USA > Ohio > Church of the Brethren in southern Ohio > Part 15
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Some six years later the congregation became a separate organization and included territory, not only of the two adjacent churches, but also some from the Bear Creek con- gregation. Elder John Calvin Bright was the moderator for the organization meeting and Elder John Smith was made elder of the new church. Other officers of the newly organized group included John Kuns, secretary, Samuel Vaniman, treasurer, and Jacob Kuns, Grant Stoner, and A. W. Shafer, trustees. The new organization started with one hundred twenty members and a very active Sunday school.
After presiding for one year Elder John Smith was suc- ceeded by Elder L. A. Bookwalter, who was in charge until 1909. That year Elder D. M. Garver, who had moved to Trot- wood from the Lower Twin congregation, was elected elder; he served continuously in that capacity until his death in 1926. From 1918 until just two months before his decease he also carried on the pastoral work of the church, first as part-time and later as full-time pastor.
In September 1926 J. F. Burton became pastor of the Trotwood church, serving until 1932. He was succeeded by William D. Fisher, from Pennsylvania. In 1936 Brother Fisher resigned and another pastor named Fisher, this time E. R. Fisher of the Four Mile church, Southern Indiana, was in- stalled. After a pastorate of fourteen years he was followed by Paul W. Kinsel, a native of Southern Ohio, who had been serving the church in Frederick, Maryland. During the years of this able pastoral leadership the Trotwood church has had a rapid and consistent growth, until from the original mem-
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bership of one hundred twenty it has enlarged to comprise five hundred thirty-eight members.
The church has ordained four men to the eldership through the years: William Swinger, 1914; Frank Eby, 1926;
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Architect's Drawing of the New Trotwood Church
Orion Erbaugh, 1940; and Mark Shellhaas, 1946. Norman Conover was ordained a minister in 1911.
Upon the death of Elder Garver, J. F. Burton, the pastor, became elder, serving until 1930. Then Elder J. W. Fidler held the office for one year, after which Hugh Cloppert presided until 1934. At that time William Hollinger took over; he was succeeded by Foster M. Bittinger in 1951. Raymond R. Peters became the moderator in 1954.
Other ministers and elders who have resided in the con- gregation include Granville Minnich, William Swinger, C. M. Bantz, and Emanuel Shank.
Elizabeth Weybright Oberholtzer, missionary in China for many years, came from the Trotwood church.
The church will soon be ready for the dedication of a remodeled and greatly enlarged house of worship.
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The parsonage, built in 1926, stands next to the church.
The congregation was host to Sunday-school institutes in 1909, 1921, and 1928, and entertained the Southern Ohio district conference in 1913, 1927, and 1939.
The Trotwood church has often been represented on district boards, General Brotherhood Board offices and com- mittees, and on the Standing Committee, and, in the person of Elder D. M. Garver, in the moderatorship of Annual Con- ference. Paul W. Kinsel, the pastor, is a member of the District Board, and Joe Flora is the Brotherhood Fund representative for the district. J. C. Flora is a member of the Historical Committee responsible for this volume.
TROY
Members contributing to the earliest membership of the Troy church came from the Lost Creek-Casstown group and from the Stillwater-Covington area. The Southern Ohio Mission Board began to direct the work in Troy in 1910. But before that date, in August 1909, an interested group here got together in a council meeting and effected an organization with thirty-five members, which included one minister, Oran S. Yount, and one deacon, W. S. Bashore. Jacob Coppock was the first elder-in-charge. The new organization received full recognition as a congregation of Southern Ohio in 1914.
The Mission Board of the district purchased a property, which had been a Methodist church, in 1911. It was located at McKaig Avenue and Monroe Street. Oran S. Yount, the only resident minister, carried on the pulpit work with the as- sistance of visiting ministers. Afterward various lay workers and ministers and elders gave their efforts to the cause in Troy. I. G. Blocher was the elder-in-charge as the previous history went to press.
The church building was remodeled in 1919 and rededi- cated on June 22, Otho Winger giving the sermon. By this time the membership was eighty and the average attendance at Sunday school was thirty-one.
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J. O. Garst became elder-in-charge in 1920. Hugh Miller acted as pastor in 1921-23. Then the work fell to J. O. Garst and Roy Karns, perhaps up to 1928. After an interim with visiting ministers, Charles Flory became part-time pastor in
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The Troy Church
1930 in a joint parish with the Piqua church. This arrange- ment continued until 1941. In September 1941 J. C. Flora began his interim service, which continued until December of that year. Then in January of 1942 John Kneisly took over and continued until July. A call was extended to W. Glenn McFadden, just graduating from Bethany Seminary, to be the full-time pastor. He began his work here in July 1942, remaining as the church's leader until he answered a call in 1950 to the Elgin church, Illinois. The congregation then called Murray Wagner, of Virginia, who moved to Troy in August 1950. He is the present pastor of the Troy church.
The church building was again remodeled in 1932, with a new basement, kitchen, furnace room, and modern facili- ties. Changes were made in the balcony. A rededication service
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was held on October 2 with D. G. Berkebile giving the sermon. Still further remodeling and decorating was done in 1944. Another dedication was held in November with Raymond R. Peters, of Elgin, Illinois, then the secretary of the Board of Christian Education, giving the sermon.
The membership had now reached over two hundred and the Sunday-school attendance averaged one hundred forty- one. The congregation withdrew from Mission Board support in 1945, becoming a self-sustaining congregation.
Almost immediately plans were initiated for finding a new location and building a more commodious structure. It was while W. Glenn McFadden was pastor that the plans matured. A lot was purchased in the 1400 block of West Main Street. Plans for the building were adopted and a ground- breaking ceremony was held on May 21, 1950. The resignation of Brother McFadden had been accepted in March and a new leader to carry the members through this major project be- came necessary. As noted above, Murray Wagner was called. An installation service was held on September 3, 1950. The church building on McKaig was sold to the Grace Baptist congregation and possession was given in January 1950. Services were held in the Edwards school until it was possible to assemble in the new building.
The work on the new building was hindered by the weather and a lack of materials. Everything was dormant from Thanksgiving 1950 to Easter 1951. But when conditions im- proved, the members-men, women and children-went to work. An enormous amount of volunteer labor went into the construction. The cornerstone was laid on September 3, 1951, in an appropriate ceremony. The structure is of brick veneer on concrete block. The appointments of the interior are un- usually beautiful. Adequate parking space is provided around the church. The dedication was held on September 7, 1952, President V. F. Schwalm of Manchester College giving the dedication sermon. So another most beautiful and impressive house of God has become a reality in Southern Ohio.
A parsonage was purchased in 1942 at 1418 Peters Road.
Since J. O. Garst, who served as elder from 1920 to 1924, the elders-in-charge have been D. G. Berkebile, 1924-36; J. H.
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Eidemiller, 1936-39; Oliver Royer, 1939-41; Ray O. Shank, 1941 to the present time. Since 1949 Frank Brower has been designated as assistant elder.
The church licensed Dale Gibboney in 1942 and installed him into the ministry in 1945. Eugene Palsgrove was licensed in 1944; Mohler Filbrun, 1944 to 1948; James Tyler and Robert McFadden in 1948; Donald Matthews in 1954.
Carl Lehman was ordained a minister in 1930 and an elder in 1941; at this latter time Obed Hovatter was also ordained to the eldership. James Tyler was ordained to the ministry in 1951. Besides the ministers already mentioned, D. D. Funderburg moved into the Troy congregation in 1949.
Deacons installed since 1920 include E. W. Brumbaugh, Victor Smith, and Emmert Flory, 1936; Lowell Noffsinger and Earl Shroyer, 1945; and Mohler Filbrun, Verl Olwine, and Gilbert Lightner, 1951.
The Sunday-school superintendents have been O. S. Yount, Charles Brill, E. W. Brumbaugh, Frank Helmick, Mary Gnodle, and H. E. Royer.
In September 1949, the church celebrated the fortieth anniversary with a homecoming. Desmond W. Bittinger was the guest speaker.
The church was host to the district ministerial meeting of 1945, and at other times to other gatherings of smaller numbers.
The membership at present is two hundred fifty-five.
Brother and Sister McFadden served as camp directors; Brother McFadden was for several years a member of the Board of Christian Education of the district and was also moderator of District Conference. E. W. Brumbaugh was a member of the Board of Christian Education. Frank Brower was a member of the Apportionment Committee of the district. Helen Noffsinger edited the Southern Ohio Herald for a while. D. D. Funderburg has been serving as district director of leadership training. Mary Gnodle has directed and taught in vacation Bible schools. Eugene Palsgrove participated in Brethren Volunteer Service.
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TURKEY CREEK
The origin of the Turkey Creek church, Kentucky, is indicated by the following, taken from the district meeting minutes of 1947:
"Turkey Creek, Kentucky "April 20, 1947
"To the district conference of Southern District of Ohio in session at the Oakland church, Gettysburg, Ohio.
"Dear Brethren and Sisters in Council: We, the members of the Church of the Brethren living in and around Turkey Creek, Kentucky, on the Kentucky side and around Wil- liamson, West Va., on the West Va. side, do hereby petition the Southern District of Ohio to grant us to organize our membership into a new and separate organization from our respective organizations, namely, Wolfe Creek and Rock House, the new organization to be called Turkey Creek. “Signed, Keither Wilson, elder Fayette Fields, minister Garland Wilson, treasurer Lizzie Wilson, member Opal Fields, member Ethel G. Chapman, member
Hessie Wilson, member Sadie Duncan, member Belle Stepp, member Nannie Stepp, member "Petition granted by district conference."
The church building was dedicated December 7, 1947, Ray O. Shank giving the dedicatory sermon. There were forty members at this time. The Men's Work of the district furnished funds and volunteer labor for the structure. The amount of $3,000 was set aside in 1946 for the project. Brother Roscoe Inman directed the construction.
Howard Erbaugh became the first pastor on a part-time basis, with the local ministers assisting. Carl Lauer, formerly pastor at Circleville, became the next pastor in 1950. He was the first resident pastor. In September 1953 he was succeeded
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by Kenneth Fisher, of Southern Illinois, the present pastor. A parsonage was completed in 1950, the cost being borne by the local group, the General Brotherhood Board, and
The Turkey Creek Church
the District Mission Board. The General Brotherhood Board at present furnishes the pastor's salary. The work here is supervised by the District Board through the Commission on Ministry, Missions and Church Extension.
Chester George, chairman of Men's Work, who passed away October 30, 1948, was honored by the congregation by the dedication of the pulpit and two chairs to his memory.
The present membership is fifty-one. Dolar Ritchey, of the District Board, is the presiding elder.
UNION CITY
The original congregation that developed into the Union City church was known as Greenville Creek, whose earliest recorded activities date back to 1833. An organization was effected in September 1851, with seventy-three members living in a rather wide area. Emanuel Flory was perhaps the first
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elder-in-charge. Thomas Wenrick, the first minister to be ordained elder (1865), was given oversight of the congrega- tion for nearly twenty years. Another elder long presiding over Greenville Creek was W. K. Simmons-from 1887 to 1912. B. F. Sharp succeeded him and was in charge when the former history came out.
For over three decades services were held in homes, barns, schoolhouses, and forests.
In December 1868, at an important council meeting, it was decided they should build a church north of Union City, and also that the name should be changed to Union City. This church was dedicated in October of 1870.
Following this the Greenville Creek territory began to be divided into four other congregations. First was the Bear Creek church near Portland, Indiana. Then in 1891 the Pleasant Valley church was created to the north and east of the city of Union City. In 1903 the Poplar Grove church was formed to the south.
In 1911 a Sunday school was organized in Union City. Preaching services followed soon. In 1917 the erection of a church building was begun; it was dedicated in 1918. At the close of the 1920 history the congregation was still holding services in the building in the country erected in 1870. The congregation numbered one hundred thirty-one. B. F. Sharp was in charge as elder. W. P. Noffsinger was overseeing the preaching.
In 1921 D. R. Murray came as the first pastor and remained two years. An interim followed without a pastor. In 1924 Ivan L. Erbaugh began his work at Union City; he continued until 1934. R. N. Leatherman was called in 1934 and had served only two years when he was suddenly stricken and died. D. G. Berkebile followed in 1936 and led the congrega- tion for thirteen years, or until 1949. In that year Kenneth Long was called from Indiana to be the pastor; he is ministering there at this time.
The eldership changed more often. B. F. Sharp was in charge of the congregation until 1921, making nine years consecutively. Charles L. Flory served from 1921 to 1924; Ivan Erbaugh, 1924-30; B. F. Sharp again, 1930-31. G. O. Stutsman
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of Greenville followed, 1934-39. Then Roy Honeyman became the presiding elder, remaining until 1941. D. G. Berkebile served again from 1941 to 1949. E. S. Hollinger began in 1949 and still presides over the Union City congregation.
The Union City Church
Other ministers not already mentioned who have resided or still reside in the congregation include Charles Stocksdale, Earl McFarland, Arthur Dodge, and William Sell.
The only ordination to the eldership recorded since 1920 was that of Theodore Eley in 1924.
Six deacons in all have been installed here: Roy Early in 1925, Warren Thornhill in 1934; Charles Wenner and Claud Mikesell in 1935; Ira Mikesell and John Keltner in 1948.
The Sunday-school superintendents, in succession, have been Charles Mikesell, Charles Stocksdale, Don Weimer, Charles Mikesell, Ira Mikesell, Orla Huffman, John Keltner, Ira Mikesell, John Keltner, and Walter Brumbaugh.
The one-hundredth anniversary of the organization was observed in 1951. The country house erected in 1870 was sold and torn down in 1934.
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Lois Netzley Shull, with her husband, Ernest, went as a missionary to India in 1946. D. G. Berkebile has been on both the Ministerial Board and the Mission Board of Southern Ohio. Rachel Keltner served on the District Women's Work Cabinet. Theora Oswalt is director of intermediate work for Southern Ohio, and Kenneth Long, the present pastor, was a member of and recording secretary for the newly formed District Board. He formerly was a member of the Board of Christian Education.
In addition several Union City men have been attendants on cattle boats delivering relief heifers. Robert Mikesell was in Brethren Volunteer Service. The men of the congregation have contributed six heifers for relief.
The membership of the Union City congregation is recorded as two hundred forty-seven. The church continues to grow.
WEST ALEXANDRIA
The Twin church had its origin in the first decade of the nineteenth century, perhaps 1805 or 1806. It comprised parts of six counties. It was divided into Upper Twin and Lower Twin in 1830. The names became Upper Twin and Sugar Hill in 1913. At that time Sugar Hill included also Tom's Run and Middletown. Sugar Hill, located one-half mile out of West Alexandria, and Tom's Run, located four miles east, became the West Alexandria church in 1923. The Tom's Run church house was sold and was then converted into a dwelling. The Sugar Hill house was dismantled and parts of it were used in the construction of the West Alexandria church, at Oak and Central streets, which was dedicated in April 1924. At the close of the former Southern Ohio history Sugar Hill had a membership of one hundred thirty and the combined average Sunday-school attendance at the two houses was ninety-one. The elder-in-charge was J. Franklin Brubaker, who was followed by B. F. Petry, 1920 to 1935.
R. N. Leatherman became the first pastor in the new location. Here he ministered from 1923 to 1929, also acting
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as elder-in-charge. John H. Good, who was installed by this congregation in 1919, became the next pastor, serving from 1929 to 1931. Having been ordained to the eldership while in his former pastorate, Stony Creek, Northwestern Ohio, he was also made elder-in-charge for the period of his pastorate. In 1931 he answered the call to the Springfield church. Jonas Groff, who had been licensed by this church in 1931 and installed in 1932, next became pastor. He continued in this capacity for ten years, until 1941. He was ordained an elder by the church in 1934 and in 1935 began work in the dual role of pastor and elder, continuing as elder to the present time. During the interim, 1931 to 1935, N. B. Wine served as elder. Paul Kinsel was called to the pastorate in 1941 and served until 1946. In 1946 John H. Good returned to minister to the church again as pastor, this time on a full-time basis; he con- tinues at this time.
In the meantime the indebtedness on the new church building had been canceled, and in 1946 the congregation pur- chased a lot adjoining the church edifice, in contemplation of erecting a parsonage here in the not-too-far-distant future. In 1949 an electric organ, with chimes, was installed.
Besides those named above, other ministers, who have resided here include Noah Beery, lettered out in 1922, and Noah W. Erbaugh, who was deceased in 1937. Other ministers licensed here include Quentin Evans in 1942 and Earl W. Shank in 1951. Jonas Groff's is the only ordination recorded.
Deacons formerly installed and continuing active into the period of this history included Arthur Henry and Harvey Erbaugh. Installations since 1920 were those of Omer Erbaugh and George Kempton, 1924; Walter Campbell, Russel Landis, and Roy Brower, 1931; George Cooper, 1936; Paul Stebbins and Ulysses Whitehead, 1952.
Those in charge of the Sunday school have been Harvey Erbaugh, George Kempton, Henry Landis, Jonas Groff, Earl Riegel, Stanley Buchanan, Lawrence Cooper, and Paul Kinsey. Others may have been in office in periods for which the records are obscure.
Martha Landis and Ida Kempton each did home mission work while holding membership at West Alexandria. This
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church co-operates with the other Brethren churches of Preble County in supporting Kathryn Kiracofe on the India mission field.
Women's work and men's work organizations in this congregation are active. The intermediates co-operate with the intermediate worker for the district.
The West Alexandria Church
Martha Landis, Mrs. Ruth Landis, and Mrs. Jessie Hill have assisted in camp work. Robert Baker has been a member of the District Youth Cabinet. U. D. Whitehead served as song leader in the adult camp. Stanley Buchanan was a member of the Auditing Committee of the district. Jonas Groff was associated with the Historical Committee of the district. Paul Kinsel was on the Board of Christian Education while a pastor here. The pastor, John H. Good, is a member of the District Board.
On July 5, 1953, the church participated in the celebration of its sesquicentennial by presenting a pageant depicting the organization of the first Church of the Brethren in Preble
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County. It was assisted by the Church of the Brethren and the Brethren church of Gratis.
In 1949 the church celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the dedication of the church building.
West Alexandria has made regular contributions toward Brethren Service and other relief programs outside its own borders. The congregation now comprises two hundred forty- one members.
WEST CHARLESTON
The West Charleston church was originally the Hickory Grove church, which, in turn was formed out of territory belonging to the Donnels Creek congregation. Hickory Grove was organized in 1830, and about thirty years later began holding services at West Charleston; however, it was not until 1903 that a permanent edifice was erected. The church was enlarged in 1914-15, providing more adequate Sunday- school facilities. Additional improvements were made in 1947 and 1949, providing modern restrooms and a kitchen. The last service in the old Hickory Grove church, which had been erected in 1854, was held in September 1917, in which year the name was changed to West Charleston. Just prior to this it was agreed to change the east boundary, giving some of its territory to the New Carlisle congregation, which change, of course, moved some of the membership to that church.
Up to 1881 the congregation had a very substantial growth but in that year lost some thirty members in the division. Starting with one hundred members, Hickory Grove took on new growth. Some well-known men were identified with its early history, including Elder Jacob Coppock, Henry Gump, and D. S. Filbrun. Elder Coppock was the church's first dele- gate to Annual Conference.
It was in 1919 that West Charleston came under regular pastoral leadership. In that year the church called Brother and Sister J. C. Flora, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to full-time work in the congregation. Ray O. Shank succeeded Brother Flora in 1925, the latter going to Pleasant Hill. In 1927 West
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Charleston began to be served by part-time and supply min- isters, continuing thus until 1943. Men who assisted in those years included J. C. Flora, Walter Hawke, Norman Wine, Paul Kinsel, C. V. Coppock, and Ivan L. Eikenberry. In 1943 the last-named became the full-time pastor and was succeeded
The West Charleston Church
in 1944 by Merlin Cassell. Clarence Priser ministered from 1945 to 1947 as stated supply preacher. Then Kenneth Frantz took over as full-time pastor, remaining until 1951, when Roy Teach became pastor.
In 1948 West Charleston purchased a parsonage in Tipp City, but, deciding afterward that it would be best to have the parsonage near the church, sold it and began construction of a new structure on land purchased adjoining the church. It was completed in 1953.
Elders who have presided over this congregation are as follows: Jacob Coppock, 1905-24; J. C. Flora, 1924-25; D. M. Garver, 1925-26; Ray O. Shank, 1926-27; H. M. Coppock, 1928- 31; J. C. Flora, 1931-54; D. D. Funderburg, 1954 -.
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Elders ordained by West Charleston include David Shell- abarger, about 1837; Henry Rubsom and Adam Stinebarger, 1858; Joseph Arnold, 1879; Henry Gump, 1886; Jacob Coppock, 1899; D. S. Filbrun, 1900; A. S. Neher and John Gump, 1911; Elmer Brumbaugh, 1916; W. W. Peters, 1919; J. C. Flora, 1920; Ray O. Shank, 1926; Ivan L. Eikenberry, 1944.
The church has called into the ministry the following: David Landis, 1835; Joseph Arnold, 1858; John Christ, 1860; Samuel Coppock, 1866; D. F. Yount, 1873, Henry Gump, 1880; Jacob Coppock, 1881; D. S. Filbrun, 1883; S. S. Gump, 1893; John Gump and Elmer Brumbaugh, 1900; A. S. Neher, 1904; Howard Eidemiller, 1907; W. W. Peters, 1910; Roy Karns, 1920; Donald Mikula, 1953.
West Charleston has graciously shared some of her workers with other fields of service. Fern Coppock, daughter of Elder Jacob Coppock, became the wife of Galen Walker, and with him has provided pastoral leadership for churches in Penn- sylvania and California. W. W. Peters has served on the General Brotherhood Board, on the faculty of Manchester College, as president of Mount Morris College and of Mc- Pherson College, and as a Brethren Service administrator in Europe. Mary Flora, daughter of Elder and Mrs. J. C. Flora, has since 1945 been, with her husband, Ivan Eikenberry, on the mission field in Nigeria, where he works as director of education on the mission staff.
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