History of the S. K. Holtsinger Memorial Presbyterian Church

On July 10, 1904 some of the citizens of Gano felt the need for a church. They met in a small chapel built in 1886 and organized themselves into the First Presbyterian Church of Gano. The Rev. Thomas C. McNary of Mason, Ohio, was the presiding minister. The Rev. S. K. Holtsinger assisted. The new church was notified in December that it had not been organized according to the Dayton Presbytery requirements so on January 10, 1905, the procedure was done properly and the church was truly official. On April 30, 1905, Rev. Holtsinger became the appointed minister.

The church grew in numbers and soon the small chapel was not large enough. The property on which to build a new church was donated and the people of the church raised the money to build it. On October 10, 1907, just a few months before the church was completed, Rev. Holtsinger died. The church was renamed the S. K. Holtsinger Memorial Presbyterian Church in his honor. The dedication of the church was held on May 16 and 17, 1908.

In the late 1930's the church began a decline. The last session meeting was on March 31, 1940 and no services were held in the church for four years. During the summer of 1944 some of the original members of the church held meetings and plans were made to reopen the church. With the aid and advice of the Cincinnati Presbytery the necessary funds were gathered and the church reopened.

A 33 foot by 33 foot addition to the church was started on March 12, 1996 and was dedicated in November of 1997. Since 1997, new front doors, concrete steps and walkway to the main entrance of the church, a block retaining wall (to hold back the hillside) and a paved parking lot and driveway to circle the church were completed. A membership of 26 people completed these last projects.

The church goes on. Its attendance has not changed dramatically, because the census of this little community has not increased rapidly. The church is still in a small country community setting, where the roads all curve around the low hillside.

"I moved to Gano when I was twelve years old and to my delight there was a beautiful little country church with the nicest people and the finest Sunday School teachers I could want."

"I love this little community and the church that is the community center. There are many different religions in Gano, but they all come to support the church in our various activities, whether they are fund-raisers or just getting together for a picnic or sing-a-long. I joined the church when I was fifteen and have done my best to be an active member since that time."

"I believe in a little country church with its loving and caring concern for all its members and friends. I am pleased that the children who attend our church truly believe that it is theirs. They participate in the worship and take pride in being acolytes. In todayıs world this church is user-friendly."

-Laura Clontz