In 1909 the first schoolhouse was moved to the present church site.  Alex Stutzman donated the land needed for the church. On July 30, 1912, it was decided to build a new building 34' x 50' and 14' high, with anterooms built on the south side of the building.  Between July and November of 1912, the new building was completed and was dedicated on November 17, 1912.  The buggy sheds were removed in 1925.  In 1948, an addition was built to the south with balcony and inside toilets.  In 1964, a kitchen was built in the basement.  Groundbreaking for a fellowship hall and Sunday School rooms took place on July 6, 1969, and was dedicated on July 12, 1970.

Phase II of the building project was to remodel the sanctuary and basement.  Re-dedication of the Sanctuary was held on November 26, 1972.  In 1986, groundbreaking took place for a new addition and access for handicapped.  This included ramps, new restrooms, office space, nursery, large foyer with two entrances and an enlarged kitchen.  This was dedicated on May 31, 1987.  Bob Stutzman was the contractor and builder for all of the building projects 1969-1987. Members donated help and contributed money.

In the period 1909 to 1990, thirteen ministers served the Aurora Congregation: Eli Stoltzfus 1909-1942, Alex Stutzman 1910-1942, Dan Raber 1911-1939, A.W. Hershberger 1912-1922, Mart Miller 1923-1926, Earl Miller 1931, Herb Troyer 1929-1942, Elmer Stoltzfus 1940-1970, Eugene Yoder 1940-1978, David Miller 1959-1976, Fred Erb 1977, Lawrence Brunk 1978-1987, Robert Troyer 1988.1990.  Eli Stoltzfus was bishop from 1916 to 1942 and Elmer Stoltzfus was bishop from 1942-1970.

Some important events in this period were Women's sewing, 1909-1990; Sunday School Library in 1933; First Summer Bible School - 1938;  Burton Congregation Gladstone Mission, and McElrath Mission were started; Plainview became Aurora Mennonite; Pipe organ installed in 1976; Boat Family, Ty and Hoa 1978; and the great positive period of Larlham VS and the church with a Larlham VS reunion on April 22-23, 1978.  The highest membership was about 190 in 1940, when the Burton folks and the I-W boys attended.  The present membership is 103.

In the period 1920-1940, eleven young men and one young women from the Aurora Congregation were ordained to serve in other churches or as missionaries.  A Jubilee Homecoming was celebrated in 1955 with more than 300 people attending.  Some members of the original families who settled in Aurora are living today. (1990) They are Elmer Stoltzfus, Gladys Stoltzfus Hostetler, Elen Stutzman Miller, Naomi Oesch Helmuth, Elma Hersberger, Chester Miller and Forrest Yoder.

Since 1973, the church has a Constitution that describes membership and outlines church government.  A recent development is a Church Board, Discernment Committee and Administrative Elder.  A half-time youth minister has been appointed.  The church emphasizes nurture and evangelism.  Our goal is to make more and better disciples.

-- Vernon and Margaret Miller, March 1990.

Aurora Mennonite Church History - Update (1990-1995)

Marlin and Cherie Birkey and family arrived on August 22, 1990.  Marlin was installed as Pastor on October 14, 1990, and ordained on August 30, 1992.  On November 18, 1990, the church celebrated it's 85th birthday or anniversary.  On September 1993, two services were started on Sunday morning; one traditional and the other contemporary.  The church has purchased 2.9 additional acres of land from the Mestor Property.  Tim Shafer became our second youth or associate pastor in 1995,  Our LIFE program (Living In Faithful Evangelism) has developed Cell groups.  A pre-school program for four year olds has been started at the close of 1995.  We are pleased that someone had a vision and we have handicapped facilities available at our church.
 

UPDATE-1995-2002

On Sunday, September 21, 1997, after four years, the Congregation went back to one morning service.  This was just prior to Marlin Birkey's six month sabbatical.  Lawrence Brunk served the church again as interim pastor, January 4, 1998 to June 28, 1998.  On February 14, 1999, Marlin Birkey announced his resignation and moved with his family to Ashton Mennonite Church in Sarasota, Florida.  AMC was without a pastor for most of July 1999 to June 2002.  Bob Stutzman, Board Chairperson, Mike Staples and Jim Nussbaum, Elders, provided leadership in this period.  Glenn Steiner served as interim from February 6, 2000 to August 2001.  He and Arneda went from AMC to Bahia Vista Mennonite Church also in Sarasota, Florida.  

At least fifteen attempts were made to resolve the music preference in worship conflict.  The two service attempt (four years) was the longest.  Home Meetings, Responses, Concerns and Suggestions, and Town Hall meetings with Norm Shawchuck, August to December 1999 were the most costly.  In January, 2000, Music Committee leadership in worship was replaced by a Christian Rock performing group: KNOW PEACE.  Significant results of our Vision decision of 1999 were reported to the Congregation on July 29, 2001.  "Our youth and young adults unprecedented involvement in church life over the past nearly two years.  They have been energized by our obvious concern for them in this decision.  They have responded by working at not just their own interests but have embraced many of the things near and dear to all of us.  And these have been reflected by the following:

a.     Most obvious is worship and energy put into it and the commitment that they have taken so seriously.

b.     Sunday school (a real concern primarily of the more traditional segment): young adults are teaching all of the children classes.

c.      AOL beyond Glenn's leadership has been shared and or assisted by youth beyond any older input

d.     The face lift of the fellowship haul had a high participation by youth/young adults

e.      Weekly prayer time has had consistent young adult participation even leading pre-prayer song leading to assist in drawing nearer to God.

f.        The Nursery has been solely worked at by youth to include completely cleaning every item in it and arranging for good consistent monitoring.

g.     Auction:  Headed up set up, play time (all day for kids) etc.

h.      Vacation Bible school.  Unprecedented help (teachers, coordination, etc.)

(from 2001 Annual Report)

In January, 2000, Elmer S. Yoder was hired to write an AMC CEntennial History (1905-2005).  A sixteen member History Book Committee was formed.  The first draft of the book is nearly completed in 2002.  Christian Education conducted the first successful one-day VBS on the Noah's Ark story.  In 2001, Mission Auction continues to be a very positive project.  A Pastor Search Committee chaired by Bob Stutzman, had been working hard regularly and faithfully for many months.  On Sunday February 3, 2002, Jess and Naomi Engle along with Anna, 12, Grace, 10, Marie, 8, candidated at AMC, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  On Sunday, February 10, the Congregation voted to affirm Jess, full-time and Naomi, half-time;  68 members, 26 non-members, total of 94 unanimous affirmations.  Our invitation was accepted that Sunday.  Sunday, June 30, 2002, Jess and Naomi Engle and family began work at AMC.  This now adds severn more ministers to the list of 13 who served 1909-1990 for a total of 20 pastors, 1909-2002, at AMC.
Building and grounds have had some significant changes.  Interior re-decoration, paved parking lot, air conditioning and a new pavilion are among some of the improvements.

AMC History update, October 2002, Vernon D. and Margaret Miller