Congregation pitches in to get Wooster church open again
Pastor Jeff Osberg conducts services inside the sanctuary at Sovereign Word Baptist Church. The church raised money to buy the building, built in 1855, and to pay for its renovations after it sat empty since 2008.
On a country road west of Wooster stands a little white church. Cross-shaped windows embellish the double doors of the main entry, a traditional Gothic window graces the front of the campanile and a cross rises from the steeple high atop the bell tower.
For approximately 155 years, the bell rang out on Sunday mornings, sermons were preached from the pulpit and hymns were sung in praise. Then the church sat empty and silent.
Various churches had occupied the structure at 2450 N. Firestone Road since it was built in 1852. Then around 2008, the most recent church vacated the building, and until 2023 it sat empty, the owner unable to find a church that would commit to using it the way they envisioned.
Meanwhile, Pastor Jeff Osberg, an Ashland resident, was pastoring at the 2-year-old Sovereign Word Baptist Church, the first church the Simi Valley, California native headed. Prior to that, he spent 25 years in various ministries including evangelism, teaching Bible studies and leading choir.
“During my last year at a college that focuses strongly on the Word of God, a few well-established pastors encouraged me to start a church in Wooster, Ohio,” he said. “They told me the city needed a Bible-preaching church.”
So he came to Wooster and first established a Bible study group, which initially met at Panera Bread. The group soon began renting a room from the Buckeye Agricultural Museum and Education Center. After increasing to about 50 people, the congregation began outgrowing that space, and Osberg began looking around for a suitable home for his church. After learning of the vacant Firestone Road church, he soon determined the cost of needed renovations was more than his church could cover.
“So we walked away,” Osberg said. “But soon the owner offered to sell the building to us because they were so encouraged by how we would use it as a place that would honor God and his word.”
Osberg and his congregation set about raising funds, and following a bit of negotiation, they soon had a new home. Then came the renovations. Among the photos the pastor had seen of the building was one of Bibles and hymn books covered with dust in the pews.
“That picture made me both sad and happy,” he said, “sad that God’s word got neglected in the building for so many years and happy that we were going to bring it back. We spent almost a year working on the building.”
A combination of Sovereign Word Baptist Church members, other Christian friends and professionals hired for the larger jobs worked to repair and paint cracked walls, renovate woodwork and pews, insulate the attic and ceilings, install heating and air systems, install flooring, repair the roof, and make the facility fully accessible. The basement was renovated as a space for offices, a kitchen and a seating area for meals.
Wooster resident Dan Krites is one congregation member who was fully engaged with the project. He took responsibility for installation of the audio/visual system and for refurbishing two bathrooms.
“Partway through my work, Pastor Jeff took a look at one of the bathroom floors after I had painted it with gray epoxy sealant,” Krites said. “I later learned that he thought it was the finished product but was hesitant to share his dismay with me. Once the tile started going in, he realized what the process was, and the rooms ended up looking very nice.”
“God worked in many ways during the process, providing the people and resources needed,” Osberg said. “When we first took possession of the building, I rang the church bell to test it. Soon, two neighbors appeared at the church, asking if it was open again. They said that for many years people had waited for the place to once again become a church where they could come to worship God. Some of the neighbors offered to help with the renovations, and we accepted that help.”
Last Easter, Osberg performed the first service in the new building.
“It makes a big difference knowing the church building is ours,” Krites said. “God really blessed us with some outstanding donations, and the fact that we are debt free is a huge blessing.”
“We are a church that loves, encourages and cares for each other,” Osberg said. “We like to think of ourselves as a family of God. Many times people have told me that our church has a family-like atmosphere. Our main goal is to love God and glorify him in everything we do. I pray that our efforts help people come to know, love, serve and glorify God more.”
Osberg welcomes everyone. The church offers preaching and teaching of God’s Word, expository preaching and discipleship programs, verse-by-verse Wednesday night Bible studies, and Sunday school. Its music includes worship-style hymns and contemporary songs reflecting biblical principles.
More information may be found at www.sovereignwordbaptistchurch.com or by calling or emailing Osberg at 330-439-2037 or sovereignwordbaptistchurch@gmail.com.