The New Pastor at Centenary and His Family Will Reside in the Parsonage on East Broadway
The Methodist Parsonage
When Reverend Casey Wilson and his family move to Granville June, 2016 he is the 25th pastor to reside in the Methodist Parsonage at 235 East Broadway. Following tradition and conference guidelines, local Methodist churches provide living quarters for ministers and their families. Centenary trustees oversee the care and maintenance of the property.
Granville Methodists acquired land known as the Munson property, for $1700 – Nov. 12, 1904 specifically for a new parsonage.
Work began in March. The parsonage was completed in September 1905 at the cost of $2,957. With improvements on lot, including a store room, sidewalks, grading, cess pool, etc., the initial cost totaled $6,794.27.
Tradition says that the Granville parsonage was one of the finest in Ohio.The County Engineer, observed that the Methodists had the “best location for a parsonage of any church in town.”
Milestones
In the early years the new parsonage was more than the home for the pastor. He met with individuals in his second floor study. Church meetings were held in the parlor.
The parsonage was wired for electricity in 1928, according to a news report in The Granville Times (24 May 1928).
The wrap-around porch on the east side was removed in 1948.
In the 1950s a modern kitchen was added.
When the basement was dug under the church for Fellowship Hall, the dirt was brought to the parsonage yard. This dirt helped prevent water from entering the basement.
In early 1973, when wall paper was removed, the words “Papered in 1910” was found written in pencil across the plastered wall. The trustees allotted $60,000 for renovations including a garage, kitchen update, painting and carpeting. With extensive improvements, an Open House was held July 14. 1974.
September 2005, OPEN HOUSE at the Parsonage for the congregation observed 100 years. The occasion was during Granville Bicentennial.
Features of the Parsonage
The parsonage has many notable characteristics.
- The southeast corner bedroom on the upper floor was called the "Bishop's bedroom." In the early days of 20thcentury, the Granville parsonage often accommodated the Bishop on overnight stays.
- A built-in cherry deacon's bench in the front entry was used by people waiting to see the Pastor in the second story study.
- Two stained glass windows are built into the west wall of the parsonage.
- The woodwork in the parsonage has three different types of wood.
--Cherry in the entry and living room
-- Sycamore in the upstairs rooms
--Oak in dining room, family room, and kitchen
- Wooden pocket doors slide to separate rooms on the main floor. The doors co-ordinate on each side to match the type of woodworking in the room.These doors were used to give the family privacy when church meetings occurred at the parsonage.
“Celebrating 100 Years: The Methodist Parsonage 1905-2005” published by Centenary’sHistory and Records Committee outlines more details of the East Broadway home and earlier housing for Methodist pastors. The booklet includes photos and reflections of several former residents of the parsonage. You may see a copy in the Church library or ask History and Records Committee for more information.
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