Rev. Joseph Mercer Avann
Rev. Joseph Mercer Avann, pastor of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, was born at Teuterden, in the beautiful County of Kent, England. He was second in a family of eight children, and when 8 years old came with his parents to America, where the family settled in Breckville, near Cleveland, Ohio. The mother's maiden name was Mercer. On the father's side he is a descendant of the French Huguenots, who in the 17th century fled from the persecution of the home country and sought refuge in England. His early training and home life were eminently religious. Family worship was a part of the everyday routine, and although the church was three miles distant the family were never absent. Indeed, some of the members have no recollection of every missing a Sunday. Such training, supplementing inherited proclivities, could not but bear fruit in a strong sense of the supremacy of the claims of man's mission, in a courage that recognized no obstacles, and in singleness of aim. Four of the children who lived to maturity worked their way through college, without a dollar of help and never spending a dime that was not earned.
After finishing his course at Berea College, Mr. Avann entered the Boston Theological School, and was the first man from Ohio to attend a Methodist school of theology. The era in the history of the Methodist Church, when a college education and theological training were considered non-essential, had closed and Mr. Avann is thus classed with the new generation of Methodist preachers. He was chosen president of his class, whose large membership came from many States, and he graduated with his degree in theology in 1877. Joining the New England Conference, his first charge was North Brookfield, Massachusetts, followed successively by appointments in Southbridge, Massachusetts, and Waltham, in the same State. He was next transferred to St. Paul's Church, Manchester, the largest church of any denomination in New Hampshire. Under Mr. Avann's ministration the growth was phenomenal and he remained here, as in all previous charges, three years, then the full time limit. During his pastorate at St. Paul's delegation from the First Methodist Episcopal Church, Findlay, Ohio, came to hear him, and by unanimous request of the quarterly conference Mr. Avann was transferred to Ohio and became pastor of First Church, Findlay, in April, 1889. Numerically and financially, this church soon became the strongest in the Central Ohio Conference, and the same success followed his appointment to the First Methodist Church, Van Wert, Ohio. Three years later, much against his wishes, he was made presiding elder of the Delaware district and the following year saw him transferred to the Toledo district. His six years' administration here resulted in an extraordinary development of Methodism. More than 20 churches were built, including all the best in the district: St. Paul's, St. John's, St. James', Asbury, Clark Street, Central Avenue in Toledo, also Bowling Green, Oak Harbor, Weston and Elmore. Not alone were churches organized and houses of worship built, but the salaries of the ministers in the district were increased over 25 per cent, and the missionary offerings were increased 55 per cent.
After serving his full term as presiding elder, Mr. Avann was appointed to the William Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Delaware, Ohio, where a successful year preceded his coming to Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, Lima.
This is the largest Protestant church in the city and Mr. Avann is now serving his third year as its incumbent. Many improvements both in the church and parsonage attest to his wise and efficient management.
Trinity was never more united and prosperous than at present. The congregations are large and the church is one of the strongest forces in the religious activities of the city.