History of the Creston Church of God

    In 1890 (Brother) Ezra Smith severed his connections with the United Brethren faith and established within his home a place of worship. which drew people from far and near.

    In the year 1892 Brother D. S. Warner came to the home of Frank Smith, son of Ezra Smith, who lived on the adjoining farm, and held meetings in their living room. He made his home with them while he traveled to the surrounding neighborhood preaching and teaching the gospel. After Brother Warner left, prayer meetings were resumed in a little building on the Ezra Smith's farm, as well as cottage prayer meetings in the various homes. Revivals were held with such ministers as Brother Kilpatrick, Brother William B. Miller, brother Daugherty and others. Many new people found the Lord and rejoiced in this glorious truth.

    In 1905 a building was purchased which was known as the Tank Church due to its location. Brother I. S. McCoy held the first revival in this building. Brother D. T. Koch from Akron, Ohio and Brother and Sister J.W. Henry from Toledo, Ohio came on the week-ends to look after the little group. Finally Sister Henry assisted by Brother Henry, became the pastor a year or two.

    In 1916 a house was purchased in Creston, Ohio, which was about 4 1/2 miles from the Tank Church, to be used as a parsonage, but was rented for two years.  It was not until the Spring of 1918 that it was utilized for the purpose for which it was originally intended. It was in this year, 1918, that Brother George Lorton St. of Springfield, Ohio became the first pastor to live in the parsonage, who was later succeeded by his son, John Lorton.

    In march 1927, Brother and Sister W. I. Plough came to Creaston, and pastored two churches, the one at Tanktown and the other near Rittman, Ohio, known as the Knupps Church of God. For several years they worked under adverse and trying circumstances. It was then decided to abondon the church at Tanktown and Rittman and take all the work to Creston, which was centrally located.