We are Seekers, Leaders, Followers and Believers, committed to living and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ.
We believe in open communion – all are welcome!
We are seeking to be faithful servants of God, called to ease the pain, loneliness, and suffering of others in our community and our world.
We seek a joyful experience in following the Gospel by enjoying fun and fellowship with one another.
Statement of Calling
Our History
The Church of the Disciples of Christ at Mantua…
was formed at the schoolhouse in the south part of Mantua, January 27, 1827, on the principle of faith in Jesus Christ, the divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, and the New Testament as the rule of conduct and the book of discipline.
Thus reads the first entry in the original church record book, followed by the names of the nine charter members who separated from a local Baptist congregation to join the growing Restoration Movement of Thomas and Alexander Campbell. Mantua Center Christian Church is the oldest Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregation in Ohio, and the fourth oldest in the entire denomination. The present church building was erected in 1840, and has been in continuous use since (with additions in 1952 and 1993). The church looks today much as it did 165 years ago, inside and out, the plain look purposely maintained, simple and unadorned, consistent with the sensibilities of our pioneer founders.
In addition to playing an instrumental role in the founding of the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute in 1850 – now known as Hiram College – Mantua Center served as an incubator for four other local Disciple congregations that formed in the 1800’s (Hiram, Aurora, Shalersville, and Mantua Station).
A gifted young Hiram College student, circuit rider preacher, and later professor, James A. Garfield, preached on several occasions at Mantua Center in the 1850’s. Many other ministers affiliated with Hiram College have filled the pulpit over the years.
In 1923, the congregation voted to open her doors to members of any other denomination without making baptism a test of fellowship, thereby making MCCC a community church devoted to the unity of all Christians. To this day, we still celebrate the principles on which we were founded: “No creed but Christ, no book but the Bible.”
Welcoming Statement
We aspire to have…
Open Minds: We’re all on a faith journey and want to extend
each other the freedom to ask questions and explore our faith.
We encourage spiritual and intellectual inquiry and accept
diversity of interpretation of scriptures and individual beliefs.
Open Hearts: We believe everyone is a child of God! As
followers of Jesus, we’re here to love, support, and encourage
each other and believe that nothing in our economic status,
political beliefs, race, sexuality, differing abilities nor anything
else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God
we know in Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:38-39). As an Open and
Affirming congregation, we welcome our friends and
neighbors in the LGBTQIA+ community and we’d like to
learn from communities historically estranged from the
church.
Open Arms: We believe love and faith are action words. As
we nurture a place of joy, compassion, and servanthood, we
hope to inspire people to reach out in love and service to
one another, our community, and our world.
Come as you are! We aim to have a place where everyone
who walks through our doors feels right at home. Everyone
has a story and we would love to hear yours. We gather not
as perfect people, but as people perfectly loved by God.
(adopted on January 16, 2024)
Historical Timeline
1808
A Baptist congregation is formed in Nelson, called “Bethesda”- it is said to be the first “of any order” in Portage County.
1827
The Church of Christ of Mantua is founded in a schoolhouse by nine charter members who formerly belonged to the Bethesda Baptist Church. This church was the fourth to be founded in the Restoration Movement, and the first formed in Ohio.
1828
Thomas Campbell visits Mantua Center – at his suggestion, Zeb Rudolph and Darwin Atwater are “ordained and set apart as teachers.”
1829
Members of the church who lived at some distance ask to leave Mantua Center to form new churches in Hiram, Shalersville, and Aurora.
1830
A number of members of Mantua Center and the Hiram church were “lost” to Mormonism. Darwin Atwater is ordained as an Elder.
1838
The congregation voted to raise money to build a “meeting house” – Seth Harmon, Darwin Atwater, and Phineas Jennings appointed as a building committee.
1840
“The church, having completed their new meeting house at the Center of Mantua and nearly paid for it, opened it for public worship.”
1850
The Western Reserve Eclectic Institute was formed in Hiram (later known as Hiram College) – its first “principal” was A.S. Hayden, Disciple minister, historian, and educator, who preached regularly at Mantua Center in the early years.
1855
A young professor from The Eclectic Institute, James A. Garfield preaches for the first time at Mantua Center, and on other occasions between 1855 and 1860.
1867
Frank and Perlea Derthick begin sitting together in the same pew. Previously, men and women sat in separate pews, with a divider between them. Ben Derthick later recalled that “considerable comment was aroused” when this first occurred, but it soon became a common practice.
1871
The church sanctuary is extensively remodeled, partially funded by the local Free Will Baptist congregation. In return for their financial assistance, the Baptists are permitted half time use of the church for a period of ten years.
1873
Darwin Atwater passes away. He was the last of the original church members and served as an Elder for 46 years.
1889
The Christian Church at Mantua Station (now known as Hilltop) was organized with help from Mantua Center.
1895
The church changes its name to “The Disciples of Christ at Mantua Center.”
1900
The church is raised in order to manually dig out a useable basement.
1909
The rostrum is raised and the roof slated.
1923
The church voted to open her doors to members of other denominations without making baptism a test of fellowship.
1927
Electric lights are installed in the church at a cost of $173.06.
1934
In the midst of The Depression, due to declining membership and poor finances, the church nearly votes to close its doors and merge with Hilltop. The pastor, William Joel, elects to take a pay cut to $8.00 per Sunday – average Sunday attendance is 31 people.
1938
Water is piped into the building through the efforts of Lucius Converse.
1942
The church sends its first young member to summer youth conference.
1945
The choir is reorganized through the efforts of Helen (Horton) Alger and Leone Krohn. The Christian Youth Fellowship (CYF) is also formed.
1947
A new organ is dedicated, and the church pays for Leone Krohn to take lessons to become our organist. Indoor restrooms are also installed this year.
1950
To accommodate the growth of the Sunday School program, Lucius Converse is elected to lead the building of an addition to the church, at a cost of $10,000.
1952
Rev. Ben Derthick reads “A Look At Our Heritage” at the dedication of the new addition, coinciding with the 125th Anniversary of the founding of the church.
1958
The church is incorporated and the name officially changed to “Mantua Center Christian Church.”
1962
The parsonage is built on land donated by Elta Tinker. Its first occupant is Rev. Jackson Pyles and his family. He becomes the first full time minister in 50 years.
1967
Mantua Center enters into an agreement with Hilltop Christian Church to share the services on a part time basis with their pastor, Rev. William Allen.
1973
The church has a new aluminum steeple installed, paid for through memorial donations. Pew cushions are also purchased.
1977
The Sesquicentennial Year – different celebrations are held throughout the year, highlighted by a two presentations of the original play “Bright Lives,” written by Jon Secaur, and performed by members of the church.
1984
The Handbell Choir is formed after the purchase of a two-octave set of bells through memorial donations.
1992
Ground is broken for another addition to the church, for the purpose of adding classrooms, restrooms, a nursery, and an office for the pastor and secretary.
1996
A celebration is held to recognize Leone Krohn and Helen Alger for their combined 100 + years of service to the music ministry of the church.
2001
A new organ is purchased and dedicated in February, replacing the organ purchased in 1947.
2002
We celebrate our 175th anniversary, with an old-fashioned worship service and Sunday School program, potluck dinner, and “Centeseptiquinary Jeopardy.”
2006
The church forms a committee to develop a Statement of Calling and Ministry Plan – to discern who we are as a congregation, and where God is calling us to go – in preparation for calling a new pastor.
2008
Rev. Chad Delaney is called to serve as full time pastor.
Communion
AT MCCC, we practice Open Communion. The bread and the cup are symbols for the body and blood of Christ and ALL are invited to partake as the trays are passed.
Get Involved?
Find your way to become part of the life of our congregation! Outreach ministries, Bible study, music, and fellowship activities may be meaningful to you. Please talk to Pastor Chad or one of the Elders about ways to get involved or visit our Ministries page.
Children
Children are always welcome at MCCC! If desired, there is a nursery upstairs for the little ones. For Kindergarten - 4th grade kids, there is Sunday School right after Worship's Children's Moment. We have 5th-8th Grade (Chi Rho) and 9th-12th Grade (CYF) Youth Groups that meet during the week during the school year.