Ridgewood United Methodist Church, Parma OH - Where Faith Grows

Meet Reverend Charles E. Tobias

Rev. Charles TobiasRev. Tobias, or Rev. Charlie as he prefers to be called, joined the Ridgewood Family from First United Methodist Church in Mansfield, Ohio. He is an Ordained Elder in the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was appointed the Ridgewood United Methodist Church as Senior Pastor in July, 2007.

Rev. Charlie met his wife, Diane, while attending Hiram College. They both graduated in 1979, and were married at the Hiram Christian Church that same summer. They subsequently moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Diane received her Master’s of Library Science degree from George Peabody College for Teachers of Vanderbilt University in 1980, and Charlie graduated from Vanderbilt Divinity School in 1982 with a Master’s of Divinity degree.

Diane is a professional librarian, and is the Children's Coordinator of the Mansfield Richland County Public Library. She has served on library staffs in Tuscarawas, Summit, and Richland counties. Rev. Charlie has been pastor of United Methodist churches in Belmont, Strasburg, Richfield (new church start), Canton, Canal Fulton, and Mansfield. They have two grown children, Sarah and Andrew and two cocker spaniels, John Wesley and Martin Luther.

Rev. Charlie is a gifted singer and a long-time member of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and he is a fan of various area college and professional sports teams.