How it all started...
In 1916, Reverend W.E. Turner, the State Evangelist for the Churches of God in Ohio, felt a strong calling to establish a Church of God congregation in Celina. With several churches already thriving in other parts of Mercer County, Celina was a natural next step.
Initial interest meetings were met with enthusiasm, and soon a tent was purchased and set up on West Market Street to host revival services. Under the leadership of Rev. Turner—and through the faithful efforts of many men and women—the Lord blessed the movement. Lives were changed, souls were saved, and a new church family began to take shape. From those revival meetings, The Celina First Church of God was officially born.
As winter approached, the fledgling congregation knew they needed shelter from the cold. They quickly erected a simple “tabernacle”—a barn-like structure—to move out of the tent and into a more protected space. At the same time, plans were laid for a permanent church home. That vision became reality when, on June 6, 1920, a new building at the corner of Brandon and Livingston Streets was dedicated to the glory of God.
Initial interest meetings were met with enthusiasm, and soon a tent was purchased and set up on West Market Street to host revival services. Under the leadership of Rev. Turner—and through the faithful efforts of many men and women—the Lord blessed the movement. Lives were changed, souls were saved, and a new church family began to take shape. From those revival meetings, The Celina First Church of God was officially born.
As winter approached, the fledgling congregation knew they needed shelter from the cold. They quickly erected a simple “tabernacle”—a barn-like structure—to move out of the tent and into a more protected space. At the same time, plans were laid for a permanent church home. That vision became reality when, on June 6, 1920, a new building at the corner of Brandon and Livingston Streets was dedicated to the glory of God.
Expanding the vision...
By the mid-1980s, the congregation was thriving—growing in number, reaching out to the community, and faithfully serving the Lord. However, the building on Brandon Avenue had become outdated and could no longer accommodate the church’s expanding needs. Recognizing the challenge, a committee was formed to explore options, and plans were soon set in motion for a new facility on Fairground Road.
Though the journey had its share of ups and downs, the new building was completed and joyfully dedicated in 1989. Designed with accessibility in mind, the entire structure is on one level, eliminating the need for stairs. Additionally, surrounding acreage was purchased to ensure the church would have room to grow and would never feel boxed in, as it once had on Brandon Avenue.
In the years that followed, the congregation added a full gymnasium, flanked by children’s classrooms to support a growing ministry to young families. From 2014 to 2017, the church underwent a major renovation. While the structure remained unchanged, nearly every space within was refreshed and modernized, ensuring the building continues to feel like home for both longtime members and new faces alike.
Though the journey had its share of ups and downs, the new building was completed and joyfully dedicated in 1989. Designed with accessibility in mind, the entire structure is on one level, eliminating the need for stairs. Additionally, surrounding acreage was purchased to ensure the church would have room to grow and would never feel boxed in, as it once had on Brandon Avenue.
In the years that followed, the congregation added a full gymnasium, flanked by children’s classrooms to support a growing ministry to young families. From 2014 to 2017, the church underwent a major renovation. While the structure remained unchanged, nearly every space within was refreshed and modernized, ensuring the building continues to feel like home for both longtime members and new faces alike.
Where we are headed...
In the summer of 2024, our congregation took a page from our own history and raised a tent on the southern lawn. With tremendous growth in recent years, our sanctuary can no longer hold everyone at once, leading us to hold multiple Sunday services. The tent gathering gave us a special opportunity to come together as one church family—worshiping side by side and remembering our humble beginnings more than 100 years ago.
By God’s amazing grace, Celina First continues to see lives transformed. People are still being saved, baptized, and discipled in the name of Jesus. We are a vibrant, multi-generational church—welcoming everyone from newborns to those in their nineties. Though we are based in Celina, our church family reaches across the Grand Lake region, with people coming from many surrounding towns.
Our mission remains much the same as it was in the beginning: to introduce people to Jesus and help them follow Him. We’d love for you to be a part of that mission as we carry our 100+ year legacy into the future.
By God’s amazing grace, Celina First continues to see lives transformed. People are still being saved, baptized, and discipled in the name of Jesus. We are a vibrant, multi-generational church—welcoming everyone from newborns to those in their nineties. Though we are based in Celina, our church family reaches across the Grand Lake region, with people coming from many surrounding towns.
Our mission remains much the same as it was in the beginning: to introduce people to Jesus and help them follow Him. We’d love for you to be a part of that mission as we carry our 100+ year legacy into the future.
