The Ono United Methodist Church had its origin in two nineteenth century congregations that worshipped in the community of Ono (then known as Mt. Nebo). Dating from the early 1800’s, both groups first worshipped in the homes of prominent members. The Mt. Nebo Church, a small brick structure in the center of the village, was erected in 1850. “The Evangelical Association” and the “Church of the United Brethren in Christ” congregations, as well as other groups, worshipped in this building for many years. In 1870 the Evangelical association erected a church known as Salem Chapel, a two-story frame building, at the eastern end of the village. In 1915 the United Brethren in Christ congregation purchased property and erected a new church building at the western end of the village. The one-story frame structure was named Memorial Church. Both congregations were parts of “circuits” or “charges” for many years. This was an arrangement wherein several churches were served by a single pastor.
In 1946 the Evangelical church and the United Brethren in Christ denominations merged to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church. An attempt, in 1959, at merging the Salem and Memorial congregations to form the Ono Circuit, with Shirk’s Church as a second church, did not succeed. In l961 the Memorial Church became a separate charge with its own full-time minister. A parsonage was built next to the church in 1962 at a cost of $25,000. Two years later, under the pastorate of Rev. Jay Fulmer, who at that time was serving as pastor to both congregations, another attempt at merging the two churches was successful; and at a service of union on October 3, 1965, the two congregations became one. The new church was known as The Ono Evangelical United Brethren Church. In 1968 the Evangelical United Brethren denomination merged with The Methodist Church and the Ono church changed its name once more. It became the Ono United Methodist Church.
The newly merged congregation worshipped in the Memorial building (the Salem building was demolished in 1967) until 1971 when growth in membership and attendance brought about a need for more adequate facilities. Under the pastorate of Rev. A. Philip Strickler, ground was broken in 1969 and a building committee was appointed in 1970. In 1971 a new church building with a sanctuary, seven Christian education rooms, heating plant and lavatories was erected and dedicated on May 16th.
Because of continued growth in attendance and program activities as well as the rapidly deteriorating condition of the Memorial building, which was still being used for Sunday School rooms, the congregation decided to add an education wing. Eleven new classrooms, a church office and a library were included in this project. The Old Memorial building was razed as the new addition was completed. A service of dedication was held on September 23, 1984.
A fellowship hall on the second floor of the new education wing was completed in 1988. This facility included a kitchen and, with folding walls, provided five additional classrooms. In 1990-91 an elevator was installed, making all floors accessible to handicapped individuals. Although considerable expenses were incurred with all of these projects, the church was able to eliminate all indebtedness by the end of 1994.
Over the years, a number of individuals from the congregation have gone into full-time Christian service. Among these were the late Rev. A.B. Saylor, the late Rev. William Alspach, the late Rev. T. J. Barnhart from the former Salem congregation, and the late Rev. Edward Steiner of the former Memorial congregation. Retired after many years of full-time service are Rev. Eugene Wentling, Philadelphia School of the Bible; Frederick Kreiser, Continental Baptist Missions; and Rev. Russel Wentling, a pastor in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church. Others from the congregation now in full-time service include Patricia Horst, ordained as a deacon in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church; and Lawrence Richard, a licensed local pastor in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church.