It's not Jericho in the year 1400 BCE, but the walls came tumbling down Monday at the site of the former First Baptist Church of Ada, in the 100 block of East Highland Avenue, where many a sermon was preached and weddings and funerals were held.
The property has been owned by Midwest Rehab Inc. for several years. The brick portion to the north will be saved. The stained glass windows were taken out by the wrecking ball. Several years ago, the church moved to West North Street (State Route 81) where there was more space for worship and activities, land and parking.
Story and photos by Monty Siekerman
Each town's festival is unique.
A distinctive feature of the Ada Harvest and Herb Fest is the participation of a number of churches, which see the event as an opportunity to get the word out about their church, a.k.a. evangelism.
Some churches make a few dollars for their mission projects through the sale of food and bake sales, but all are welcoming and hopeful that new members will attend. Both village and country churches can be found at the Fest.
Six of Ada's churches are part of this photo essay. Here are descriptions of the photos posted below:
Liberty Baptist Church will celebrate its 20th anniversary Sunday, Aug. 9. Special meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m., nightly from Wednesday, Aug. 5, through Saturday, Aug. 8, according to Dr. Lon A. Taylor, pastor.
Sunday service begins at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. There will be a carry-in lunch after the morning service.
The church was officially formed Aug. 9, 1995. Gus Guthrie was the first pastor. On March 8, 1998, Lon Taylor became pastor. He and his wife, Shirl, will celebrate their 18th year with the congregation in March.
First United Methodist Church and Sugar Grove United Methodist Church will hold their summer Vacation Bible School from Sunday, Aug. 2, to Wednesday, Aug. 5, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the First UMC, Ada.
This year's VBS theme centers on devouring The Fruits of the Spirit. Those include patience, faithfulness, self-control, kindness, joy, gentleness, love, goodness and peace.
VBS is open to youth ages 3 to sixth grade. To register your child email to: [email protected], or call the church at 419-634-4626 between 9 a.m. and noon Mondays through Fridays.
Two knights (Wyatt Helton, red shirt; Josh Arnett, black shirt) have a jousting match at Ada Full Gospel Church VBS on Monday evening.
Attendance was high: 121 kids participated the first night.
The church, located just north of Ada on SR 235, goes all-out to interest children in the Bible.
Here's a description of the VBS from its planners: "Grab your expedition gear and prepare for Journey Off the Map! Come join us as we discover truths about Jesus - the Ultimate Guide! Kids will enter the Worship Rally at Overlook and make their first stop in the Tangled Branch Tree House for Bible study.
