History

A long heritage of faith

Our congregation was started by European immigrants who had been associated with the Evangelical Baptist church of Europe. They came to America because they were denied freedom of worship in their homeland, and were drawn to the Tremont area by the fertile farm ground. Benedict Weyeneth, a leader in the Evangelical Baptist church, came to America to pastor the growing groups of Evangelical Baptist believers and help them establish churches. The first elder of the Tremont congregation was Michael Reuter, ordained in 1854.

The first church building was constructed in 1870 near Dillon and baptisms were conducted in the Dillon creek. In 1881 a larger church was built a half mile south of Tremont with a boardwalk connecting it to the town of Tremont. At this time the church grew to around 200 members, most of whom lived in or near Tremont with fewer living around Dillon. In 1910 a two-story church was built on Chestnut street at the front of what is now the church cemetery. As the congregation continued to grow, a brick church was constructed on Franklin Street which is still used today. A fellowship hall was added near the church in 1977.

In recent history, the church has been shepherded by brothers Daniel Koch, Charles Sauder, Steve Sauder and James Fehr.

For thou, O God, hast heard my vows:

thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.

Psalms 61:5