Our Mission

Loving Jesus
Growing Together
Serving Our World

Pastor Max Ulderich

I am called to teach and preach the Word of God, and pastor His people.  My heart is to equip the Saints for the work of God’s Kingdom.  I desire to empower people allowing them to use their giftedness for the glory of Christ while providing them the tools necessary to be successful.  This brings me fulfillment, purpose, meaning and joy. 

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Our History

1837 - A small group of believers met in Grandma Sampsells home to organize what was the beginning of our present church. For 21 years, these seven or eight families met in homes, with circuit riders serving as ministers.

1857 - They decided to build a church, which was known as the Basswood Church, built on the corner of Main and Madison Streets, where Kirwens Market now stands. This was a building 25 feet by 35 feet with a partition down the center to separate the men from the women. The actual cash outlay to build the Church was only $36. There were 18 members when the church opened. Family names were: Biddle, Kemmerling, Sampsell, Suetter, Thomas, and Yeasting. The Basswood Church was used for 16 years, until a much larger wood frame Church was built (around 1873) on the corner of Stone & Webster streets. This building was used until the present Church was built.

​1914-1915 - The present Church was built, and it was dedicated on May 15, 1915. The first parsonage was just behind the Church. It was bought shortly before the Church was built in1914.

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1958  - The parsonage was moved one block north, down Hurlbut and across the street to make room for the present Fellowship Hall and educational unit (which was built in 1958, and dedicated on February 1, 1959.

1964 - The present parsonage was built on 846 Ludwig Avenue. It was dedicated in November, 1964.

1973 - The Sanctuary of the Church was refinished and redecorated. A center Isle was established, the center pulpit was moved, new carpet was put down, and new padded pews were installed.

1987 - We had a church directory published in celebration of 150 years as a Church. We are the oldest congregation in Gibsonburg, and one of the oldest in Sandusky County.

2008 - We are "Bursting Open!" A Three Phase project is in the planning stages to expand and renovate many areas of the church.

2015 - Celebrated 100 years

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Our Foundation

Article 1 - God

We believe in the one true, holy and living God, Eternal Spirit, who is Creator, Sovereign and Preserver of all things visible and invisible. He is infinite in power, wisdom, justice, goodness and love, and rules with gracious regard for the well-being and salvation of men, to the glory of his name. We believe the one God reveals himself as the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, distinct but inseparable, eternally one in essence and power

Article 2 - Jesus Christ

We believe in Jesus Christ, truly God and truly man, in whom the divine and human natures are perfectly and inseparably united. He is the eternal Word made flesh, the only begotten Son of the Father, born of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. As ministering Servant he lived, suffered and died on the cross. He was buried, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven to be with the Father, from whence he shall return. He is eternal Savior and Mediator, who intercedes for us, and by him all men will be judged

Article 3 - The Holy Spirit

We believe in the Holy Spirit who proceeds from and is one in being with the Father and the Son. He convinces the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He leads men through faithful response to the gospel into the fellowship of the Church. He comforts, sustains and empowers the faithful and guides them into all truth

Article 4 - The Holy Bible

We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation

Article 5 - The Church

We believe the Christian Church is the community of all true believers under the Lordship of Christ. We believe it is one, holy, apostolic and catholic. It is the redemptive fellowship in which the Word of God is preached by men divinely called, and the sacraments are duly administered according to Christ's own appointment. Under the discipline of the Holy Spirit the Church exists for the maintenance of worship, the edification of believers and the redemption of the world

From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church - 2008. 
Copyright 2008 by The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission