History of the church

In the spring of 1843, David Winebrenner (father of Rev. Peter Winebrenner) and uncle David Winebrenner rode horse to Millersburg to make arrangements with Rev. Banta to come to Merriam and hold a revival meeting. The result of the revival was the organization of the Merriam Church with twelve charter members who signed the following principle on July 8th, 1843.

“We, the undersigned agree to give ourselves to the Lord, to watch over each other in love and so fulfill the law of God, taking the Holy Scriptures as our only rule of faith and practice Christian character, the only test of fellowship.”

Signed by: David Winebrenner, Barbara Sanford Winebrenner (his wife), Peter Winebrenner (their 13-year-old son), Elizabeth Sanford (wife of W. Sanford), John McMeans, William Prickett, Hestor Bonar.

The church’s first regular pastor was Rev. Peter Winebrenner who served at different times in between 1869-1889. Throughout the years the church has stood the test of time through faithful men of God and several construction projects to expand the church. The first wood frame building was constructed in 1852 and the large brick building was dedicated in 1881. Under Pastor Franklin Orr, a new Indiana limestone building was constructed in 1953. Three additions were made from 1965 through 1970. Substantial remodeling was done in 1986; and a foyer and carport were added in 1995.

God has shown his faithfulness to this church through the ministry of the following men. Rev. Peter Banta, Rev. John Batteral, Rev. James Gregory, Rev. Peter Winebrenner (1869-1889), Elder Writtenhouse (1880), Rev. Joseph Roberts, Rev. Philip Zeigler, Rev. Thomas Whitman (1880), Rev. J.D. Coverstone, Rev. John Bolton (1890-91), Rev. George Abbott, Rev. V.R. Miller (1893-1894), Rev. James Atchinson (1893), Rev. D.S. Boswell (1895), Rev. David Hidy (1896), Rev. R.W. Page (1898-1901; 1905-1908), Rev. Eli Spohn (1901-1905), Rev. Ora Harris (1908-1911), Rev. E.A. Bagby (1911-1912), Rev. S.J. Hughes (1912-1913), Rev. R.W. Page (1913-1920), Rev. J. Casper Orebaugh (1920-1923), Rev. M.M. Gressley (1923-1927), Rev. Joseph B. Fisher (1927-1929), Rev. Bert Alvin Page (1929-1932), Rev. Samuel Frantz (1932-1935), Rev. Carl Baldwin (1935-1938), and Rev. John Hartman (1938-1943).

From 1943 until 1979, Rev. Franklin Orr led this congregation with its continual focus upon the foundation of Scripture. Following the retirement of Rev. Orr, Terry Zolman accepted the call to shepherd Merriam Christian Chapel and become its next Senior Pastor. Pastor Terry oversaw the work of the Lord here at Merriam from 1979 until 2011. Under his faithful service and the grace of God the church continued to grow and flourish. In 2011, Pastor Terry was called home to be with our Lord. After a time of grieving and transition, the church called John French to serve as the next Senior Pastor of Merriam Christian Chapel in 2014. Pastor French, along with all of the men who have faithfully served this body for over 177 years continued to serve and minister to this body in the foundation of Christ and His Word alone. In 2020, preparations for Pastor French’s retirement began. It was at this time that MCC called their next Senior Pastor, Jonathan Dingeldine.

For 177 years, Merriam Christian Chapel has been faithfully proclaiming God’s Word to this community, to this state, and through its missionaries to many corners of the world. Its strong emphasis on showing sinners the power and joy of salvation in Jesus Christ and Him alone has never wavered. May the Lord be praised for His faithfulness to us. And may we continue to be found faithful to Him!