1910

The population in Cheviot was 2,000.  This population boom came as the result of the Westwood Streetcar Line being extended over Harrison Avenue to Glenmore Avenue in 1900.  In 1900, the population was 400.

1912

The Miami Conference of the United Brethren Church assigned a pastor to organize a congregation along with the mission Sunday School in Cheviot. The Cheviot United Brethren Church welcomed ten founding members on June 2, 1912.

The Charter Members were Rev. G. F. Bauer, Harvey Frauman, George Hearne, Mrs. George Hearne, Edgar Mathias, John Mathias, Noah Mathias, Wilson Mathias, Richard Morgan, and William Morgan.  

Charter Members photo below taken to celebrate the 25th Anniversary in 1946 - Standing: Noah Mathias; Seated L-R: John Mathias, George Hearne, William Morgan.

1913

The Men's Club and the Ladies Aid Society were organized to create outlets for lay activities in support of the Cheviot Church. 1913 Ladies Aid Society photo c1937 (below)

1914

The Christian Endeavor Society was organized to provide the youth of the Church with an opportunity to serve the Cheviot Church.

1916

The first structure was a chapel which was referred to as “the church built in a day,” as the community erected the framework and had a roof on it in a single day.  This first structure was replaced in 1916 with a temporarily covered basement that could serve as a church until a complete building could be afforded.  This basement structure contained a swimming pool.  Also a parsonage was built in 1916 on the opposite corner as the church at Woodbine and Lovell, a block north of the original meeting site. 

Sunday School scholars could secure three tickets to use the church swimming pool for a dime, all others who used the pool would pay five cents each. In the beginning of the week, the pool was partly filled and small children were invited to use it. More water was added later in the week for older children to use. By the end of the week, the water was deep and real swimmers had their turn.

1918

Boy Scout Troop 201 was chartered as an integral part of the extension of fellowship of the Cheviot Church.

1921 - 1922

The congregation looked forward to the new church over the basement structure. Building codes made it necessary to abandon their original plans and raze the foundation and basement. After selecting new plans, the new church building was completed and dedicated on May 28, 1922 at a cost of $51,000. This building still stands at Woodbine & Lovell and is now the home of the Cincinnati Community Church.

1924

The Women's Missionary Association was organized as a second outlet for the ladies' support of Cheviot Church.

1931

Cheviot had a population of 8046 in 1931, which constituted a city.

1932

The Daughters of the King Sunday School Class and Alpha Gamma Chi were organized as formal units to provide service to the Cheviot United Brethren Church.

1932 Daughters of the King Sunday School; class photo c1946 (below)

1934

Cub Pack II was founded to provide scouting activities to boys in the years of Boy Scout age. The first midnight Christmas Eve Service was held, beginning a tradition of joy, beauty and reverence which is popular yet today.

Christmas Eve Midnight Service, photo c1975, at current Westwood Northern Blvd location (below)

1938

The sanctuary was remodeled including the addition of the painting of the Good Shepherd on the front wall behind the altar.

1942

The Women's Society of World Service was organized as a unifying force to replace the Ladies' Aid Society and the Women's Missionary Association.

1944

The mortgage for the parsonage was paid.

1946

The Evangelical and the United Brethren Churches merged.  Cheviot Evangelical United Church was created.  The first worship service was on March 24, 1946. 

The mortgage for the original church structure was burned during the Silver Jubilee year of that building in May, 1946. (below) 

The picture below shows the 1946 Childrens Church School including Doris Ernst (back row) and Charlie Sparenberg (front row).  Doris Ernst taught Sunday School at CUMC for 75 years.  Charlie Sparenberg is a very active member of our church.  He began by attending our Sunday School, Boy Scouts, and Youth Group.  As an adult, he has taught Sunday school, was the Youth Group leader, and has served on many committees including Investments, Finance, and Ad Council. 

1951

Two adjoining properties to the Woodbine and Lovell property were purchased in anticipation of the expanding needs of the growing congregation.

1954

Jean Mathias made the nativity set that is set up on the altar in the Sanctuary each Christmas.  Jean’s husband was one of our charter members, Noah Mathias. 

1956

Plans and decisions to leave the Woodbine and Lovell location were made after many prayerful considerations. Early in 1956 the Westwood Northern Boulevard was extended, opening up some new land appropriate for building purposes and gave the opportunity to find an adequate church site which had been sought for several years. The decision was made and approved by the congregation to purchase eight acres with 330-foot frontage on the north side of the boulevard. The transaction was completed on June 22, 1956.

A new pipe organ was purchased and installed. The instrument was designed to be easily moved to another location if the decision to re-locate would be made. It is the essence of the pipe organ in the Boulevard Church today.

1962

The picture below shows Pastor Freshley and his family from 1962.  Carol Gangwer, our current Director of Music, is listed as the organist near the bottom of the page.  

1963

After several years of fund-raising and planning the ground breaking for a new church was held September 29, 1963. Turning the first shovelful of earth were Rev. E. S. Comrey (pastor emeritus), William Morgan (charter member), Mrs. Grace McEntire (widow of Pastor Frank McEntire), and Mrs. Marcella Guthrie.

1964

Construction of the new structure on the Boulevard occupied most of this year. The cornerstone was laid on May 24, 1964.

The last formal service in the old Woodbine and Lovell church was held November 8, 1964.

The dedication ceremony and the first service took place at the new Westwood Northern location on November 15, 1964.

During the planning and building program, it was decided to name certain areas as memorials to people who served and gave spiritual leadership to the church. Thus the free-standing tower, “The Comrey Campanile” was named for The Rev. Edwin Comrey, who served as pastor from 1914-1924.

1968

The Evangelical United Brethren Church merged with the Methodist Church denomination to create the United Methodist Church. Cheviot United Methodist Church was thereby formed.

1970s

Below are photos of the Children's Choir (circa 1970 - 1972).