USA > Ohio > Church of the Brethren in southern Ohio > Part 13
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Pitsburg (Ludlow) grew along with the whole Brush Creek group and by the late 1870's there were over four hundred members altogether. Just how many of these were in the Ludlow congregation is not recorded.
This 1870 building at Pitsburg was the meeting place of the Old Order group in 1881 at the time it was decided by leaders of the group to withdraw from the church. Then in 1886 the Annual Conference was held near Pitsburg. The minutes indicate that it was a very important one.
It was not until 1914 that Pitsburg was made a separate congregation. In that year the Brush Creek territory was divided into two organizations, the other one being Painter Creek. After two years the former name, Ludlow, was changed to Pitsburg. Newton Binkley, the first presiding elder, con- tinued until 1919, when S. A. Blessing became elder. Thus he was presiding when the period covered by this history began. At this time the church numbered two hundred twenty- five members. Elders within the membership included Jesse Stutsman, Newton Binkley, and Edward Miller. Charles Hylton was a minister. These assumed some of the pulpit responsibilities both at the Pitsburg house and at George- town, sharing them at the latter place with Salem.
Since 1920 Pitsburg has been under the following elders: N. W. Binkley to 1926; S. A. Blessing to 1927; N. W. Binkley to 1933; Wilmer Petry to 1934; Charles Flory to 1936; G. O. Stutsman to 1939; Oliver Royer to 1942; Roy Teach to 1947; W. Glenn McFadden to 1950; Dolar Ritchey to the present.
The church was supplied by the free ministry for several years before calling a pastor. However, a small compensa- tion was usually given for each sermon. The work prospered and the church grew. In 1927 Charles L. Flory was invited to become the part-time pastor. He and his wife did much good work. In May 1928 Wilmer Petry came to work with the church on full time. While here he was married to Miss Lucille Brower, and together they served with much success until in 1934 they resigned to accept a church in Northeastern Ohio.
Then the church returned to using the local ministers and others invited to preach from surrounding churches.
In September 1936 a call was extended to Roy K. Miller
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of Middle Pennsylvania. The interest was good and Brother Miller continued until 1939, when he accepted a call to the Brownsville church in Middle Maryland. Following this, Elder Ira Blocher did the preaching for a few months. W. R. Swinger, having moved here following ten years with mission- supported churches of Southern Ohio, then took over the pastoral duties along with his regular employment. In 1942, John Grimley and wife, under appointment by the General Mission Board to enter mission work on the foreign field, were invited to serve the church in the interim until they should leave for the Nigeria field.
When the Grimleys left, W. C. Stinebaugh of Indiana was called and began pastoral duties in September 1944; he continued with the church until in November 1949, when he became pastor of the Wabash, Indiana, church. Both Brother Grimley and Brother Stinebaugh taught classes in the week- day school of religion and Mrs. (Olive Bagwell) Stinebaugh was one of the religious instructors in the Darke County schools.
There was a lapse of a year without a pastor and again the local ministers and others invited from outside ministered to the church.
In October 1950 George W. Wright came from Western Pennsylvania to become pastor; he continues in this field at this writing. William Royer and W. R. Swinger are resident elders and are active in the local work. The only ordination since 1920 has been that of Edward Miller, in 1922.
Many deacons have been installed, however, since then, including: Joseph Oda and Boyd Miller, 1920; D. W. Bright and G. E. Porter, 1930; Irvin Aukerman, S. C. Gnagey, and Homer L. Royer, 1936; Roy Oswalt, Daniel A. Smith, and Charles Miller, 1942; Harley Utz and Ellis Williamson, 1948. Elected in 1952 were John Eikenberry and Merle Kepler.
Sunday-school superintendents who have served are, consecutively: Jennie Miller, Irvin Baker, Jesse Baker, D. W. Bright, Jennie Miller, D. W. Bright, Pearl Jobes, Homer Royer, Russell B. Lutz, Daniel A. Smith, Omer Niswonger, Daniel A. Smith, Merle Kepler, Harley D. Utz, Merle Kepler, and Daniel A. Smith.
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The title to the property was held by the Old Order Brethren until in 1952, when the original deed was given to the congregation. Extensive improvements were made in
The Pitsburg Church
1946-48, including the enlarging of the Sunday-school facilities, rewiring the structure, installing an oil furnace, remodeling and modernizing the kitchen, adding a vestibule, and installing toilets. Other improvements are in contemplation. Being one of Southern Ohio's larger church buildings it has been used for many district gatherings, among them the district conferences of 1937 and 1949, the midwinter youth conference of 1948, the district women's summer conference of 1947, and the district mission rally.
Members of Pitsburg have worked in various capacities in the district: Edward Miller on the Board of Christian Education; S. C. Gnagey as a trustee of the Greenville Brethren Home for many years; William Royer, W. C. Stinebaugh, and W. R. Swinger on the Credential Committee; and J. W. Eiken- berry and W. R. Swinger on the Apportionment Committee.
With two hundred thirty-nine members credited to this church when the 1920 history was written, the number has
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increased through the years and now stands at two hundred seventy-eight. There is a splendid Sunday school, an active youth group, and many children, the hope for the future church. The men's and women's organizations are quite active. There is a promising outlook.
PLEASANT HILL
The Pleasant Hill (Newton) church seems to have been organized between 1856 and 1857 at the suggestion of an Annual Conference committee, its territory formerly belonging to the Covington congregation. The first building was erected in 1856. An influencing personality in its earliest days was Elder John Codwallader, of Virginia and Highland County, Ohio. He was too liberal for some and in the dissension that arose he was disfellowshipped, restored, and disfellowshipped again, lastly in 1874. He and his followers formed the earliest nucleus of the Progressive church there. Isaac Price after- ward ministered to the "Newton" church, being helped some by Simon Mikesell and John Studebaker. Samuel Mohler presided as elder for a number of these early years until 1891. After 1876 the congregation seemed to have smoother sailing and was blessed with many strong ministers and elders.
It was in 1903 that the present edifice was begun and in 1916 that the Sunday-school annex was added, the total cost of both being about $22,000.
The church's first stated pastor was Charles L. Flory, who was with it in that capacity from 1913 to 1919, after which John A. Robinson served until 1925. Then followed J. C. Flora, 1925-27; W. C. Detrick, 1927-28; Charles Zunkel, 1928-32; Ivan Erbaugh, 1934-35 (deceased while serving) ; Oliver Royer, 1935-45; Dean Frantz, 1945-51. Leland Emrick succeeded Brother Frantz in 1951 and is there as this is written.
Pleasant Hill has called and installed three ministers since the second decade of the century: Mark Shellhaas in 1923, Otis Landis in 1941, and Keith Hoover in 1947.
Elders who have had the oversight of the church include John Robinson, 1919-25; J. C. Flora, 1925-27; William C.
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Detrick, 1927-31; Charles L. Flory, 1931-33; I. R. Beery, 1933-35, Ivan Erbaugh, 1935; D. G. Berkebile, 1935-36; Oliver Royer, 1936-45; Roy Honeyman, 1945-47; W. Glenn McFadden, 1947- 50; Perry Huffaker, 1950 -.
Ordinations include that of Charles Zunkel in 1932 and that of Dean Frantz in 1947.
Mrs. Eva Kindell holds an outstanding record as Sunday- school superintendent, serving from 1900 to 1920.
The church was represented on the India mission field by John Pittenger, who, with his wife, began foreign service in 1904. It is one of the Southern Ohio churches giving special support to Ivan and Mary Eikenberry on the Nigeria field. One thousand dollars was contributed to the World Council of Churches for a parish house in war-stricken Europe. Jean West and Keith Hoover, youth of the congregation, were goodwill representatives in Germany. Besides these, several
-
The Pleasant Hill Church
young men and women have entered Brethren Service. In addition to a large amount of relief work, which included giving two thousand nine hundred thirty-seven bushels of
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wheat for Holland and tons of clothing and bedding, the mem- bers have given residence to two displaced persons families and have had five German students living in their homes. Thirty-five heifers have been raised for shipment abroad.
The women are organized and very active, as also are the men, and the CBYF represents a large and active group. Youth leaders and workers have included Dan West, Mark and Thelma Shellhaas, Keith Hoover, Bob, Jean and Kenneth West, Lois Royer, and Ivan Renner. In both 1925 and 1931 the midwinter youth conference was held in this church.
Having a commodious auditorium, Pleasant Hill has been host to several district gatherings: the summer assembly of 1921, the Women's Work conference of 1936, the district con- ference of 1948, besides mission rallies and smaller youth conferences.
The Sunday-school annex was recently remodeled to provide classrooms for children; the mothers' room was pre- pared as a prayer room, with a worship center, which is open certain hours each day for prayer and meditation; tower chimes and a public address system, with hearing aids, have been installed. The installation of an electric organ is in prospect.
The congregation numbers three hundred sixty-three. It is represented on the District Board by O. L. Hoover, who is the treasurer, and Leland Emrick, who is a member of the District Council of Men's Work.
PLEASANT VALLEY
Pleasant Valley was at first a part of Greenville Creek and later of Union City. It was organized out of Union City in 1891. W. K. Simmons was the first elder-in-charge.
A frame church house was built in 1888, before the congregation became an independent organization. This building was thirty-eight by fifty-eight feet in size. A school- house, remodeled in 1883, was another preaching place. In 1900 the schoolhouse was replaced by a frame house of worship thirty-six by fifty-four. This was called the Jordan
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house. Attempts had been made to centralize and have one house, but so far without results.
At the beginning of the period of this history, B. F. Sharp was in charge as elder and Rolland F. Flory was acting as pastor. There was a membership of seventy-eight, including four ministers and four deacons residing in the congregation.
Rolland Flory continued as pastor until 1922. He was succeeded by Charles Forror, who had been installed as a minister by this church in 1900, and who remained here two years. Arthur Dodge then ministered to the congregation for two years. Charles Stocksdale followed him, serving from 1926 to 1931. Then Lester Heisey was here one year and Wilmer Petry two years, 1932-34. I. R. Beery was called to be pastor in 1935; he served until 1937. C. G. Erbaugh led the church from 1938 to 1944. Roy Karns followed him as pastor, 1944-45. Then S. S. Blough was called in 1945 to be the first full-time pastor and the first to take residence in the lately purchased parsonage. He remained until 1948, when he retired from the active ministry. E. S. Hollinger became the next full-time pastor and is the present incumbent.
B. F. Sharp continued as elder of Pleasant Valley until
The Pleasant Valley Church
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1922. David Minnich then took charge, serving from 1922 to 1926. Ivan Erbaugh had the pastoral oversight of the church from 1926 to 1934, to be followed by Theodore Eley for one year. R. N. Leatherman was then elected but was with the congregation only a short time when he died. G. O. Stutsman finished out the year, and then D. G. Berkebile was elected. He was the presiding elder from 1938 to 1949. Ken- neth Long has been the elder since then.
Besides Rolland Flory, one other minister was ordained to the eldership, Arthur Dodge, who was advanced in 1925. Eugene Lenker was licensed to preach in 1946 and ordained to the ministry in 1948. Robert Lenker was licensed in 1951.
Four deacons were residing in the congregation at the beginning of this period; five more have since been elected and installed: Bert Mckibben in 1924, Herschel Oswalt in 1930, C. R. Rhoades in 1943, and Simon Rhoades and Glen Stocksdale in 1948. At a council meeting on March 2, 1953, John C. and Enid Puterbaugh and Carl and Bessie Carey were elected deacons.
Beginning with A. J. Minnich, who was in charge of the Sunday school at the close of the former history, the super- intendents have been, in order, Bert Mckibben, W. A. Clark, Glen Stocksdale, Richard Stocksdale, Glen Stocksdale, Simon Rhoades, Edna Caupp, Herman Stocksdale, Gerald Lenker, C. R. Rhoades, Harold Rhoades, and Donald Stocksdale, in the order of their first election to that office.
The original church building, erected in 1888, has been several times improved and remodeled. First, rooms were added for Sunday-school classes. In 1939 the location of the pulpit was changed and a vestibule and two more classrooms were provided. A dedication was held with Otho Winger as the speaker. Volunteer labor provided most of the con- struction. In 1940 the church was again improved by the installation of a new furnace, the laying of new oak floors, the enlarging of the pulpit space, and the laying of new carpets. A dedication, with Edward Kintner speaking, was held.
The most recent improvement was the installation of an electric organ in December 1951. It was dedicated with appropriate services in January of 1952.
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One project of this congregation especially worthy of note was the purchase of a farm, the house on which became the parsonage. After a careful study of the matter it was agreed to take pledges for the project. When $3,500 had been paid in, it was used as the down payment on a farm of forty acres about one-half mile from the church. The house was modernized, the lawn was landscaped, and the first occupants, Pastor and Mrs. S. S. Blough, moved in after appropriate dedication services. The farm is managed by the board of five church trustees. The ground is farmed by volunteer labor and the income, since the mortgage was paid off, is used for current needs. A mortgage-burning ceremony was held in October of 1950. It has been a worthy project successfully managed.
The church now records a membership of ninety-four. The average attendance is about seventy. There have been forty-five baptisms in the last five years.
POPLAR GROVE
Poplar trees planted on the church grounds gave this church its name. The trees have ceased to be but the church moves on. It is a child of the Union City (Greenville Creek) congregation, cut from this territory and organized into a separate congregation in 1903. There were ninety-seven mem- bers of record, with two ministers and three deacons included. Samuel Blocher, Jr., was placed in charge, with J. G. Helman assisting. Brother Blocher seems to have been in charge of the work until December 1916.
A rather large house of worship was erected in 1898. The dedication was held in November with Isaac Frantz giving the dedicatory sermon.
At the beginning of the third decade of the twentieth century there were one hundred seventy members and an average Sunday-school attendance of ninety-seven. B. F. Sharp was elder-in-charge and acting pastor.
B. F. Sharp continued as elder until 1928. Then William U. Wagner took over and presided until 1933. For one year
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Wilmer Petry was the elder. Theodore Eley presided from 1934 to 1944. D. G. Berkebile followed for one year. James M. Moore was then elected to be in charge; this relationship was terminated by his death in January 1955.
B. F. Sharp acted as pastor until 1921, when Theodore Eley became the leader; he continued until 1928. Then Wil- liam U. Wagner led the congregation from 1928 to 1932. Wilmer Petry served in 1934. R. N. Leatherman was designated pastor in 1935, and was succeeded in 1936 by D. G. Berkebile, who remained at Poplar Grove nine years. In 1945 James M. Moore came from Pennsylvania to take up the pastorate; here he worked until January 1955.
Besides the ministers named above, U. R. McCorkle, an elder, has resided in the congregation since 1927. Paul Halla- day was installed into the ministry in 1919 and lived here
The Poplar Grove Church
until joining the faculty of Manchester College. Wilmer Eley was licensed in 1943.
The present deacon board consists of: H. M. Blocher (a charter member of the church); Earl Wagner (installed in
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1936) ; Harry Williams (installed the same year); Lyle Bond and Richard Stocksdale (installed in 1948); Charles Rine- barger, William Paulin, Mered Blocher, and Carl Eiken- berry (installed in 1954). In 1927 Ralph Halladay had been installed into the deacon's office. The deacon body of former years was composed of: Jacob Noffsinger; S. W. Bollinger; Emanuel Hollinger; Jacob Halladay; Frank Huffman; Ralph Halladay; and Wesley Keltner. With the exception of Emanuel Hollinger, who moved away in 1938, all these are deceased.
The work of the Sunday school has been directed by the following superintendents: Levi Blocher, 1920-22; H. M. Blocher, 1923-24; Hugh Onkst, 1925-29; Orla Huffman, 1930-32; Prudence Eley, 1933-36; Richard Stocksdale, 1937-39; Bessie Huffman, 1940-41; Lawrence Miller, 1942; Ralph Halladay, 1943-45; since 1946, Charles Rinebarger.
In November 1948 a fitting program was given com- memorating the fiftieth anniversary of the dedication of the present building.
The church has furnished leaders for the wider fields. Theodore Eley, Ruth Halladay Burkett, and Bessie Huffman have been camp leaders. Mrs. Burkett has also been on the District Youth Cabinet. H. M. Blocher was for several years a trustee of the Brethren Home. The church was host to the district conference of 1925, to the missionary rally in 1945, and to other smaller district gatherings.
The house of worship has recently undergone extensive remodeling; a rededication service was held in October of 1952 with Paul W. Kinsel delivering the sermon. Twenty- eight of the charter members are still living, several of whom enjoyed the rededication service. The remodeled building now has a lovely sanctuary, adequate classrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, restrooms, a mothers' room, and space for more classrooms when needed.
Interest has been manifested in and contributions are continuing for the work of the Brotherhood, the district, Brethren Service, European and Near East relief, and the Heifer Project.
The membership is one hundred fifty-five. The work is encouraging and the prospects good for growth.
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POTSDAM
This is a church which was not included in the history of 1920. That history did, however, record the erection of a building at Potsdam (Georgetown) jointly by Salem and Ludlow (Pitsburg) in 1860. This was superseded in 1875 by a larger one, and this by a still larger and more modern one in 1917-18.
Through the years the Potsdam church continued to be a part of both the Salem and the Pitsburg congregation. Back through the years it was served by the free ministry, in- cluding both resident ministers and those living in the parent congregations and other near-by churches. Included in this group of ministers were: Lester O. Heisey, P. N. Cool, W. C. Detrick, Mrs. W. C. Detrick, Foster Myers, A. H. Bucklew, Sylvan Bookwalter, and S. A. Blessing.
The Potsdam Church
The congregation was organized as a separate church in 1924, with one hundred seventy charter members and with Sylvan Bookwalter as the first elder; he continued in charge
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until 1932. S. A. Blessing followed, serving to 1950, when Ray O. Shank became elder. Philip Lauver succeeded him.
The congregation decided, in 1947, to change the name from Georgetown to Potsdam.
Four deacons were installed in 1952, namely, Lester Hall, Alva Petry, Harry Hutcheson, and Franklin Baker. Sunday- school superintendents reported are, in order, as follows: Harry Delk, 1924; Robert Honeyman, 1934; Harris Shanck, 1938.
In 1948 a move was begun for the erection of a parsonage and the employment of a full-time pastor. The previous year the church had purchased thirty acres of land adjacent to the church grounds, and from this church farm the men cut logs to make timber for the parsonage. The house was con- structed and ready for occupancy by September 1, 1950. It is a beautiful seven-room frame structure with full base- ment, adjoining breezeway, and garage. The approximate cost was $15,000, plus the volunteer labor by men of the church. By September 17, 1950, the day of dedication, $12,500 had been collected toward the cost.
On September 1, 1950, L. John Weaver came from the Eaton church to become the first pastor at Potsdam. From the one hundred seventy charter members the congregation has grown to number three hundred four at present. Conditions are favorable for continued growth.
The church entertained a rural life conference in 1953. John Lowell Hutcheson represented the church in Brethren Volunteer Service. The pastor, L. John Weaver, is a member of the District Board.
PRICES CREEK
The origin of the Prices Creek church roots back into the proximity of its location to the Twin Creek area, and to the emigration of staunch Pennsylvania members into the territory. In 1820 Twin Creek members moved along the banks of Prices Creek. A dozen Pennsylvanians located here in 1832. These combined to make the charter membership of the Prices Creek organization in 1834. There was no house of
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worship until 1850, services being held in homes and in barns. In that year a church was built at Castine. The membership grew rapidly and another building was erected to the west of Prices Creek in 1864, ten miles north of Eaton, unique in the fact that it provided for housing the caretaker. The congregation continuing to grow, another church house was built more than a dozen miles northwest of this latter one in 1894, to be known as Cedar Grove. Thus, out of the original territory comprising about one hundred eighty square miles there arose three rather flourishing congregations. Prices Creek had, through these early years, many leaders whose names were familiar throughout the Brotherhood. It has the distinction of calling some ministers who later became well- known church leaders.
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The Prices Creek Church
At the close of the second decade of the twentieth century the officialdom of the church consisted of ten deacons and eight ministers. This was before Castine and Cedar Grove became separate organizations. Herschel Weaver, elected to the ministry here in 1907 and ordained in 1917, was deceased
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in 1920, to be followed, as elder, by S. A. Blessing. He was the pastor until 1922. Although the congregation was rather noted for the election of many ministers before 1920, subse- quent to that date the records show but two elections, that of B. W. Timmons in 1921 and that of Leland B. Emrick in 1942.
Herschel Weaver served the church well until his early death in 1920. Following Brother Weaver's decease, I. G. Blocher of Greenville took over the eldership, becoming the pastor also in 1923, and served until 1928. Then H. Jesse Baker, having moved into the congregation, assumed the leadership as both elder and pastor until 1937, when he moved to Polo, Illinois. In 1934, during his pastorate, the congrega- tion celebrated its centennial anniversary.
After being assisted by visiting ministers for a few months, Prices Creek called Kenneth W. Hollinger to be the pastor. In 1942 the church ordained him to the eldership; he presided until 1943. E. R. Fisher of Trotwood was then chosen elder, continuing in that capacity until 1949. Roy G. Engle came as pastor in 1943 and served until 1946, at which time Henry T. Barnhart of Dayton assumed the pastoral leadership. He also became elder in 1949.
The original building, erected in 1864, remains as the present house of worship, though remodeled in 1907, 1918, 1934, 1939, 1945, and 1951, the last a $10,000 project including a modern kitchen, restrooms, a new entrance, and additional Sunday-school rooms.
The membership of this church has fluctuated but there has been a persistent growth. It first suffered in the split of 1881. In 1926 it suffered somewhat of a membership setback by the withdrawal of a group to unite with the Dunkard Brethren. In contributing to the charter membership of Castine in 1922, and of Cedar Grove in 1941, the Prices Creek membership was reduced, but it kept on growing and records a membership of some two hundred sixty-five members at this writing. This church also fed into the Richmond, Indiana, church.
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