History of Northwest Ohio Association

June 25, 1957

UCC Formed

United Church of Christ was formed.

June 25, 1957

October 25, 1957

NWOA Created

Northwest Ohio Association of the Ohio Conference was created. Trinity Church in Tiffin was the place of this historic gathering bringing together 134 congregations from the Central North Association (CC), the Northwest Ohio Association (CC) and the Northwest Ohio Synod (E&R). Rev. Paul W. Kohler was elected the first Association Minister (1957-1976) and Rev. Paul Rohrbaugh was the first Association Moderator. A constitution was adopted and Tiffin was named as the location of the Association office.

The original structural make up of the Conference included three staff persons for each Association. These included an Association Minister, a Director of Religious Education and a Minister for Parish Programs. Northwest realized early on the difficulty in funding three full time positions. They entered into a shared program staff configuration with the Ohio Conference. A staff person would work fifty percent for the Association and fifty percent for the Conference.

October 25, 1957

May 6-7, 1964

First Annual Meeting

The first annual meeting of the Association was held at First Church, Lima.

May 6-7, 1964

1977

Rev. Dr. Perl

Rev. Dr. Roger D. Perl was Called as our Association Minister. The two shared staff leaders during his tenure were Rev. Clifford Farmer and Rev. Alan McLarty.

1977

1987

Wentz St. Location

The Association purchased the building at 416 Wentz St. in Tiffin. The capital campaign was supported by 100% of our churches.

1987

1989

Rev. Martha Due

Rev. Martha Due was elected as the Associate Association Minister after the shared program staff design in the Ohio Conference ended.

1989

1996

Rev. Dr. Perl Retires

Rev. Dr. Roger Perl retired as our Association Minister. Rev. Martha Due became the Designated Interim Association Minister.

1996

1998-2000

Jubilee Discernment

The Association entered a Jubilee Discernment period under the leadership of Rev. Martha Due and Rev. Christine Boardman, Designated Associate Association Minister.

1998-2000

1999-2005

Rev. Barry Bordenkircher

Rev. Barry Bordenkircher served as part-time Minister for Nuture and Development.

1999-2005

2000-2005

A Community of Communities

Rev. Char Burch served as our Interim Association Minister. The Association with assistance from the Center for Parish Development entered a visioning process and developed a new structure as “A Community of Communities”.

2000-2005

2005-Present

Rev. Daniel Busch

Rev. Daniel Busch was Called as the Association Minister.

2005-Present
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