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The Wooden Cross
A wooden cross has been placed in the Narthex of David Lutheran Church. The plaque to the left of the cross reads:
A young man and his wife left their home in Pennsylvania in 1830 to seek fertile farmland in Ohio. They traveled the rough terrain by covered wagon in hopes of finding the ideal location to build their home. This move west was not because they were seeking adventure but because of their marriage. The young man, who was raised in a strict Lutheran family and the young woman who was the daughter of a Reform minister decided to marry despite their religious differences and the fact that their marriage was not acceptable to their families. The couple decided it best to make a life of their own, totally detached from their immediate families.
As they came through central Ohio they found a small stream, surrounded by fertile farmland with elevations suitable for a home. The land could be purchased, so a small log cabin was built on a knoll overlooking Walnut Creek.
The young man, John Henry Dietz and his wife Elizabeth (Geistweit) worshipped together each Sunday and invited everyone they met to join them. The number grew rapidly and strong friendships developed. This group of people from mainly German descent, were a great influence in the development of the village of Canal Winchester.
The United Brethren, Reform, and Lutheran Churches were eventually founded from worshippers in this group.
The log cabin stood for six generations on the Dietz farm until the summer of 1982, when John Dietz (great-great-grandson of the builder) decided to tear it down. He offered some of the logs to Mr. Don Miller who readily accepted them. Mr. James Castro constructed a cross from the logs for David Lutheran Church. We now have this meaningful cross dedicated in the glory of God and to those who came before us.
May it always remind us of our duty to lead others to know our Lord Jesus Christ.
April 1984
Frances S. Steube
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