History of First Wesleyan
The Wesleyan Methodist Church of America was founded upon the Christian principles and doctrines of John Wesley. In 1835 Wesley was called to the missionary.
John and Charles Wesley wrote more than 6,500 hymns, among them: “Jesus Lover of My Soul”, “O Love Divine”, “A Charge to Keep I Have”, and “Hark the Herald Angles Sing.”
Aunt Nett Piner and her husband Joe conducted an underground railway and were assisted by Mrs. Paran, Mrs. Asberry, Aunt Dinah Scott, Aunt Charity Broady, Dr. Hibbard Jewett, Luther Bruen, and Rev. Eber Leeter. These people made sure all slaves coming this way were sheltered, fed, disguised, and helped to Canada. In February 1841, on a cold night when the temperature was below zero, a mob of pro-slavery white men took full possession of Dayton. The white population was 6,069 and the colored population 326. Dayton, being an underground railway station, the pro-slavery party watched for a time to burn and loot the colored settlers. The first firewatchers were those early settlers.
Out of the smoke and ashes of this mob, the First Wesleyan Methodist Church was organized in Dayton. The church was enrolled under the discipline and government of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference that convened in Troy, Ohio in 1843. It was made one the circuit points of the Miami Conference and allied itself with abolitionists opposing slavery. On November 17, 1840, the United Daughters of Zion, a society of colored women, bought a lot on South Wilkerson (now Scott Street) and a small frame church was built on this lot. This church soon became too small and a new church was built on the same lot in 1854. It was dedicated to the service of God on August 25, 1861. In July 1854, the United Daughters of Zion made a deed giving the lot upon which the original edifice stood to the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Dayton, Ohio as a gift of good will.
The church was built under a mortgage and the women of the church pledged to give 50 cent each week. When it was about time for the last payment, the contractor threatened to close the mortgage. Brother Madison Penn took a mortgage on his home and the women stood by him, paying 50 cent weekly until the mortgage was paid in full. The names of the trustees of United Daughters of Zion: Harriet E. Wade, Elizabeth Jackson, Charity Broady, Maria Robins, and Peg Anderson. They were also member of the church.
On September 15, 1895, God called Rev. Desota E. Bass. He not only became the pastor of the Wesleyan Methodist Church but the Missionary Pastor at large to the City of Dayton. He pastured 33 years. He was a member of the Inter-Denominational Ministerial Alliance, President of the South Ohio Conference, and presided over the S.S. Convention. On October 28, 1928, Rev Bass was called to his reward.
The First Wesleyan Methodist Church was built in 1915. It was located on the Northwest corner of Scott and Bruen Street, just one block North of the old site.
Rev. Jerome W. Wilson became pastor in 1926 and served until his death in 1961. He was president of the South Ohio Conference for many years. Rev. Wilson was not only the pastor of our church but held the title of being the oldest Montgomery County employee. He took the post of assistant in the law library at the courthouse in March 1906.
Rev. Clarence A. Pauley became assistant pastor to Rev. Wilson when his health began to fail, then became pastor in 1961. He was the first Negro Health Officer and held that position until is death.
In 1964, Rev. Rita E. H. Lee became our pastor. It was through Rev. Lee that we moved to 401 Gramont on April 9, 1965. The highway took our church at Scott and Bruen. We moved our pipe organ with the help of Mr. Krebs who tore it down piece by piece and moved it to our new building. We also move the bell, which rang for freedom in 1862. On June 26, 1968 The Pilgrim Holiness Church and The Wesleyan Methodist Church of America were united to form the Wesleyan Church.
Rev. Terry Hill became pastor of First Wesleyan in 1969. The church became divided. Members loyal to the South Ohio Conference of the Wesleyan Church here locked out of the edifice. The First Wesleyan Church of the South Ohio Conference officially re-organized April 21, 1972, with Rev. Eugene Ramsey, District Superintendent, presiding. Ministers who assisted with our service until we were sent a pastor were Rev. Elva Johnson and Rev. Herbert Gates, Sr.
Rev. Richard Robinson became pastor in 1972 and served until 1977. In 1975, the Court awarded our Church back to us. In September 1977, Rev. James W. Gillespie was installed as pastor of First Wesleyan.
Rev. Winston L. Crichlow became pastor in June 1980 and served until July 1988. During his pastorship, the South Ohio Conference was phase out and we became part of the Western District of Ohio of the Wesleyan Church.
Rev. John Jolie became pastor in July 1988 and served until December 1990. Rev. James K. Eason became pastor in June 1991 and served until August 1992. Rev. Anthony T. Wilburn became pastor in August 1993 and served until May 1995. In September 1996, Rev. Leroy Long Jr. became pastor until he resigned in February 1998. Rev. Martha Hargove became pastor in March 1998. She resigned in April 1999. Rev. Steven A. Jackson became pastor in December 1999 until he resigned in April 2002. In August 2003, the members voted Rev. Nicole Thomas as our pastor. She served until July 2005. In April 2006, William Springer Sr. became pastor.
The First Wesleyan Methodist Church is the Mother in Seniority of the Colored churches in Dayton, Ohio. Names of Ministers
Rev. Shadrach Green
Rev. W. Green
Rev. W. Haywood
Rev. Charles Clemens
Rev. W. Glading
Rev. W.R.J. Clemens
Rev. Robert Anderson
Rev. John Falls
Rev. Thomas Clinton
Rev. H.C. Pierce
Rev. Harvey Jackson
Rev. Benjamin Garner
Rev. L.C. Kiner
Rev. J.E. Artis
Rev. George Jackson
Rev. DeSoto E. Bass
Rev. Jerome Wilson
Rev. Clarence Pauley
Rev. Rita E.H. Lee
Rev. Terry Hill
Rev. Richard Robinson
Rev. James W. Gillespie
Rev. Winston L. Crichlow
Rev. John I. Jolie
Rev. James K. Eason
Rev. Anthony T. Wilburn
Rev. Leroy Long, Jr.
Rev. Martha Hargrove
Rev. Steven A. Jackson
Rev. Nicole Thomas
Rev. William Springer, Sr.
