HISTORY OF COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 1910 TO 1980
GROWTH
As an alternate step, and to temporarily delay the second phase of Master Plan. the Board of Trustees, in a resolution dated February 16, 1957, took first steps toward purchasing two adjacent lots north of the church from Paul and Sally Rensch. A building was on the lot located at 319 Meyer Avenue. This acquisition would accomplish two objectives: ease the overcrowded conditions in the Church School and provide additional space for parking and expansion in the future. he resolution specified that the total price not exceed $19.000. In the same resolution. the Church Corporation was to enter into a loan agreement with the Third National Bank of Dayton for a total of $20,000. The $1 ,000 over and above the purchase price of the property would be used to renovate the existing building so it would be suitable for Church School use. The Church Office was to be located in the first floor of the building. A special Quarterly Conference, held the same date, adopted the resolution. |
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| Typical classes in the new annex | |
Mrs. William Goetz, the first WSCS president of Community Methodist, and for a number of years custodian of the building at Eastwood, died on December 19,1958, only nine days after the death of her husband. Some of her many friends decided to make a memorial gift in honor of her long service to the congregation, and after much study, decided that a prayer room in the church would be a fitting tribute. The small room just opposite the kitchen in the basement of the sanctuary was fitted with a small altar and appropriate furnishings, and a plaque was permanently installed on the wall. This room was intended to provide a quiet place where members of the church, individually or in small groups, could retire for meditation and prayer. The Goetz Memorial Prayer Room was dedicated on Sunday afternoon, May 31,1959, with Pastor Imhausen directing.
In a meeting held on April 11,1959, the Board of Trustees of Community Methodist passed a resolution to enter into a purchase agreement with Mr. Mrs. Swerking for property of approximately one and one-tenth acres on which a home was located at 309 Meyer Avenue. With some modification on the unfinished second floor this building would provide a better parsonage than the one owned by the church at 24 North Sperling Avenue, and, at the same time, allow the minister to be closer to his congregation. The total amount was not to exceed $19,000. At the same time, the Board of Trustees recommended that the parsonage property at 24 North Sperling be sold with the proceeds of the sale to apply towards the purchase of the new parsonage. A special Quarterly Conference held on April 16,1959, approved the resolution. Additional authorization for a loan of $23,000 would allow also for the .remodeling of the newly acquired property. Because of the transfer of Pastor Imhausen in July, 1959, the first family to live in the new parsonage was that of Pastor William W. Reiley, who moved into the home in August, 1959.