Pioneer United Methodist Church
The Methodists held their first class in Pioneer in 1848, with Rev. Sampsom from Hillsdale County, Michigan 1852, under the leadership of the. Rev. David Ocker built a firm foundation. The group met in the old schoolhouse with just a few members. Among the faithful was John Fulton .P.G. Grannis and his wife Ester, William Fulton, Barbara Fulton, Catherine Fulton, Mary Grannis and Henry Smith and his wife. The class grew strong enough to build a frame church located at the corner of State and West Church Street in 1859-1860, at the cost of $1,500. The Rev Lem L. Clark was appointed to the Pioneer Circuit in 1875, with the group organizing as a Methodist Episcopal Church. During his pastorate, a large impressive brick building, according to the histories, was built on the same corner. This church cost, from the records, was $5,000. In 1922-1923 a basement, including a kitchen was added to the Church. The Rev. L.R. Kennard was the pastor during this period.
A new parsonage was purchased at 205 West Church Street in Pioneer Ohio in 1926. The old parsonage on State Street in Pioneer Ohio was sold. The Pioneer Church has always been on a circuit with one or more area church. In the 1800’s circuit of Pioneer, West Jefferson, Bridgewater Center Union Chapel (location uncertain). These three withdrew and Alvordton was added in 1907. The Alvordton Church was organized in 1895, with the Sunday school classes meeting in an uptown store building. In 1897, a brick church was built near the schoolhouse. It was dedicated in 1898. The new church was built in 1969.
History of Pioneer United Methodist Church:
In the summer of 1930 Dr. Russell H. Bready returned to visit the small Amboy Methodist Church in Hillsdale County, Michigan. This Church had been his first pastorate in 1899. The pastor there had resigned so Dr. Bready filled the pulpit for a few months. At the regular Ohio Conference in June of 1931 Dr. Bready was appointed to the Pioneer-Alvordton Charge. He the organized the Michigan-Ohio Parish. This parish was a part of the Lansing-Albion District of Michigan and the Defiance District of Ohio. At Quarterly conference meetings the District Superintendents from both Defiance and Albion presided and money was allocated to each. At first, Sunday School were help at each church on Sunday mornings with the summer evening worship service at the Amboy Church. In the winter the combined service was held in Pioneer. Attendance and membership growth was greatly increased during this unique arrangement under Dr. Bready’s leadership from 1931-1936.uall the small congregation at Amboy decided to disband. Part of members joined neighboring Michigan churches and the majority of the families became members of the Pioneer-Alvordton Charge, event. In June 1974, under the leadership of Rev. Gilbert Delong, a majority of the members voted to build a new church located on East Baubice Street in Pioneer Ohio. n the summer of 1930 Dr. Russell H. Bready returned to visit the small Amboy Methodist Church in Hillsdale County, Michigan.
This Church had been his first pastorate in 1899. The pastor there had resigned so Dr. Bready filled the pulpit for a few months. At the regular Ohio Conference in June of 1931 Dr. Bready was appointed to the Pioneer-Alvordton Charge. He the organized the Michigan-Ohio Parish. This parish was a part of the Lansing-Albion District of Michigan and the Defiance District of Ohio. At Quarterly conference meetings the District Superintendents from both Defiance and Albion presided and money was allocated to each. At first, Sunday School were help at each church on Sunday mornings with the summer evening worship service at the Amboy Church. In the winter the combined service was held in Pioneer. Attendance and membership growth was greatly increased during this unique arrangement under Dr. Bready’s leadership from 1931-1936.uall the small congregation at Amboy decided to disband. Part of members joined neighboring Michigan churches and the majority of the families became members of the Pioneer-Alvordton Charge, event. In June 1974, under the leadership of Rev. Gilbert Delong, a majority of the members voted to build a new church located on East Baubice Street in Pioneer Ohio.
The Charles Reifel family gave the land to the church. Plans were formulated, pledges and money were gathered and on April 20, 1957 ground was broken, with construction beginning in spring, the building as dedicated on December 14, 1975 by Bishop Francis At a special afternoon service on November 20, 1983 the mortgage on the new building was Burned. I June 2006 Pioneer become a two-point Charge with West Franklin United Methodist Church Alvordton withdrew and on their own. Alvordton Church merged with Pioneer UMC in 2007.
Bibliography:
History of Williams County, Vol.1 1882
History of Williams County, Vol.1 1882 Church Records Recollections of Church Members 
West Franklin United Methodist Church
Frist Church for Pioneer UMC Built 1859-1860
Cost $1,500
Second church built in 1931
Alvordton Church
