Grove story began 26 years earlier in 1874 in an old log schoolhouse on the opposite side of the present structure on Zehner Road. The community started a nondenominational Sunday School. Charles Warner was the first superintendent and Henry Warner was assistant superintendent. Under the supervision of these brothers, a prosperous Sunday School continued for about ten years. When the Warners moved to Kansas, Peter Royer was in charge for several years. Following this, the Gingerich brothers, Lewis as superintendent and Eli as assistant, conducted the work. During this time, the social problems confronting the young people were more actively controlled and directed by the Sunday School than they are today. Sometimes when Sunday School was over, the benches, which were loose, would be pushed aside and the young people would have an old-time party. Interest and attendance was good during those years. Conrad Wisseman and _____Baer were the next superintendents, continuing for some time. Later Conrad conducted the school alone.
“The vision and hard work of the neighborhood resulted in the Oak Grove Mennonite Church and the deed transfer is dated May 28, 1900. The church did not become Mennonite affiliated without some problems. Miller felt that inasmuch as the church was to be a continuation of the school house services, it should be undenominational, but Will Tressler felt equally strong that the church should be Mennonite affiliated. Will Tressler prevailed, but for a number of years the two sat on opposite sides of the aisle. But time healed the feelings, and they again became inseparable friends.” (Guernie H. Miller in the Casselman Chronicle,Vol. XV, No. 1, 2 page 15.) When it became apparent that more than local help was needed, J. Miller was placed in charge of the Sunday School. Miller also served at other places, they made an effort to have only local workers. Conrad Wisseman was again placed in charge. In 1913 Irwin Miller became superintendent. From 1917-1919, Charles Walls and C. Wisseman were superintendents. This time, Charles Walls was working in other mountain areas and could not be regular in attendance. Bishop N. E. Miller and Elmer E. Bittinger discussed the situation and Elmer was asked to have complete charge of the work. Because Elmer was used at Springs in the morning and the Oak Grove people preferred to have their service in the morning also, active charge of the school was not assumed until after reorganization in July 1919 and continuing until 1925. From 1919- 1925 A. Walls, Ed Walls, and Arthur Butler were assistant superintendents. In 1925, Simon J. Maust was elected superintendent and Nevin Miller was elected assistant. This continued until 1927, when Nevin was elected superintendent and served until 1932. There are significant events in the history of the Oak Grove Church taken from the Casselman Valley District Report, made to Oscar Burkholder by M. B. Miller and checked and corrected by Elmer Bittinger in 1931, now on file in the Mennonite Historical Library at Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana.
1874-1885 Work started in an old log school house on Zehner Road near The Old National Pike or more recently called Route 40.
1888 The first members were received at Oak Grove. They were Louis and Dan Gingerich and Mary Keim Beachy. In 1890, Conrad and Annie Wisseman were received.
1900 The church was built, dedicated August 5, 1900, with Menno Steiner preaching the dedicatory sermon. Cost of building was $950. P. Miller made the church benches at the time the church was built. Nevin Miller and John Walls made the original blackboards. Nevin also made table and chairs for the preschool room.
