Good Samaritan Reformed Church*Brief History
“Good Sam” as we have become known was founded in February of 1968 conducting services and Sunday School at the Stygler Road Middle School on Stygler Road. Eleven plus acres, on the west side of Gahanna, having been purchased by the Reformed Church in America would be the future site of the “Good Sam” campus. The original “Barn“, on the church property, was destroyed by fire in 1971. In 1975 a new “People Barn” is designed to be built entirely by Good Sam members and friends. Christmas Eve, 1976, the first worship service is held in the “Barn“. Winter, 1978, due to the Natural Gas shortage, “Good Sam“moves to the to the “Barn“. 1979, an addition is added to the “Barn“and the Church Offices move to the “Barn“. 1981, The “Mini-Barn” is added to the campus.
April 29, 1984; Ground breaking ceremony for the new Worship Facility.
September 8, 1985 Worship services moved to the new Worship Facility.
October 23, 1985 the Reverend Norman Vincent Peale dedicates the new Worship Facility.
Since it’s inception the “Barn“, and eventually, the “Good Sam Campus“
have served as a Sanctuary and a gathering place for many Community groups and functions.
The Vision of Good Sam is:
“To be a blessing to the Community”
To that end we strive to maintain a warm, positive, and friendly spirit that provides a supportive environment in which to experience the love of Christ in our lives and to express that love to a lost and broken world so loved by God.
We are a member congregation of the (RCA), the “oldest Protestant denomination in North America with a continuing ministry presence since 1628.”
We encourage you to visit the RCA Web Site; Reformed Church in America
*Reference: “GO AND DO LIKEWISE” A history of Good Samaritan Church’s first 25 years.
Written and compiled by David l. O’Dell