Lower Miami celebrates a bicentennial.

Lower Miami Church of the Brethren, pastored by Edward Pugh and associate Nan Erbaugh, is celebrating its bicentennial. Founded in Oct. 1805 by elder Jacob Miller, Lower Miami is the oldest Church of the Brethren west of the Great Miami River and the second oldest in Ohio.

Lower Miami is known in the Southern Ohio District as the "Cradle of Religion," the "Mother Church," and the "Parent Church" because 11 congregations can trace their roots back to her, reported Diana R. Wheaton. The churches rooted in Lower Miami are Beaver Creek, Happy Corner, Salem, Good Shepherd, Trotwood, West Milton, Potsdam, Eversole, Brookville, Mack Memorial, and Prince of Peace. Some Old German Baptist Brethren, Brethren Church, Dunkard Brethren, and Grace Brethren congregations also may trace their historic roots to Lower Miami, according to the compiler of the list, Elizabeth Miller Lane. She is editing a new comprehensive History of the Church of the Brethren in Southern Ohio.

Five celebratory services were held in June to mark the centennial. Sisters and brothers from across the country returned to Lower Miami for the momentous occasion and to renew old friendships. They were treated to uplifting messages delivered by the keynote speakers including Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the General Board; Stephen B. Reid, Bethany Seminary academic dean, who grew up at Lower Miami; Mark Flory Steury, executive minister of Southern Ohio District; and former pastors Kreston Lipscomb and Ron McAdams.

"Lower Miami's faith journey is portrayed by its mission and witness," Wheaton wrote. "Over the years, our small interracial congregation (integration began in the mid-1950s) has reached out to people near and far." The church's ministry in the community, district, and denomination includes commitments to the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville, Ohio; the County Home; the Interfaith Hospitality Network serving the homeless; sanctuary for a variety of refugee families; peace-related causes; mission trips; and projects such as CROP Walk, Heifer International, and the Church of the Brethren Cross-Cultural Consultation and Celebration. "Since 1989, we have served as a teaching church for Bethany Seminary students," Wheaton added, to date serving as a placement for four students.

In 2004, two members of Lower Miami, Ralph and Christine Dull, founded the Dayton (Ohio) International Peace Museum: A Space to Make Peace. Lower Miami supports the museum's vision to inspire a culture of peace and an educational opportunity for adults and children to learn how to make peace through outreach and volunteers, Wheaton noted.

"Over the centuries, the distinctive lifestyle of Lower Miami has evolved into a faith community composed of like souls from different walks of life, races, and religious backgrounds," Wheaton said. "Elder Jacob Miller, undoubtedly, would be greatly suprised at this modern-day Church of the Brethren; but he would be pleased with the flowering of the seed that he planted 200 years ago."

Source: 9/28/2005 Newsline
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