Beloved Disciple Parish marks 100 years of faith and fellowship
By Allison Mosier10/14/2025
The joy was palpable on October 5, 2025, as parishioners, clergy and friends of Beloved Disciple Parish in Grove City gathered to celebrate a century of faith. The 100th anniversary was not just a milestone but a moving reflection of the parish’s enduring spirit, woven together by generations who have prayed, served and grown in community.
In the weeks leading up to the celebration, volunteers and parishioners poured their hearts into transforming the church into a living museum of faith. Stations were placed throughout the building, showcasing photographs, memorabilia and milestones from the parish’s 100-year history. Tables lined the aisles with historical church pieces, each one sparking memories of weddings, baptisms, confirmations and countless moments of grace that shaped the community through the decades.
Deacon Owen Wagner along with the parish staff were the driving forces behind the event, coordinating every detail with care. Their dedication, along with that of the parish’s many volunteers, ensured the day reflected both reverence and joy. “It truly took a village,” one parishioner shared, “and seeing everyone come together for this celebration reminds us what it means to be church.”
Bishop Lawrence Persico presided over the anniversary Mass, offering a deeply moving homily that called those gathered to gratitude and renewed faith. He reflected on the significance of the moment, not merely as a commemoration of years gone by, but as a celebration of what God continues to do through the people of Beloved Disciple.
“This anniversary reminds us of all those who have gone before us to build up this community of faith,” Bishop Persico said. “As you reflect upon your life in relationship to the church, no doubt countless memories flood your thoughts and hearts. For as meaningful as this sacred space is, when we recall the events that have taken place in our lives, we are more likely to remember the people, those through whom we’ve encountered the Risen Lord in the breaking of the bread.”
He reminded the congregation that faith, like the mustard seed from the day’s Gospel, must be nurtured through humility, gratitude and service. “Faith is a gift freely given by God,” he said. “When it takes root, it transforms ordinary acts of kindness into powerful expressions of God’s justice, compassion and peace.”
Following Mass, the celebration continued in the parish hall, where laughter and conversation filled the tent. A buffet dinner was served, and tables were lined with homemade cookies baked by parish volunteers. A photo booth captured smiling faces, while longtime friends reminisced about decades of parish life, from the building of the first church to the countless faith-filled moments that have made Beloved Disciple a cornerstone of the Grove City community.
The 100th anniversary celebration was more than a look back; it was a testament to a living faith still thriving today. Rooted in the Eucharist and strengthened by service, the parish community left the day renewed, reminded of God’s enduring presence in their midst and hopeful for the next hundred years to come.
View photos here.
-