GREENVILLE — The Greenville Public Library is happy to host A Forgotten Heritage: The German Methodist Church on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. Author Barbara Dixon will share this interesting and little-known story of the dynamic history of the Central District Conference – which once included Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Wheeling West Virginia.

Dixon will begin by telling about William Nast’s founding of the German Methodist Episcopal Church in 1835 in Cincinnati and his ministry to the German-speaking settlers throughout the Midwest. Through her personal research, travels, and from the diaries of her grandfather Theodore Rudin, who was a German Methodist minister from 1898 until 1934, she brings to life the pastors, parishioners, and conditions Pastor Rudin encountered in his travels.

Greenville had its own parish which was established in 1852. At that time it used the Wakefield Church for services but then built its own church on Ash Street in 1856. It appears it eventually merged with the First M.E. Church around 1921 due to a decrease in German immigrants. The book contains much detail and many photos of the church buildings themselves.

Dixon’s book will be available for purchase after the presentation and refreshments will be served. The library appreciates Dixon’s donation of her book and is proud to have it in its collection.