The below document is in the Crawford County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society Church Records Collection.
Lykens United Methodist Church
The Lykens United Methodist Church had its beginning in the year 1878 when a group of believers met at the old Phau home, one mile south and one quarter mile west of Lykens. Later they met in a school building one mile east. In 1880 a frame church was erected a half mile south of Lykens at “Buljo.” The appointment was known as the “Greenwood Church.” Seven years later the North Ohio Railroad was built through Buljo and passed near the church. In 1893 it was decided to move the structure to the village of Lykens. The church was remodeled and a bell tower and bell added. The church was known as the Lykens Evangelical Church, and was pastored by J. S. Fitterer of the Bucyrus Circuit. In June of 1895 a Sunday School was organized, and in 1913 a Ladies Aid was formed.
In the summer of 1937, with Rev. S. E. Drummond in charge, a basement and classrooms were added. During this construction, on June 20, the building was completely destroyed by a tornado. With no storm insurance, the congregation faced a complete loss. However, with the assistance of the Evangelical Ohio Conference and other churches in the community, funds were made available. The congregation purchased an abandoned United Brethren Church located in Benton. This building was moved to Lykens and remodeled with Sunday School rooms added under the supervision of N. M. Keck, both an excellent carpenter and the pastor.
In 1946 came the merger with the United Brethren, and in 1968 the merger with the Methodists to form the United Methodist Church.
In 1985 the church remodeled the basement so that fellowship meals could be served. The pews were refinished; painting inside and outside of the building was completed; and a wooden cross was added to the sanctury, and the beautiful stained glass windows were releaded. In the fall of 1993 a new furnace was installed. In February, 1994, a deed of land was sold to the Board of Trustees of Lykens Township for $1.00 to install a septic system to the new Lykens Firehouse. Later the congregation accepted an offer by the trustees to use their well for the church.
In 1978 the congregation celebrated 100 years of ministry, and in 1988 celebrated 110 years.
