UPPER SANDUSKY, Ohio — After 176 years, ownership of a historic property in Upper Sandusky is being returned to the Wyandotte Nation.
In 1816, John Stewart, the first recorded United Methodist missionary, came to current day Upper Sandusky, Ohio to minister to the Wyandotte Tribe.
After three years, the church established a school for Wyandotte children, and then established a mission church in 1824, one year after Stewart's death.
But 19 years later in 1843, the U.S. government forced the Wyandotte people to leave the area and move west of the Mississippi river.
"As they turned and walked away, there were tears in their eyes, but also there were tears in the eyes of the settlers and their friends who were remaining behind," said Betsy Bowen, co-chair of the John Stewart Records and History Committee
But before they left, the Wyandotte people deeded out their mission property and another two acres to the United Methodist Church.
Since then, members of the church have tended the grounds, repaired the church building and continued to teach the history of the Wyandotte people.
And now, on Saturday September 21, the United Methodist Church will invite 90 members of the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma back to Ohio and formally return ownership of the mission property.
"This little property where we're standing was never owned by the government. It went right from Wyandotte ownership to to Methodist ownership. And now we have the opportunity as part of restorative justice to return their meeting house, which is sacred ground," said Bowen.
The property will continue to be managed by the members of the John Stewart United Methodist Church.
"And it does reflect the ongoing work in creating goodwill among all people, that of course is the very nature of the church," said John Stewart United Methodist Church pastor Johnny Phillips.
Saturday's event begins at 1:30 p.m. at the John Stewart United Methodist Church and then will move down to the mission location where the deed of the mission property will be officially handed over to the Wyandotte Nation.