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Brief History of Nast Trinity UMC
Nast Trinity United Methodist Church, now known as Hyde Park Community UMC’s Over-the-Rhine Campus Grace on Race St., was designed by leading Cincinnati architech Samuel Hannaford and completed in 1880 and is the first German Methodist church to be established anywhere in the world.
The church was founded in 1835 after the Ohio Conference had been asked to assign a missionary Pastor William Nast to the burgeoning German population in the area. The building at 1310 Race St. was dedicated on June 3, 1881 and at that time known as the German Methodist Episcopal Church. The 100th Anniversary was celebrated with the name change to Nast Memorial Church to honor Pastor William Nast. In 1958, Nast and Trinity Church merged to form Nast Trinity Methodist Church.
Notable Moments and Ministries:
- First German Methodist Society started in 1838. From these roots German Methodism spread quickly throughout the United States, and missionaries carried German Methodism back to Germany. By 1856 the German work was organized into 15 districts, with 138 churches, 165 German circuit riders, 120 local preachers and more than 200 German Methodist Sunday Schools.
- In 1864, even though the Methodist Episcopal Church split over the issue of slavery, the Centeral German Methodist Conference convened in “Nast’s church on Race Street,” and adopted resolutations endorsing President Lincoln and condemning slavery. Lincoln responded with a hand-written letter of appreciation.
- In 1983, Sunday dinners for Over-the-Rhine neighbors were started because compassionate and energentic member saw that shelters and other providers did not serve meals on the weekends.
- In 1990, recognizing another opportunity to minister to the neighbors, a team of people started a Sunday breakfast ministry.
- In 2005, a Nast Trinity member assembled a team to start Dibblethon, a basketball engagement event for children and youth in Over-the-Rhine. This evolved into a new initative called Saturday Hoops that still meets weekly.
- In 2008, Rev. Dave Weaver is appointed as the pastor of Nast Trinity UMC, returning him in ministry to the community he once served as a neighborhood grocer. West Ohio Conference designated Nast Trinity as a “Mission Congregation.”
- In 2012 the congregation of both Nast Trinity UMC and Hyde Park Community UMC agrees to merge. This ensures that this faith community will continue to serve the OTR community.
Emerging Ministries in Over-the-Rhine
On Sunday, September 15th the OTR Discernment Team presented to over 75 people the approved Servant Leadership Board plan to move forward with creating a plan for emerging ministries at the church building in OTR and a community laundromat and temporary housing at the building adjacent to the OTR church. Everyone present was encouraged to think about ways they might support this vision and possibly serve on one of the 3 working teams (Laundromat Ministry Team, Temporary Housing Ministry Team, and Emerging Ministry Team).
On Wednesday, October 23 a group gathered representing each of the three worship services and 5 generations to begin to dream and plan for next steps in creating emerging ministries at the OTR church building and work to open a community laundromat and temporary housing at the building next door. Pastor Kate discussed how this work is thrilling, important, and daunting as we commit to partnering with God, our OTR neighbors, and various mission partners. Therefore, we would need to ground our work in prayer. While strategy and planning matters, we know that ministry is ignited, fueled and sustained through prayer and seeking God.
Emerging Ministries Team
Amy Greene Tinsley
Austin Tinsley
Elisabeth Kuhlman
Andrea Slone
Katie Whitlock
Ben Owen
Drea Osterbur
Temporary Housing Team
Mary Wheeler
John Fillion
Clif Miller
Bev Connelly
Mike Hickerson
Laundromat
Team
Jill Colaw
Jack English
Melody Riggs
Enneagram Type Discovery Workshop
Friday, February 28th | 6:00-9:00pm
Saturday, March 1st | 11:00am-4:30pm
Cost is $15
Grace on Race St.
(OTR Campus, 1310 Race St.)
The Enneagram is a powerful tool for understanding yourself and others through discovery, reflection, and practice. In this introductory Enneagram workshop, we’ll explore the nine distinct personality types that reveal the deeper “why” behind our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Over the course of two days, Katie Whitlock, an Enneagram practitioner and facilitator, will guide us through the structure of the Enneagram and each personality type. Whether you’re new to the Enneagram and need help identifying your number or just need a refresher, this Type Discovery Workshop will provide a strong foundation for deeper self-awareness.
Understanding You: An Enneagram Journey
March 12th–April 16th
Grace on Race St.
Wednesdays 7:00-8:30pm
(OTR Campus, 1310 Race St.)
This Spring, you’re invited to take an Enneagram deep dive! In this six week class, we will explore the dynamics of stances and triads, understand how we move in times of stress and security, and discover the unique gifts each type brings to the world. Whether you’re taking your first steps with the Enneagram or deepening existing knowledge, you’ll find a welcoming space to explore, question, and grow.
The class is open to everyone and at no cost! While we encourage you to attend all six sessions for a full experience, each session stands on its own, so you’re welcome to join whenever you can.
As a way to support what’s happening at the OTR Campus, we invite you to join us in prayer. By praying daily for the OTR ministries, you are already being a big support!
OTR Campus General Prayer
Creator God, keep us ever mindful of and curious to your presence, thankful for what has been and excited for what is to come in Over-the-Rhine. May we walk in humility as we work to connect with your beloved community. Open our ears so that we would always hear you. Break our hearts for what breaks yours. Holy Spirit lead us always to where you need us to be. Equip us to be a courageous movement embodying hope and love as we proclaim and practice in fresh ways, the Good News to all we encounter. We ask all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen
Laundry Ministry Prayer
Dear God, we pray that as we work to provide fresh perspective to a community please allow us to follow your example of humility and service. Remind us to constantly put the needs of others above our own desires. Help cleanse the souls of all those this ministry will reach and allow us to clean more hearts than clothes. Amen.
Emerging Ministry Prayer
Almighty God, thrill us to your possibilities. Reveal important pathways. While it may be daunting, empower us to know and do your will. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Temporary Housing Ministry Prayer
Creator God, Help our church develop a plan that serves Your will. A plan that allows us to dream exciting big dreams for Your people. A plan that provides our team a THRILLING energy that keeps us motivated. But also one that is grounded and practical so that the plan is achievable. Help us to continue to move forward pushing through the DAUNTING tasks at hand, to be able to do Your IMPORTANT work. Amen
Mission & Outreach
and OTR Campus Team
If you are interested in participating in our community outreach efforts, please contact Rev. Kate Smith, our Pastor of Mission and Outreach or Christina Cotrone, Mission and Outreach Coordinator.