History of Rose Run Presbyterian Church
Founding and Early Growth
In January 1999, recognizing the significant population growth in northeast Franklin county, the Columbus-based Presbytery of Scioto Valley of the Presbyterian Church (USA) created New Albany Presbyterian Church (NAPC). For several years NAPC held fellowship meetings and worship services at the firehouse, the old village hall, the wellness center, and later in the atrium of the elementary school.
In 2005, NAPC began a building campaign to acquire land for the building of a church campus. The 11.5 acre plot at 5220 Johnstown Road was acquired in November 2009. In 2011, the Presbytery of Scioto Valley sold the Geneva Hills camp property in the Hocking Hills area of southeastern Ohio, and from the proceeds of the sale, gave NAPC a grant of $500,000 toward the NAPC church building. In June 2011, NAPC broke ground on its new church building; NAPC moved into its building in August 2012. |
Charter signing at the elementary school (March 2005)
The first Session was installed at the elementary school with many future Rose Run members and friends (2005)
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The building committee, with many future Rose Run members and supporters (Sept 2010)
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Church construction (Jan 2012)
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Steeple installation (Oct 2012)
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Theological Differences Emerge
In January 2011, the leadership of NAPC began to adopt theological perspectives that departed from PC(USA) theology. For example, NAPC adopted a “Statement of Beliefs” that included the concept of the inerrancy of the Bible, a theological perspective at odds with that of the PC(USA), and took more conservative approaches to ordination questions and same sex marriage. This was shortly after the 219th General Assembly of the PC(USA) approved a measure allowing the ordination of LGBT clergy and congregational leadership, and after the Presbytery of Scioto Valley passed the measure as well. The “Statement of Beliefs” was adopted despite the contrary views of a substantial minority of the members. NAPC made adherence to the “Statement of Beliefs” and to these more conservative principles a prerequisite to both membership and leadership positions in the Church.
During this time, as a result of this more conservative theology, some members of NAPC began leaving the church. Many of those who left had been long-time members and had made significant contributions toward construction of the new building. |
Click here to find out more about PC(USA) beliefs
Comparison of Basic Beliefs and Viewpoints of Three Presbyterian Denominations
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Temporary Rose Run meeting place (All Saints Episcopal Church - 2018-2019)
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Rose Run Presbyterian Church formed (Oct 2018)
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Temporary Rose Run meeting place (Temple Beth Shalom - 2018-2019)
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A New Beginning
Rose Run's inaugural Deacons & Elders (Jan 2019)
Ultimately, in November 2016, NAPC voted to leave the PC(USA) denomination and join the more conservative Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) denomination. The Presbytery formed an Administrative Commission (AC) to review NAPC’s request under the Policy for Gracious Separation and to determine whether reconciliation was possible. During the AC’s review, a group of former and current NAPC members expressed interest in retaining a PC(USA) congregation in New Albany and asked the Presbytery to review whether such a PC(USA) congregation was sustainable. Throughout 2017, the AC conducted listening sessions with individuals, families, and small groups from both the NAPC and the PC(USA) group.
By January 2018, the AC concluded that reconciliation with the NAPC was not possible, and that the group seeking to retain a PC(USA) congregation in New Albany was viable. The AC and the NAPC reached an agreement dismissing the NAPC to the EPC denomination and dividing certain assets and property. The agreement provided that NAPC would form a new corporation, and have the right to use the name “New Albany Presbyterian Church,” and to use the building for another year. The agreement provided that the group seeking to remain a PC(USA) denomination would have the permanent right to use the church building and retain some of the personal property in the building. The PC(USA) congregation met and decided on the new name: “Rose Run Presbyterian Church.”
The Presbytery of Scioto Valley approved the agreement and created Rose Run Presbyterian Church on September 28, 2018. During the transition, Rose Run worshipped at neighboring Temple Beth Shalom and All Saints Episcopal Church. Rose Run moved back into the church building in September 2019.
By January 2018, the AC concluded that reconciliation with the NAPC was not possible, and that the group seeking to retain a PC(USA) congregation in New Albany was viable. The AC and the NAPC reached an agreement dismissing the NAPC to the EPC denomination and dividing certain assets and property. The agreement provided that NAPC would form a new corporation, and have the right to use the name “New Albany Presbyterian Church,” and to use the building for another year. The agreement provided that the group seeking to remain a PC(USA) denomination would have the permanent right to use the church building and retain some of the personal property in the building. The PC(USA) congregation met and decided on the new name: “Rose Run Presbyterian Church.”
The Presbytery of Scioto Valley approved the agreement and created Rose Run Presbyterian Church on September 28, 2018. During the transition, Rose Run worshipped at neighboring Temple Beth Shalom and All Saints Episcopal Church. Rose Run moved back into the church building in September 2019.
Rose Run Opening Service (Sept 22, 2019)
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Rose Run Dedication Service and tree planting (Oct 6, 2019)
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Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Online church (April 2020)
In October 2019 Rose Run called Rev. Frank LeBlanc to serve as temporary pastor as we prepared to search for a long-term pastor. On March 15, 2020, worship in the building was cancelled with the first stay-at-home order issued by the State of Ohio.
Since March 2020, we have provided worship by live stream on our Facebook page, and in time on our YouTube channel. The live portions of the service are led by the Pastor Frank and a rotating liturgist. We prerecord instrumental and vocal music for the streamed service and create weekly photo collages of the creative ways our members and friends are spending their “stay-at-home” time. Our streamed service includes most of the familiar elements of a worship service.
New Christian education opportunities for children and adults that were in discussion before the pandemic began are now underway. We also began offering an online, after worship fellowship time to help our members stay connected.
We were not prepared for the demands of worshiping and connecting this way, but with the support of dedicated members and the Presbytery of Scioto Valley, we have risen to the occasion.
Since March 2020, we have provided worship by live stream on our Facebook page, and in time on our YouTube channel. The live portions of the service are led by the Pastor Frank and a rotating liturgist. We prerecord instrumental and vocal music for the streamed service and create weekly photo collages of the creative ways our members and friends are spending their “stay-at-home” time. Our streamed service includes most of the familiar elements of a worship service.
New Christian education opportunities for children and adults that were in discussion before the pandemic began are now underway. We also began offering an online, after worship fellowship time to help our members stay connected.
We were not prepared for the demands of worshiping and connecting this way, but with the support of dedicated members and the Presbytery of Scioto Valley, we have risen to the occasion.
As we continue to grow into God’s future, all are invited to worship, teach, and lead. |