(From the 1938 Centennial Souvenir Book of First Church)
Nov. 4, 1883, a dozen men gathered for the purpose of organizing a congregation in the community southeast of New Knoxville. The Rev. Jos. L. Schatz preached on 2 Peter 1:19, and presided over the meeting while Elder H. Fledderjohann of the New Knoxville congregation acted as secretary pro tem. The German Reformed Friedens-Gemeinde of Van Buren twp., Shelby co., Ohio was organized. H. Niemeier and W. Stolte were elected elders.
A church and church property formerly used by a Methodist group were available. The New Knoxville congregation bought this property for the Friedens-Gemeinde Nov. 10, 1883, for the sum of $300.00. With the assistance and advice of the Rev. F. H. W. Kuckhermann, the congregation appealed to the Board of Home Missions for support.
The first mission festival was held Sunday, Sept. 14, 1884, with the Rev. A. J. Accola and the Rev. Peter Greding preaching. In 1885 the Rev. H. J. Ruetenick, D. D. was the festival preacher. During its brief history the Friedens-Gemeinde had as elders: H. Niemeier, W. Stolte, Gustav Kuck, E. Vohs, W. Howe, Wilhelm Koetterheinrich, Ernst Huelsmeyer, and Wilhelm Holtkamp.
The ministers who served were: The Rev. L. Schatz, 1883-85; the Rev. Christian Badertscher, 1886-95; the Rev. W. Shale, 1896-98; the Rev. Peter Greding, 1899-1909; the Rev. Peter S. Kohler, 1910; the Rev. C. Hoffmann, 1911-12.
The Friedens-Gemeinde church building no longer exists, but the church cemetery, located across the road from 9477 Botkins Road, Botkins, Ohio, is still owned and mowed by the congregation of First Church of New Knoxville.