The First Methodist Church; 2nd in series

OHIO'S HISTORICAL MARKERS
in Richland County

One of the three markers on Mansfield's square celebrates the first religious service in Mansfield.  It is located directly in front of the First United Methodist Church on the northeast corner of Park Ave. East and N. Diamond St.  It also was the first historical marker established in Richland County in 1978.

That church is regarded as the oldest religious congregation in north-central Ohio because the Reverend James Copus preached the first sermon at the "spring" there in 1809--just six years after Ohio became a state.

Services were then moved to the blockhouse on the square in 1811and into an early courthouse also on the square in 1813. The first church building was built in 1820 at the corner of Park Ave East and Adams St and another at the present site in 1870.

Local history enthusiasts will correctly associate Rev. Copus' name with the Copus Massacre where the reverend, several neighbors and three soldiers were killed in Mifflin Township of Ashland County in September 1812.