BUTLER, Ohio–Three Crosses Church in Butler began was just an idea in early 2007 when three local Methodist churches combined their congregations into one new Church.
The three churches were Bellville, Mt. Sinai and Trinity United Methodist churches. They combined congregations to become Three Crosses, a United Methodist Fellowship.
The dedication service for the sanctuary was held on Sunday April 12 with Pastor Jon Priebe; Pastor Keith McLaughlin, the first pastor at Three Crosses; and retired Pastor Don Sprague, who is now 98 years old. The Reverend Dr. Gary George, Special Assistant to the Bishop, presented the greetings.
The theme of the dedication service was “Come and See what the Lord Hath Done.”
A video highlighting the seven-year evolution of Three Crosses was shown at the service.
Vocalists Chris Wise, Kristin Watkins, Dale Bowman and Dave Bowman entertained the overflow crowd. Reverend John Guliano, former pastor at Butler Trinity Methodist Church, played the “Dr. Betty” organ (donated by Dr. Betty Reed of Butler a number of years ago) and the piano for the dedication.
“We have approximately 170 members in the congregation. It was a beautiful day to celebrate new beginnings with old friends,” Mathes said.
Pastor Keith McLaughlin conducted the first service for the combined congregations on Easter Sunday in 2007. Then, after much prayer, hard work and sacrifice, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new church additions was held on Mother’s Day 2010 at the site of Butler Trinity Methodist Church. Construction began in June.
The fellowship hall construction followed and was ready in 2012 followed by the new sanctuary, the last phase for Three Crosses Church.
The first service in Three Crosses sanctuary was held on December 7, 2014.
“The former Mt. Sinai church in Butler now serves as our annex and has Clear Fork preschool,” Gary Mathes, Chairman of the planning committee said.
Three Crosses is located at 12 Cleveland Street in Butler.
