Hanover Presbyterian Church
"Love Grows Here"

Hanover, in the late 1860's, was a thriving little village. There was a saw-mill, grist-mill, dry goods and grocery store. In the fall of 1867, the pastor of Second Presbyterian Church of Newark started bi-weekly services in Hanover. At a communion service in March of 1871, eleven people joined the church along with eight other members who joined in March of 1869. Worship was held in members homes until the use of the town hall was granted.
In November 1871, an organizational meeting was held. The vote was in the affirmative and $1,000 was pledged. Thirty-six people signed a covenant stating that they believed that God was blessing their decision.
January 14, 1872, the first communion of this new church was held in the town hall. At the April Presbytery meeting, Hanover Presbyterian Church was approved and taken under the care of the Zanesville Presbytery.

Some of the principles articulated by John Calvin remain at the core of Presbyterian beliefs. Among these are the sovereignty of God, the authority of the scripture, justification by grace through faith and the priesthood of all believers. What they mean is that God is the supreme authority throughout the universe. Our knowledge of God and God's purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ. Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God's generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments. It is everyone's job - ministers and lay people alike - to share this Good News with the whole world. That is also why the Presbyterian church is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy and laity, men and women alike.