A 100-year-old quilt comes home: Massillon church artifact found in Texas

MASSILLON ? Its trip back home took more than 30 years, a little serendipity and the emergence of Google.

But a historical quilt has found its way from Texas back to Grace United Church of Christ.

The handmade "signature" quilt contains the names of generations of members of the First Reformed Church, the congregation's original name.

"It's a wonderful piece of history kept in phenomenal shape," said the Rev. Karen McEwen, senior pastor at Grace UCC at 933 W. Main St..

How did the Grace UCC quilt end up in Texas?

McEwen received an email in the spring from the Rev. Amy Mercer, a retired Methodist pastor in Texas, who owned the quilt and whose church was hosting a quilt show.

Mercer told her that she had purchased the quilt from a dealer in 1991 but had been unable to trace its origin, partly because the church's name was changed in the 1940s.

"We're not sure how it got down there," McEwen said. "Perhaps it was given to someone, and their kids decided to sell it to a dealer. (Mercer) said she contacted the Massillon Library back in 1991. Until Google came along, she didn't know the church still existed."

Quilters Guild forges deep friendships: 'There's something about a quilt': Canton Quilters Guild celebrates 25 years

Founded in 1894, the First Reformed Church stood on a wedge of land at Lincoln Way W and West Main Street. The current building was completed in 1931.

"It was a mission church, supported by people back East," McEwen said. "In 17 years, the church became self-supporting. We think, because of the names on it, that the quilt was a fundraiser, but we actually don't know. We looked through some old, dusty records but none of them said anything about a quilt."

As Mercer prepared to display the quilt in Houston earlier this year, McEwen said, "Someone suggested she 'Google' it."

Mercer found a Canton Repository news story about Grace UCC that mentioned "First Reformed."

In addition to the names, the quilt is also embossed with symbols associated with Christianity, including crosses and lilies.

McEwen said they know the quilt was likely crafted in the 1920s because it contains variegated or multi-colored thread, which wasn't available in the 1930s.

Quilts with a message: Quilts of Honor give veterans 'Hugs of Gratitude'

The quilt includes numerous forebearers of Stan Crofut, who joined Grace UCC in the 1950s with his parents after serving in the military.

"They were members of Myers Church, then they came here," he said.

Crofut, who pointed out his grandmother's maiden name and that of some aunts and cousins, is one of three active church members who have relatives represented on the quilt, which was done in "Dresden fan" style.

Grace UCC quilt comes home to Massillon

In April, McEwen traveled to Texas to retrieve the quilt, and this, too, held a surprise. The church is located in Spring, Texas, a Houston suburb where McEwen has family.

"We used to go to Spring ever year. It's where all my family lives," she said. "All my cousins graduated from Klein High School, which is near Spring. Of all the places in Texas. To some people it may be an odd coincidence, but I call it a 'God coincidence,' at least for me."

The quilt was presented in Grace Church last month on Pentecost Sunday, but McEwen said that because the panels are hand-tied and not sewn, displays will be limited to holidays and other special occasions. Meanwhile, it will be stored in an acid-free box.

"What I love is we've had a history of resilience, and also of God's providence," she said.

Though membership at Grace UCC is about 60 members, McEwen noted that they are a dedicated congregation who recently hosted a free breakfast that served more than 300. In June, they distributed more than 200 "blessing bags."

"Of all the churches I've served, they have more hands-on ministry than any church I've been at," she said.

To view a video about the quilt visit: https://www.facebook.com/grace1931/videos/341901038646473/.

"We actually made the news in Houston," McEwen said laughing.

Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or [email protected].

On Twitter: @cgoshayREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Massillon Grace UCC missing church quilt turns up in Texas