{"id":17524,"date":"2025-10-23T20:05:57","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T20:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=17524"},"modified":"2025-10-30T14:20:20","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T14:20:20","slug":"braden-united-methodist-church-celebrates-117-years-in-service-to-the-local-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/23\/braden-united-methodist-church-celebrates-117-years-in-service-to-the-local-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Braden United Methodist Church Celebrates 117 Years In Service to the Local Community"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"The Truth Staff<\/em><\/p>\n

Braden United Methodist Church held its 117th<\/sup> Homecoming Celebration on Sunday, October 12, and the congregation honored the special occasion to the theme of \u201cThough we are MANY, yet we are ONE.\u201d \u2013 Romans 12: 1-8.<\/p>\n

Sunday\u2019s Order of Service began with a gathering of the congregation at 10 a.m., followed by a procession to music and the rhythms of Don Lynn, an open hymn by the congregation and the welcome be Pastor Rev. Ernest P. Ologo.<\/p>\n

Over the past 117 years, Braden UMC has seen more than a few changes \u2013 locations and pastors.<\/p>\n

The church, which once sat at the corner of Lawrence and Woodruff, was in the center of the city, surrounded by families young and old, with varying professions and diverse in age. In its prime, youth filled this space, roaming through the halls, up and down the stairways-in and throughout the classrooms for any number of activities including Vacation Bible School, The Toledo Ecumenical Youth Council, or even the youth choir.<\/p>\n

\u201cNew Braden\u201d has now been located within the Reynolds Corner area since 2009 and sits next door to the Inverness Club where an annual Independence Day celebration is held, as the church hosts a community picnic complete with food and games.<\/p>\n

Braden\u2019s first pastor was Rev. George Chin who served the congregation from 1908 to 1918. Recent pastors have included Rev. Albert Redd (1966 \u2013 1986); Rev. William Davis (1986 \u2013 1996); Rev. Roland Moore (1996- 2004); Rev. Donnetta Peaks (interim 2005); Rev. Wynston Dixon (2005 \u2013 2018); Rev. Cecil Fitzgerald Thompson (2018- 2023)<\/p>\n

Through the years, although Braden has seen many changes, having had two previous locations in Toledo as well as a number of pastors who have served the congregation, the church recently entered a new season.<\/p>\n

Pastor Ologo began his service with the church in 2024, following the leadership of his predecessor, Rev. Cecil J. Fitzgerald Thompson, who was also present for the 117th<\/sup> celebration.<\/p>\n

Marie Bush, PhD, acknowledged the visitors and guests, led a scripture reading and introduced the morning speaker, Rev. Damon Horton, pastor of Corinth Baptist Church here in Toledo. Horton pastors Corinth Baptist alongside his wife, Marquisa Horton. He has served in the ministry for 20 years, was ordained in 2016 and elevated to Elder in 2017.<\/p>\n

In addition, Horton serves as vice president\/program director of Pathway for Successful Leadership and is a parent liaison at Imagine Madison School for the Arts.<\/p>\n

After Horton\u2019s sermon, the congregation presented an offering and Pastor Ologo made the closing remarks, followed by a benediction by Rev. William Davis.<\/p>\n

The congregation was treated to a luncheon in the Wynston Dixon Fellowship Hall following service.<\/p>\n