Our History
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, … let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
-Hebrews 12:1-2
In 2010, Liberty celebrated 200 years of worship and service on the banks of the Olentangy River.
For most of its history, Liberty has been a small, quiet church situated in a stable farming community (being recognized twice as a “Rural Church of Distinction”).
In 1810, eight members of the extended Thomas & Sarah Cellar family, plus Leonard Monroe, organized Liberty Presbyterian Church. For its first 26 years, Liberty shared a pastor and Session with the Presbyterian congregations in Delaware and Radnor.
In 1820, Thomas’ sons George and John built the wood-frame meeting house that is still used as our Chapel, situated beside the settlers’ cemetery. (Our Chapel is the oldest continuously-used worship building in Delaware County.)
Liberty became a stand-alone congregation in 1836.
By the late 1960s, the growth of Columbus’ suburbs began to impact the church; the congregation continued to increase over the next three decades, culminating in the building of our Barn Sanctuary in 1995. This construction substantially changed Liberty into a large regional church. In 2009, the Carriage House was built for children’s and adult classes.
During 2019-2020, the historic grange meeting hall was fully renovated and renamed Fearing Hall, in memory of Liberty member Doris Fearing. This stand-alone building hosts everyone from various recovery groups to classes for youth and adults.
Embracing, integrating, and shaping our fast-changing community is Liberty’s great opportunity over the next twenty-five years. As we look forward to our third century, Liberty is committed to deepening our mission of making wholehearted followers of Jesus, particularly in the areas of outreach to others, ministry to children & youth, and adult spiritual growth.
Chapel’s Past, Present, and Future
Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the Chapel “I have consecrated this house, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and...
History of the Chapel
Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the Chapel Liberty Church was founded in 1810 by three families: the Cellars, the McKinnies, and the Monroes....
Fun Chapel Facts
Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the Chapel The front doors of the Chapel are the original doors installed when the church was built. In 1902,...