History
1933
Humble Beginnings
We trace our roots to The Furnace Street Mission where newlyweds Carl and Agnes Burnham served before transforming a 20- x 50- foot storeroom into a church on Akron’s near west side.
1934 January
First Service
The first service at The Chapel at Five Points was held on Jan. 15, 1934. Carl’s father, B.A. Burnham, preached at the 10:30am service; Carl preached at 7:30pm that day. Between 40 and 50 people attended.
1936 – 1955
Brown & Vine
In 1936, the growing church began raising money to purchase a lot of their own at the corner of Brown and Vine. Once there, volunteers built the basement of the structure where the congregation met for years. By 1947 when the building was completed, The Chapel at Brown and Vine had 450 members.
1955 March
The Move to Fir Hill
When The Chapel outgrew its building at Brown and Vine, members voted to purchase a more centrally-located property nearby. The cornerstone was laid on Palm Sunday 1954. On March 27, 1955, 1,000 men, women and children walked from Brown and Vine to The Chapel’s new home on Fir Hill. They sang hymns all the way.
The 1960's
Growth & Transition
From the beginning, there was a spirit of unity and oneness. When Carl Burnham died unexpectedly in 1962 following heart surgery, the church officially called his son David Burnham as senior pastor. The congregation purchased a camp in Edinburg, OH in 1964, renaming it Camp Carl in Carl Burnham’s memory. By 1969, membership had grown to 3,200.
1971-1982
Pastor Dave Burnham
Dave and his wife, Sue, wrote neighborhood Bible study materials and trained members who hosted more than 100 Bible studies in their homes throughout the Akron area. Campus ministries at the University of Akron and Kent State, and popular Christmas and Easter concerts were added during these years.
1973–1982
The congregation numbered 5,000. A new Worship Center was dedicated in 1973 and the original sanctuary was renamed Memorial Chapel. The Chapel at Fir Hill became The Chapel in University Park.
In 1982, Dave left Akron to pastor a church in Florida. Following an extensive search, Knute Larson and his wife, Jeanine, came here in 1983
1983 – 2009
Pastor Knute Larson
Under Knute’s leadership, Adult Bible Fellowships, ABFs, grew and the church helped ‘sister’ churches get started in Marlboro, North Canton, Kent, Hudson, Tinkers Creek, Sandusky and Medina. Knute was a familiar face around town – recognized from his :60 and :30 second television messages about faith, active on local boards and proactively partnering with Pastor Ron Fowler and the Arlington Church of God as leaders in a racial reconciliation movement.
2003
One Church, Two Locations
With attendance hovering at around 8,000 and multiple services maxed out, ‘20/20: The Next Chapter’ was launched. In June of 2003, the Green Campus opened its doors and The Chapel officially became ‘One Church, Two Locations.
2006-2012
Pastor Paul Sartarelli
As Knute planned for retirement, a search began for the next senior pastor. Paul Sartarelli, who had planted the Riverwood Chapel in Kent, accepted the call. Paul came with his wife, Susie, in a unique transitional phase in 2006. Knute officially passed the baton to Paul in June 2009.
During Paul’s tenure, The Chapel hosted a conference to raise awareness of human trafficking, discipleship programs grew and The Chapel became one church in three locations by receiving Valleyview Chapel in Wadsworth as a third campus. In 2012, Paul announced that God was calling him away from The Chapel. The search for a new leader began.
2014 – 2021
Pastor Tim Armstrong
In 2014, Pastor Tim Armstrong and his wife, Michelle, came to The Chapel from Mansfield, where Tim had previously pastored at Crossroads Community Church. Though Tim resigned from The Chapel in 2021, we remain grateful for what the Lord accomplished during his time with us. The Saturate campaign established new campuses throughout northeast Ohio; global outreach initiatives made new disciples around the world; many kids experienced the personal nature of Jesus at Camp Carl; and thousands heard the truth of the Gospel. Despite our imperfect nature, the Lord is good.
Today
2021 and Beyond
Today, The Chapel is a network of seven vibrant campuses in diverse communities throughout Northeast Ohio. From Kenmore to Nordonia to Green and beyond, each campus reflects the unique heartbeat of its surrounding area, yet all are connected by a shared commitment to walk in the way of Jesus into the will of God. Tap below to see what steps our church is taking in the near future.
We are committed to seeing every person: believing in Jesus, belonging to family, becoming a disciple, building his kingdom
Wadsworth Campus
Sunday services: 9:00am & 10:40am
Building hours: 9am-3pm Mon.-Thurs.
Address: 1391 State Rd Wadsworth, OH 44281
Phone: 330.315.5421
Email: wadsworth@thechapel.life
