History

History of the Sharon Church – Manchester

The Sharon Class met March 22, 1874. Rev. Edward Weiss, class leader from Freedom, “came to Sharon to make himself acquainted and make new members.” His text was Psalms 23:2: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.

There were 15 charter members. The group grew to 20 during that first winter.

The class had been talking and making plans of building a church. Up to now the class met in a school house 2 miles east of the Manchester-Chelsea/Pleasant Lake Road corner.

The West Freedom Class and the Sharon Class held a meeting on January 25, 1876 and decided to build a church. The location they decided should be at Rowe’s Corners. They decided the church should be built 50 feet by 32 feet, 3 windows on each side, 2 windows on the end and 1 door. The church should be made of brick. Masonry and carpentry work was to be awarded to the lowest bidder. Members would furnish and put everything on the building site. Masonry work was to be done by July 15th and carpentry work finished by September 1, 1876.

The church was dedicated November 12, 1876.

An article in the Manchester Enterprise, November 16, 1876, stated: “Last Sunday the new church erected by the Evangelical Association on what is known as Rowe’s Corners, in Sharon, with appropriate and impressive ceremonies, was sacredly dedicated to the worship and service of Almighty God...The church is a beautiful brick structure, 33 x 51 feet, surmounted by a spire 83 feet, with bell, pulpit and furniture all complete. It cost $3,591 and is a model of neatness, reflecting credit alike upon the building committee and contractors.

The first pastor of Sharon was Rev. Edward Weiss who also served Freedom and Lima Center. The church is known as Evangelical Association and our church was called the Salems Church.