Grace Evangelical and Reformed Church 

The Grace Church became a formally organized congregation in 1889. The place of worship on Main Street was erected the following year and has been the home of the congregation since that time.  

In 1887 Rev. J. B. Zumpe was attending the interests of the Reformed people who resided in Sharpsville. The first meetings of the original group of 16 brought together by Rev. Zumpe were held in the United Brethren Church. Until the acquisition of their own place of worship, they also were privileged to gather in the Baptist and Presbyterian churches.  

Rev. J. L. Mayer assumed the care of the Sharpsville people during the time he was supply pastor to the Sharon Charge. It was then that the house of worship on Main Street was built, being dedicated October 12, 1890.

In 1891 Jerusalem Church, formerly on the Sharon-Mercer road, was joined with Grace Church by action of the St. Paul’s Classis, thus forming the Sharpsville Charge. This relation of the two congregations was finally dissolved by the Classis in 1909.  

In May 1891 Rev. U. O. Derschner was named by the Classis to supply the Charge. He continued in this capacity until August of that year when he was elected and duly installed as pastor of the Charge.  

The Church school building was erected and the original edifice was renovated in 1928. The dedication of the new addition and the improvements was held in October of that year. In 1938 the interior of the sanctuary was redecorated and rededicated. This congregation ceased to exist as a church. The building was sold to the Hickory Baptist Church. [The church is now the West Side Baptist Church.]

From Sharpsville Centennial Commemorative Booklet, 1974, page 43.