The Coshocton County Beacon October 21, 2021 | Page 24

24 • The Beacon October 21 , 2021

By Marianne Austin

West Lafayette First Baptist Church will celebrate its 151st anniversary this year .

The church is a place where many have celebrated their personal life milestones . From weddings , baptisms and funerals , they have considered this church home for a long time .

“ The church has always been the highlight of our lives ,” said Marge Olinger , who has been attending church with her family since birth , 87 years ago . “ My generation goes back to EB Sinden , the one who started the church in 1870 . My grandmother , my dad ’ s mom , was a Sinden , and she remembers six generations back to EB .”

T h e o r i g i n a l church was a little white church in the cemetery at the end of Russell Avenue . The church eventually moved to 427 W . Russell Ave . ( now the Christian Fellowship ).

“ The congregation split , and part went here ,

and part went to Newcomerstown ,” Olinger said .

Olinger remembers leading the singing for the children while her daughter Linda Olinger Moyer played piano back in the old church . “ We had a room full of children , and we would walk in there and ask them what do you want to sing , and it was whatever they wanted to sing . We sang their favorites ,” she said .

Olinger also was the church custodian for 46 years , beginning in 1971 . “ Then I turned it over to my daughter Linda ,” she said . “ I enjoyed doing it . When she was little , she helped us , and our twin sons Larry and Terry mowed the church yard and did the outside work . As a family we made it work .”

Olinger and her husband Larry were married at the church in 1954 .

Moyer said , “ I can remember sitting in junior high study hall in the old middle school at Ridgewood . I could see the church through the window , and I could see

Marianne Austin

Marge Olinger , Linda Moyer , Rhonda Youker , Lori and Rich Wheeler , and June Markley stand in front of a historical display honoring the 151st anniversary of their church .

Mom working and washing windows and wishing I was there instead of where I was at . My daughter Brittney and her husband Billy Hamilton are the janitors now .”

Moyer and her husband Jeff were married in the church , and two of her three children were married there . Their grandchildren attend the First Baptist Church too .

“ It ’ s been a good experience . I wouldn ’ t have it any other way ,” Olinger said .

Rich and Lori Wheeler were married in the church two weeks after the Moyers ’ wedding .

“ I was in this church in utero ,” Rich Wheeler said . “ I ’ m 61 years old , and I ’ m still here . Since my early 20s , I have been a trustee , a deacon , Sunday School teacher , jack of all trades and master of none . My wife Lori and I got married in the old church on Russell Avenue in 1980 . We actually met in the church .”

“ I started coming to the church in the seventh grade ,” Lori Wheeler said . “ I spotted him right away , but it took him a while . He is like one of our sons . He just doesn ’ t know right away when someone likes him . We raised four kids in this church , and they are all here , there and everywhere . Our youngest is in college , and he plays at another church on Sunday mornings .”

Rich Wheeler credited his mother with being a great influence on his life since his father passed when he was very young . “ She kept us in the church ,” he said . “ The creek would have to be 10 feet high and rising to keep her from church . She was a rock , and I can still see her singing in the choir .”

At the 100-year anniversary of the church , his mother had never missed a Sunday . She had perfect attendance . Rich Wheeler and Linda Moyer remember when they used to get perfect attendance pins , and they both still have theirs .

Pastor David and Celeste Holwick served the church from 1982-88 when the church grew from 70-250 members , and they had two Sunday services at that time .

Moyer said , “ Like Rich , even before I was born , I have attended all my life , married my husband Jeff and we have three kids that all still attend here with their families . I ’ ve played the piano off and on since high school . I was treasurer back when Pastor Holwick was here , and money was tight . The pastor would come out to the house and help me with the finances . We have lots of good memories . We ’ ve got a good Christian family here .”

Sisters Rhonda Youker and Lori Wheeler shared many memories of their years in the church . They were on the Christian Board of Education , taught Sunday School , and had the Sunbeams and Kids for Christ .

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