Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 51

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1086

USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th > Part 51

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

About this time a portion of the old church colonized and formed the High Street M. E. Church, the two bodies being served by Revs. Charles Elliott and Solomon Howard. In 1849 and 1850, the parent organization was supplied by Rev. Maxwell P. Gaddis, when there was a membership of 446. Then came Rev. Granville Moody, in 1853 and 1854; Rev. James F. Chalfant, 1855; Joseph Newson, 1856; W. T. Ellsworth, 1857 and 1858; M. Dustin, 1859; Charles Ferguson, 1860 and 1861.

In 1862, the church having sold its old property on Columbia Street, purchased a lot and commenced building on the

northwest corner of Center and High Streets, and took the name of the Central M. E. Church of Springfield. The line of pastors then continued as follows: Rev. S. L. Yourtee, 1863 to 1865; J. W. Cassett, 1866 and 1867; Asbury Lowrey, 1868; S. A. Brewster, 1869, 1870 and 1871; C. W. Ketchum, 1872, 1873 and 1874; E. T. Wells, 1875, 1876 and 1877; W. A. Robin- son, 1878, 1879 and 1880; A. B. Leonard, 1883 to 1886; William Runyan, 1886 to 1887; John Pearson, September 1, 1887 to 1888; Thomas N. Pearne, from Septem- ber 1, 1888 to 1890; C. W. Barnes, 1890 to 1894; C. W. Rishell, 1894 to 1895; V. F. Brown, 1895 to 1899. C. M. Van Pelt, 1899 to 1901; C. L. Conger, 1902 to 1904; A. W. Leonard, 1905 to the present. Present membership 1,000. The church has decided to build on the present site a new house of worship at a cost of $40,- 000. Nearly one-half the amount has been pledged. The church is free from debt.

The present building, erected in 1862, at a cost of $22,000, added materially to the architectural beauty of the city, and constitutes a busy headquarters of Chris- tian activity. This venerable H. E. Church has had seventy-one pastors since its existence of ninety-five years, which, perhaps, with the exception of one or two other churches, is the greatest number of pastors which has ever served any other church in the State of Ohio during the century just past. Springfield should thank God for the high privilege of hav- ing had such a religious organization, all these years, in its midst.

HIGH STREET M. E. CHURCH.

The High Street Methodist Episcopal Church of Springfield, organized in April,

478

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

1849, with about 80 members, and has since become quite an efficient factor in the Christian cause here in this city. Levi Reinhart, Edmund Ogden, Christopher Thompson, L. N. Olds, John M. Young and S. S. Moler constituted the Board of Trustees. Their first church building was dedicated July 27, 1851, Rev. John Dillon, afterward professor in Drew Theological Seminary, preaching the sermon on the occasion. The pastors of this charge suc- cessively were as follows: Revs. Isaac Dillon, in 1849; John S. Inskip, 1850; John W. Weakley, 1851; William H. Southerland, 1852-53; M. Dustin, 1854-55; John F. Marley, 1855-56; W. I. Fee, 1857- 58; Allen Trimble Thompson, 1860; George C. Crum, 1861-62; A. B. Wam- baugh, 1864; G. H. Dart, 1865-66-67; Thomas Collett, 1868-69-70. During this last-named pastorate the church edifice was remodeled at a cost of $18,000. Thence onward the pastors were: Rev. Lucien Clark, from 1871 to 1874; William L. Hypes, 1874; S. B. Smith, 1875; F. G. Mitchell, 1876-77-78; Thomas J. Harris, 1879, during whose pastorate the member- ship was about 350. Next in the pastor- ates were: John F. Marlay, 1882-85; R. H. Rust, 1885-90; John R. Shannon, 1890- 91; A. H. Lucas, 1891-95; John A. Story, 1895-1905. The present pastorate of Eugene P. Edmonds began October, 1905. Number of church membership, 600 and of Sunday school, 300.

ST. PAUL'S M. E CHURCH.

The second colony from the First, or Central Methodist Episcopal Church, was organized into a church under the most favorable auspices, and took the name of the St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal

Church of Springfield. This plan was ef- fected on the 10th day of February, 1880, and involved the hearty and enthusiastic co-operation of 150 persons, many of whom were veteran Christian workers. They purchased a very fine, elevated lot, situated on the west side of Yellow Springs Street, and erected upon it one of the most beautiful brick church edifices in the city, nearly one-third of which was contributed by Mr. P. P. Mast, one of Springfield's most liberal and philan- thropic citizens, and who was a faithful member of the church thus benefited.

The organization of this church was formed in February, 1880, with 166 char- ter members. including the following prominent persons: Mr. and Mrs. P. P. Mast, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Deardorf, Mr. and Mrs. John Leuty, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. Houck, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Stafford, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Parsons, Mrs. E. S. Vale, and Mrs. M. E. Kinney. The church building was commenced in the spring of 1880, was finished in September, 1881, and dedicated by Bishop J. W. Wiley May 7, 1882; Rev. S. A. Brewster and Rev. W. N. Brodbeck, pastor, participated in the ex- ercises. The estimated cost of the build- ing was $45,000. The following is the list of pastors: Rev. W. N. Brodbeck, from September, 1880, to September, 1883; J. . W. Bushong, 1883-84; Henry Tuckley, 1884-87; Thomas E. Collett, 1887-88; J. R. Shannon, 1888-89; G. W. Gullette, 1890- 90; G. W. Dubois, 1890-92; Paul C. Cur- nick, 1892-97; J. W. McGruder, 1897-99, and J. W. Peters, 1899-1905; John F. Chenoweth, 1905-1907 ; U. L. Ulter, 1907- The present membership of the church is 480, and number of officers, teachers and scholars of the Sunday-school is 215.

479

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

CLIFTON AVENUE M. E. CHURCH.

The organization of the Clifton Avenue M. E. Church followed the organization of the Sabbath school and prayer meeting. The idea of the organization originated in the Central M. E. Church of this city. The first session of the Sabbath school was held Sabbath afternoon, March 11, 1894; the first prayer meeting was held March 16, 1894. The first revival services were conducted by Rev. C. W. Barnes, the pastor of Central M. E. Church, during the week preceding Easter, in 1894. So encouraging was the great interest taken in the devotional meetings and Sabbath school, that it was determined to enter upon a church organization. The first step in this direction was a meeting called for consultation with the Presiding Elder, J. F. Marlay, D. D., by the pastor, C. W. Barnes, at the parsonage, June 19, 1894. There were present at the parsonage Rev. Dr. J. F. Marlay, Rev. C. W. Barnes, J. Griffith, J. S. Comer, J. B. Perrin, B. F. Kiplinger, and J. N. Wommer.

These five laymen were appointed to secure financial pledges for the coming year, and the pastor was instructed to secure a list of persons who would enter the new church. The number secured was about one hundred, and the formal organ- ization of the church was accomplished August 13, 1894. The first Trustees were J. N. Wommer, J. Griffith, B. B. Littleton, W. S. Richardson and J. S. Comer. The first official board meeting of the new church was held August 21, 1894. The ladies organized an Aid Society August 26, 1894; the young ladies made a similar organization August 21, 1894.

In November, 1899, the Springfield

Methodist Union appointed Robert John- son and Jeremiah Griffith. a committee to purchase the church building from the Free-Will Baptist Society. This the com- mittee did, and a united effort on the part of the church members and friends in the city enabled them to place the property in the church's name as the home for the future. On Easter Sunday, March 31, 1907, the mortgage was burned leaving the property free from debt.

At the conference session held in Wil- mington, September, 1894, Bishop Good- sell appointed Rev. A. L. Brokaw the first pastor of the new church. The follow- ing pastors have served the church: Rev. A. L. Brokaw, 1894-1895; Rev. J. P. Shultz, 1895-1897; Rev. C. D. Munsey, 1897-1900; Rev. S. W. Campbell, 1900- 1903; Rev. Homer G. Curless, 1903 -.

The membership numbers about 350. The Sunday-school enrollment is 300 with an average attendance of over 200. The Superintendent is F. R. Henderson. As- sistants, Fred Maurer, and J. B. Perrin.

GRACE M. E. CHURCH.

The third off-shoot from the Central M. E. Church was the Grace M. E. Church, situated on West Main Street, near the Pennsylvania House. This enterprise also was most liberally advanced and sup- ported from first to last by the personal labors and generous pecuniary aid of Mr. P. P. Mast, who became most thoroughly identified with its religious work. A neat, but sufficiently commodious frame house, was built in 1872, at a cost of $1,800, which was dedicated on Sunday, August 12, 1873, the sermon on the occasion being preached by Rev. Charles Ferguson. Al-

480

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

bert Allen. Stanley De Long, and seventy- two others were charter members. The pastors were as follows, each term begin- ning in September: Revs. B. F. Jackson, 1887; G. L. Tuft, 1887-88; W. I. Fee, 1890- 91; A. C. Turrell, 1892-93; W. G. Warner, 1893-94; David Herr, 1895-96; E. M. Ells- worth, 1897-98-99; J. L. Duckwall, from September, 1900, to 1906, when Alfred White became the pastor.

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.

What is now known as the North Street African Methodist Episcopal Church was, according to the most reliable tradition, organized about the year 1824. Even be- fore that time a few Christian colored people, most of whom had once been slaves, were in the habit of gathering in their humble cabins, or barns, and holding religious services. Their first church building, one at first used as a school- house, stood on the site of what was later known as the Bacon property, on East Main Street. Then they purchased a little stone church, on Limestone Street, near the creek. As the society continued to grow in numbers and means, it bought a small brick edifice formerly belonging to the St. John Lutheran folks, located on East North Street, where their present church now stands, for the sum of $800. On September 28, 1874, the body was legal- ly incorporated, and preparations were commenced for building their present large brick edifice, which was completed during the year 1876, at a cost of about $12,000. Among the earliest preachers were the Revs. Thomas Lawrence, Fayette Davis, and Mr. Kingman. We have se- cured the following list of pastors besides

the ones already mentioned, so far as pos- sible, from the most accessible records, since 1879, their terms of service com- mencing and ending in October of the respective years: Rev. J. W. Gazaway was pastor from 1880 to 1882; Rev. J. H. Jackson, from 1882 to 1884; O. P. Ross, from 1883 to 1884; W. T. Maxwell, from 1887 to 1889; Robert Johnson, from 1889 to 1890; R. C. Ransom, from 1890 to 1893; G. A. Collins, from 1893 to 1896; W. H. Coston, from 1896 to 1897; William J. Johnson, from 1897 to 1899, and from October, 1899, to this time, Rev. J. S. Ferguson. The present membership of this church is 400, and the number of Sun- day-school pupils is 125; teachers, 11, and officers, 10.

Pastors: From 1899 to 1901, Rev. J. S. Ferguson; from 1901 to 1902, Rev. B. W. Arnett, Jr .; from 1902 to 1904, Rev. John Dickerson; from 1904 to 1905, Rev. T. W. Woodson ; from 1905 to the present, Rev. Geo. W. Maxwell.

WILEY AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH-CENTER STREET.

This church was organized May 5, 1867, by nine persons coming from the old North Street A. M. E. Church, but under the auspices of the Cincinnati, or White, conference.

June 1st, 1867, Wm. Chinn, J. J. Whet- sell, and Samuel Dudley were constituted a committee to "look for a lot and re- port at the next meeting" and in a week after, this committee reported that a lot could be had on South Center Street for $300, $50 cash and the rest in payments. The report was favorably received and the lot was purchased. The sisters furnished

481

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

the first money raised for that purpose, which was $46.80. The present site was the lot secured.

The Presiding Elders who served dur- ing these years were : Rev. Wm. C. Echols, Rev. W. L. Muir, one and a half years. Rev. Marshall W. Taylor, D. D., four and a half years and elected editor of South- western Christian Advocate. Rev. Joseph Courtney, four years. Rev. E. W. S. Hammond, elected editor of Southwestern Christian Advocate. Rev. M. S. Johnson, five years. Rev. T. L. Ferguson, six years. Rev. H. W. Simmons, two years. Rev. Elam A. White, our present Presid- ing Elder.

Since the organization of the church the following pastors have served this charge: 1st, Rev. P. Fullman, five months. Rev. Scott Ward, five months and church built. Rev. Samuel Davage, three years; membership increased to seventy full members and twelve probationers, and sixty in the Sunday-school. Rev. H. Butler, six months. Rev. John Downs and Rev. Austin, fourteen months. Rev. W. C. Echols, three months. Rev. H. W. Wiley M. E. Church has a hopeful future and under the present officers hope to make these years following some of the most successful in the history of the church. Johnson, six months. Rev. A. Price, six months. Rev. A. W. Hargrave, one year. Rev. Scott Ward one year. Rev. Arthur Johnson, one year; membership increased to 100 full members and ten probationers. Rev. M. McCoomer, one year ; membership ALLEN CHAPEL A. M. E. CHURCH. increased to 180 full members and eight- een probationers. The Sunday-school This church, located on the corner of Boler and Clifton Streets, was organized in May, 1881. The opening sermon was preached by Rev. B. F. Lee, then Presi- dent of Wilberforce College, now Bishop. numbered eighty. Rev. T. M. Thompkins, one year. Rev. Chas. Jones, one year. Rev. J. W. Moreland, one year. Church remodeled and reopened and name changed from Asbury to Wiley M. E. There were seven charter members, and Church. Rev. Henry Cardozo, six months. the following is a list of pastors since the organization: Revs. C. W. Crosby, Alex. Smith and R. G. Blunt, 1882; O. P. Ross, 1883; Jesse Henderson, 1884-85; D. Dor- sey, 1886, Rev. Joseph Artope filling out his year; Rev. W. N. Tate, 1888; Rev. C. Phelps, 1889; Rev. M. E. Davis, 1890-91- 92-93; Rev. G. W. Jackson, 1894; Rev. Jesse Smith, 1895; George Bundy, 1896; M. Mason, 1897; J. Maxwell, 1898; D. D. Lewis, 1899. Rev. Dr. A. H. Hill is the present pastor. No other statistics have been furnished the writer. Rev. W. S. Lankford, six months; par- sonage built. Rev. Henry W. Tate, three years ; enrolled at beginning of term, 121, enlarged to 178. Rev. G. W. Ziegler, two years ; church debt cancelled. Rev. G. A. Sissle, one year. Rev. W. A. White, two years. Rev. Joseph Courtney, one year. Rev. W. B. Harris, two years. Rev. N. H. Tolbert, five years. Rev. W. M. Lang- ford, two years ; foundation laid for a new church. Rev. T. L. Ferguson, four and one-half years; membership increased to 400 and the present edifice erected. In all twenty-seven pastors.

Rev. G. F. David, 1900-01; Rev. W. E. Spellman, 1902; Rev. Randall, 1903; Rev.

482

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

J. A. Bynoe, 1904; Rev. L. V. Jones, 1905; Rev. J. T. Jordan, 1906-07.

This church is located in one of the popular sections of the city, and has a great future. The present pastor is try- ing hard to relieve it from all of its em- barrassments and hopes in a few days to pay off its entire indebtedness.

METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.

The Methodist Protestant Church, lo- cated at first on North Street, afterward on Washington Street, and finally on Pleasant Street, was organized in Jan- uary, 1829, with twenty members, Revs. L. and M. Henkel taking an active part. There were then but three other churches in Springfield, namely, the Methodist Episcopal, the Presbyterian, and the Seceder, now United Presbyterian. The first pastor was Rev. A. McGuire, with Rev. Jonathan Floyd as colleague. In 1837 Rev. A. H. Bassett was pastor and also editor of the Methodist Recorder, the church paper. Rev. A. C. Barnes became pastor in 1838-39; David Croll, in 1840; O. P. Stephens, in 1843; James Pelan, in 1844; Reuben Rose, 1848-49; W. G. Fowler, 1849; Reuben Dalby, 1850; Charles H. Williams, 1851-52; N. S. Smith, 1853, at which time the membership was about one hundred. The succession was continued in the following order, but the . dates of their services have not been ac- cessible to the narrator: T. B. Graham, T. Heard, S. S. Bartlett, J. E. Snowden, J. B. Walker, J. W. McFarland, J. W. Ellis, J. W. Spring, W. E. Marsh, J. M. Flood, W. R. Parsons and others. This church having become weakened by deaths, removals and lack of sufficient financial

support, and other causes, finally disband- ed their organization, sold their property, a good, substantial brick edifice on West Pleasant Street, and the surviving mem- bership became merged into the churches of other denominations. This organiza- tion, largely made up of earnest, indus- trious, godly men and women, existed in our midst for about sixty-five years, faith- fully battling for Truth and Righteous- ness. Their existence had greatly blessed this community and the world.

This church was sold in 1903 to St. John's Baptist Church (colored), the Rev. Bolling R. Reed being the pastor.

THE CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION.

In trying to observe as nearly as pos- sible a chronological order in regard to the origin of our local denominations, we will now go back as far as the years 1810- 11. Four years after the orignal organ- ization of the Methodist Church, but three years before the latter had erected their house of worship, the "Christians," then sometimes called "New Lights," put up the first house of worship ever built in Springfield. This was accomplished large- ly under the patronage of Mr. Griffith Foos and a few others, from Kentucky, who seem at one time to have been mem- bers of that denomination, in their former home. This house was 20x30 feet, was built of logs and situated on the west side of Mill Run a few rods west of where the Zimmerman Fountain now stands on Cen- ter Street. The subscriptions for this pioneer church edifice in Springfield con- sisted in part of money, but mostly of dry goods, groceries, live stock, lumber and labor, on the part of those aiding in

483

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

the work. Although the building was put up under the auspices of the people be- longing to the Christian denomination, as we learn, it was the understanding at the time that it was to be free for the use of all denominations. The organization, or whatever there was of it, lasted but fifteen years, and in 1825 the house was entirely abandoned for church purposes.

We do not see or hear anything more of this denomination in Springfield, until in the spring of 1881, when Elder C. J. Jones, an evangelist from Philadelphia, by way of renewing, or, rather, commenc- ing their denominational work in Spring- field, came here, and with the assistance of Rev. A. W. Coan, editor of "The Herald of Gospel Liberty," at Dayton, Ohio, began a series of meetings in Black's Opera House, which in a few. months eventuated in a church organiza- tion. As a result, these Christian people, within four months, purchased a valuable lot on West High Street, between Me- chanic and Plum Streets, and built a neat, commodious chapel, capable of seating 600 persons. In this they were assisted by the liberal subscriptions of quite a number of large-hearted manufacturers and other business men. Many persons outside of the organization gave from $50 to $100 each. This new church building was dedicated to the worship of God in Decem- ber, 1882, with a membership of nearly one hundred persons.

Rev. Mr. Jones remained as pastor of this church for two years and was fol- lowed by Rev. J. M. McWhinney, for four months; Nicholas Summerbell, for eighteen months; Byron Long, for ten months ; J. F. Strait, for two years ; C. W. Choat, for nine months ; E. D. Hammond,

for three years; and Rev. Benjamin Mason, for three years.

The people of this denomination dis- card all written creeds, except the Holy Scriptures, and place much stress upon the tenet, concerning the direct influence of the Holy Spirit upon the human soul, and his vital importance in the convic- tion, conversion and sanctification of mankind. About this time the minds of many citizens were somewhat con- fused in regard to the nature and status of this new Christian movement. A popular misunderstanding concerning it was all the more natural and excusable from the fact that a large religious de- nomination, churches of which are located principally in Kentucky and other por- tions of the southwest, generally calling themselves Disciples' Church, and of whom the Rev. Alexander Campbell, president of Bethany College, Virginia, was a talented and distinguished leader, have also, in many instances of late, as- sumed the Catholic name, "Christian Church." Frequent explanations of the matter became all the more necessary at the time from the fact that, during nearly the same dates as above mentioned, a church of this last-named branch of the Christian denominations was formed in this city, and known as the Disciples' Church of Christ in Springfield. Marion W. Baker has been the pastor for several years past, the church being without a regular pastor since he resigned in 1906.

DISCIPLES' CHURCH OF CHRIST IN SPRING- FIELD.

This church was established under the labors of Rev. A. Campbell, of Cincinnati,

484

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

September 5, 1886. These good people finally erected a neat and commodious frame edifice on the southeast corner of Mulberry and Yellow Springs Streets, where church services and a Sunday- school are regularly maintained. This house of worship, from foundation to finish, owing to delays, required from 1892 to 1893 in building, and was dedicated in 1894, Governor Ira B. Chase, of Indiana, delivering the dedication discourse. There is a present membership of 450, and there are 350 in the Sunday-school. A complete list of pastors includes Rev. B. C. Black, who served from 1889 to 1890; E. W. Hammon, 1890-91; H. Elliott Ward, 1891- 93; Horace Sibrell, 1893-94; J. P. Childs, 1895 ; E. T. Hayes, 1895-97 ; J. S. Bonham, 1898-99; W. A. Harp, 1899-1907. This church has had nine regular pastors.

In 1906 the church was enlarged and remodeled and converted into a quite modern and beautiful edifice, at a cost of about $9,000. It is now a brick veneer with auditorium, lecture-room, class- rooms, kitchen, and large dining-room.

Many special meetings have been held and nearly 800 have been added to the membership during the present pastorate and but for death and removals this would be one of the largest congregations in the city.

The congregation is quite thoroughly organized with splendid C. E. and Junior Endeavor, Women's Missionary Society, Men's League, five strong bands in the Ladies' Aid, Home Department and Cradle roll in the Sunday-school. The congregation is not only evangelistic but has given much attention to the care of widows and orphans.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Chronological order requires us next to notice the United Presbyterian Denomi- nation.

Says Dr. Kay, "I am indebted to my aged friend, William A. Barnett, Esq., for the following particulars in regard to the history of the United Presbyterian" Church of this city. Mr. Barnett has been an intelligent and exemplary member, and firm supporter of this church for more than half a century, and he yet lives to bless our community with his presence. From him we learn that it is difficult to give the exact date of its first organiza- tion, which was effected under the name of the Associate Reform Presbyterian Church. This society, for the first nine- teen years of its existence, was a branch of what is now the First United Presby- terian Church of Xenia, and the first min- ister was the Rev. John Steele, who came from Bourbon County, Kentucky, in 1817, at a salary of $500 per year for both con- gregations, preaching here one-fourth of the time, and the balance of the time in Xenia. Serving the double charge for nineteen years, his son, Rev. John Steele, Jr., says his father never missed but twice in filling his appointments here, and that was when he was sick, and during a pro- tracted illness of Mrs. Steele. Mr. Steele left home on horseback early on Sabbath mornings and came to Mr. James Stew- art's, six miles south of town for break- fast, and then came to town and preached two sermons and returned home in the evening, having had a ride of forty miles. He resigned the double charge in 1836, and retired from the ministry, after preaching forty years."

485

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

In 1838 Rev. James F. Sawyer became pastor, for all of the time, and about this time the society became an organized con- gregation. On account of ill health, Mr. Sawyer gave up the charge in 1848. The Rev. Robert Henry was the next pastor, from December, 1850, until June, 1853. Rev. Joseph Clokey was pastor from March 1, 1855, to March 1, 1875. Rev. Joseph Kyle became pastor January 1, 1877, and continued until July, 1891. Rev. R. H. Hume, the present incumbent, be- came pastor June 1, 1892.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 51

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co. Number of Pages: 1086

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1086