Celebrating Our 50th Anniversary
Since we began planning Portage Faith’s 50th Anniversary celebration this year, we searched for a photo of the May 18, 1975 “pilgrimage” from Shalersville and Mantua to our new church building while it was under construction.
The photo of “the pilgrimage” turned up this summer. It was in the time capsule, behind our church’s cornerstone. You can view this photo here.
Ever since that photo was found, I’ve been thinking about it. It’s an old black and white photo. In front of the group is Pastor Ron Huff, carrying a Bible and a shepherd’s staff, along with a couple of Scouts carrying an American flag and a Christian flag. If you zoom in on the photo you can make out someone in the crowd of walkers carrying a big sign, “Come Now With Me To Portage Faith United Methodist Church”.
Our church began with a highly symbolic public act. We stopped traffic on SR 44. Our community noticed us. The black and white photo looks more like a protest march than a pilgrimage. It was a bold way to begin a new church. We invested in a vision God gave us with faith and courage.
I’m confident that God has a vision for Portage Faith UMC today. In the coming months I invite us to pause and pray as a congregation.
The Walk from Shalersville
Portage Faith United Methodist Church
1975
Together we need to listen for what direction God is calling us to move. We’ll be gentle, we’ll have fun together, and we’ll see if we can hear God’s voice speak to us.
2025 has been a wonderful year of celebration for our Portage Faith Church. Thanks go to the 50th Anniversary Committee who planned this year’s events. We are especially grateful to Doris Gharky for her outstanding leadership as chair of our 50th Anniversary Committee.
We are called to build a future founded on our past. God will provide the vision. Together we will act with faith and courage as a congregation.
Pastor Bill
