History

During His personal ministry, Jesus told Peter “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). In His parables of the mustard seed and the leaven, Jesus taught that it would have a small beginning, but that it would spread throughout the world (Matthew 13:31-34). That describes the humble beginnings and long history of the Church of Christ that was established in Lisbon, OH.

On May 30th in 1919, several members of the Church of Christ meeting in East Liverpool, Ohio decided to establish a New Testament church in Lisbon. They conducted a tent meeting in the east end of town for seven weeks. Brothers Albert Burcher and Stephen Settle preached during the first four weeks of the meeting. Brother Daniel Sommer preached during the remaining three weeks. After the tent meeting concluded, nineteen members continued to meet in the homes of Paul Hoff on Franklin Square Road and H. T. Hinten on East Pine Street.

In July of 1919, the building known as “The Old Stone House” was purchased for $1,800 by the church. According to historians, it was originally built in 1805, and is the oldest continuously occupied stone house in Ohio. The building was remodeled and made suitable for a place of worship, and the church began holding services there in December 1919.

F.S. Harper was appointed to serve as the first minister to the Lisbon congregation. Brothers Benjamin S. Kelch and H. T. Hinten were selected to serve as the congregation’s first elders. Paul Hoff and Harley C. Kelch were chosen to serve as its first deacons.

In 1948, lots were purchased on North Beaver Street and the erection of the present building was begun. The building was completed in 1949, and the dedication service was conducted in April of that year. The congregation has occupied the Beaver Street building since that time.

Decades of dedicated men have led the Beaver Street Church of Christ. Ministers who have formerly served the Beaver Street congregation include F. S. Harper, Ray Beggs, Harry Houser, Glenn Logston, Richard E. Cunningham, Tom Derby, Herman McHan, and Aaron Burch. The congregation today witnesses to the world and continues their legacy. The following men have served as elders and/or deacons at the Beaver Street Church of Christ: Benjamin S. Kelch, H. T. Hinten, Charles Floding, Paul Hoff, Harley C. Kelch, Essel Hadley, Dale Kodrich, Carl Norwood, George Kelch, Donald Hill, Argle Freeman, Howard Barnhouse, Wilford Culler, Herman McHan, Ray Elkins, and Phil Silliman.