About Us
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them"
[Matthew 18:20]
Attaining a Church vision is a lifelong process.
Our vision is to:
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Go to God in Prayer daily
Spend time daily studying the Bible
Teach People how to become disciples
Be a place to worship God
Support our Church with our prayers, presence, gifts and services
Be a place of spiritual fellowship
Lead many to become mature disciples of Christ
Pastor Sandi Dennis
Pastor Sandi grew up in Delphos, Ohio, and attended the University of Northwestern Ohio. After graduating, she relocated to Illinois to work as a caseworker for The Salvation Army. It was there that her journey into ministry truly began; first leading Vacation Bible School (VBS), then teaching children’s Sunday School, and eventually stepping into the pulpit to preach.
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The call to ministry that Sandi had felt from an early age soon became unmistakable, leading her to apply to the seminary in Chicago. She was accepted with the understanding that she would first serve as a church assistant for up to two years. Sent to a Salvation Army Church in Waterloo, Iowa, she worked alongside a pastoral couple, Major and Mrs. Thomas, whom she credits for teaching her so much about the foundations of ministry.
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Thoroughly enjoying her time in seminary, Sandi found her deepest joy in her Bible classes, alongside a strong passion for Hebrew and Doctrine. To further hone her skills, she later undertook advanced Hebrew studies with a reform rabbi. Continually dedicated to her growth as a leader, she is currently enrolled in the Course of Study at Methesco (Methodist Theological School in Ohio) in Delaware, Ohio.
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Pastor Sandi began serving Nelson UMC in 2018, and added Garrettsville UMC in 2024. Over the years, she has witnessed new faces walk through the doors, new decisions made for Christ, and wonderful spiritual growth within her congregations. For Sandi, witnessing this transformation is the greatest blessing a pastor can experience.
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"Ministry is my ultimate passion. There is nothing I enjoy more than seeing the Word of God come alive in the hearts and minds of God’s people, and witnessing the beautiful changes that take place in their lives because of it."
Our History:
2026 marks the 212th anniversary of Nelson United Methodist Church making it the oldest continuously operating church in northeast Ohio. The church was first organized in 1814 in the home of Isaac Mills who was the brother of one of the original settlers of Nelson Township. Originally, the church was called the Methodist Episcopal Church and was part of the New Connecticut Circuit.
In 1832, after 18 years of worship in the Mill’s home, the congregation obtained land and made a commitment to build their own church for the convenience of people to attend meetings. The contract for construction was signed on April 27, 1833, and allowed until September 1, 1833, for completion. The contractor received $250 for his work, not including materials. Quite the bargain! Everything was to be done in “a good workmanlike manner.”
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We still hold worship service in this same building today. Of course, there have been quite a few changes over the years.
In 1913, a basement was added to serve as a fellowship hall, new pews were obtained in 1920 and electricity was installed in 1925. Indoor bathrooms were finally added in 1966 and we got hot water for the first time in 1989! We also built our first parsonage in 1989 and until that time, the pastor lived with a church member or rented a small room in town. In 2012 the basement fellowship hall was remodeled and in 2019, a front porch and awning were added to protect the iconic red front doors.
