Zion United Church of Christ
St. Paul Church & School
Listen now
Enjoy the following panel narration by local citizens.
Street Names
Kolp Place SW—Named after Henry Kolp who owned a house in the 1870’s at the corner of S. Main St. This area would become the location of Kolp Place SW. Members of the Kolp family have been active in the St. Paul Parish since the 1850’s.
History Here
Schafer and Messerly Drug Store—The Schafer & Messerly Drug Store was a very popular hangout for youngsters. The store featured a soda fountain luncheonette. It was founded in 1914 by Charlie Schafer and his brother-in-law Max Messerly and was in business until 1971. Charlie Schafer was mayor of New Berlin from 1916 to 1918.
1910 Zion Reformed Church (location of current church building)
Interior of the 1847 St. Paul Church
1909 St. Paul Church Cornerstone Ceremony
The Kreighbaum house stood at the location of this Heritage Trail panel
1919 St. Paul School Students and teachers
(Church—School was located just north of the St. Paul Cemetery)
Historical Figures
Rev. John H. Beck — He became the pastor of the local Zion Reformed Church in 1878. He represented a new breed of Ohio clergymen. Rev. Beck was born in New York City, a graduate of Heidelberg College and the seminary, his zeal and commitment would equal that of the German pastors. Under his leadership, it was decided the future for the church was in the village of New Berlin. In 1881, the Reformed congregation moved away from their original site on Pittsburg Road into a new Gothic church on S. Main St.
Zion United Church of Christ Historical Figures:
Rev. Melvin E. Beck — Rev. Beck took over the congregation in 1929 and guided it through two pivotal times in our countries history, the Great Depression and World War II. Despite these troubled times, he was able to foster the continued growth of the congregation. Under his leadership, an English basement was added to the expanding church structure. The second floor had to wait until after World War II ended and was opened in 1950. He initiated plans to build a new sanctuary which was completed three years after he retired in 1952.
St. Paul Church and School Historical Figures:
Rev. John B. Burkel — He administered to the spiritual needs of St. Paul Parish primarily on a monthly basis while based in Harrisburg from 1876 to 1878 and then again while based in Canton from 1882 until 1896. He became the first resident Pastor for the parish on November 6, 1896. He served the growing parish into the 20th century until resigning due to ill health in 1904. He is buried in the St. Paul Church cemetery.
Rev. Jos. J. Schmit — He succeeded Rev. Joseph Gerz in 1917 and continued his predecessor's plans to establish a parochial school. He oversaw the conversion of the old church building into a temporary school which began educating the local youth in 1919. Father Schmit’s leadership led to the opening of a brand new school building in 1922. Later that year, due in part to his zealous and energetic nature, he was singled out by the Bishop to establish a new St. Clement Parish in Lakewood, Ohio.
Heritage Trail Sponsors:
Herbert W. Hoover Foundation
Walsh University
North Canton Public Library
Gary and Rita Wechter Family
North Canton Public Library
Cerreta Family
Stroia Family
