USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part One > Part 33
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
"One of the most attractive features of these meetings to me," Mr. Dobbins continues, "was the singing, which I very often enjoyed. I remember one of the favorite hymns they sung was the 'Turtle Dove.' I admired it so much that I committed it to memory, but have forgotten all but the first verse :
Hark! don't you hear the turtle dove The token of redeeming love, From hill to hill we hear the sound The neighboring valleys echo round.
"There was something sublime and beau- tiful in the music of that sweet, old hymn, swelling from the lips of the vast congregation, so full of soothing melody, as it rose soft and clear, floating upward and dying away amid the sighing of the summer wind in the sur- rounding forest."
METHODIST.
Grace Methodist Episcopal Church .- On Christmas Eve, 1879, was held the first prayer meeting of the Methodists in South Lima at the residence of Joseph Ballard. Those pres- ent were Mr. and Mrs. Ballard and Timothy Shroyer. On the 6th of March, 1880, at the second quarterly meeting of the Shawnee cir- cuit held at Allentown, Ohio, the Methodist Church of South Lima was organized. Ad- dison Berry was presiding elder and W. G. Littell was pastor of the Shawnee circuit. J. Ballard, Simon Halm, W. P. Witherill, R. H. Snodgrass, Jerome Shockey, George Busick and Wesley Ritenour were the first trustees of the organization.
The services at the first were held at the residence of the pastor where the St. John's road intersects Main street. In the fall of 1880, Rev. Maltbie was pastor and during his ministration the lot at the corner of Elizabeth and Kibby streets was purchased and the first church building was commenced. This build- ing, still standing on West Kibby street, is owned by John Boysell.
The next pastor, Rev. Joseph Webber, came in the fall of 1881 and was followed in 1882 by Rev. J. L. Albritton. The church was finished during his ministry and was dedi- cated in November, 1881, by Rev. Harvey Wilson.
In 1883 the present church edifice on the corner of Elizabeth and Kibby streets was finished and dedicated August 3rd by Rev. Leroy Belt. The following pastors have since served : Revs. J. H. Crooks, R. W. Schultz, D. R. Cook, Peter Biggs, Stewart Baumgart- ner. L. S. Albright, W. H. Leatherman, W. J. Hegerman and T. L. Wiltsee (deceased in October, 1905).
241
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
The church was remodeled and dedicated in September, 1895. It is free from debt and in a prosperous condition.
Epworth Methodist Episcopal Church .- At a quarterly conference held in the autumn of 1894, at Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church in Lima, E. Charity, Dr. T. H. Foltz and H. Parham were appointed a committee to find a church site, raise money and pro- ceed to erect a church building in East Lima. C. McCurry was later added to the committee and they proceeded to purchase a lot and let the contract for the erection of a frame build- ing. This building was dedicated July 7, 1895, by Rev. D. Moore, editor of the West- ern Christian Advocate, now one of the bish- ops of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The class was organized with 51 members by the first pastor, Rev. J. F. Olive, and at the close of the year the class showed a healthy growth, an Epworth and a Junior League being organized in the meantime.
In September, 1895, Rev. E. T. Daily was appointed to serve the people of . Epwortlt, but his throat becoming affected he was com- pelled to rest from the ministry for a time and Rev. B. F. McCoy came to fill out the year. In October, 1896, Rev. F. A. Zimmer- man was pastor and was followed in October, 1897, by Rev. D. R. Cook. Two years later Rev. George Wood Anderson was appointed to the Epworth charge. He labored most earnestly for the upbuilding of the church. In the early part of his pastorate the church building was destroyed by fire, which caused discouragement, but not loss of hope. Re- newed courage came, and they went from tomb-stone shop to Opera House for services, while a new building was in course of erec- tion. The membership grew and the church gained prestige in the city.
In August, 1902. the present beautiful church building, costing $17,000, was dedi- cated by Rev. L. A. Belt, D. D., president of the Ohio Normal University, of Ada, Ohio. After four years of zealous work, increasing the membership to more than 300, Mr. Ander- son was transferred to a New York conference and stationed at Troy. New York.
Rev. C. C. Kennedy was his worthy suc- cessor, and labored for a year most faithfully to collect subscriptions and reduce the church debt. His success was considerable.
Rev. B. F. Reading was the next pastor, and with good audiences, a good Sunday- school, a growing Epworth League and a splendid Junior League, the congregation seems hopeful for the future. Her people are pleasant, devoted, faithful and sacrificing and when the church debt is paid, Epworth will be one of the most pleasant and desirable charges in the Central Ohio Conference.
St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church .- This church was organized in 1862 by Rev. Grafton Graham, at the residence of James Robinson. There were only four mem- bers -- James Robinson, Catherine Robinson, Patrick Howard and Rebecca Howard, none of whom is living. Rev. H. J. Andrews was the first pastor. They held their meetings for about a year in private houses and then pur- chased the old schoolhouse which they occu- pied until 1875. At this time through the efforts of Rev. Reuben Clark, the old Presby- terian Church, located at the corner of Spring and Elizabeth streets, was bought from the First Presbyterian Society for $1,600 and this is their present place of worship. The church is in a flourishing condition, with a membership of 130, a splendid Sunday-school. and a church property free from debt. Rev. Thomas Alfton is the pastor.
BAPTIST.
The First Baptist Church of Lima was organized January 25. 1834, with 26 mem- bers: Mr. and Mrs. James S. Daniels, Mr. and Mrs. William Chenoweth, Mr. and Mrs. James Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Haw- thorn, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Lippincott. Mr. and Mrs. John Lippincott, Mr. and Mrs. Sam- uel B. Lippincott, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Homan, Mr. and Mrs. Barzillai Osborn, Nancy Johnson. Benjamin M. Daniels, Nancy Daniels, Betsy Terry. Sarah Chalmers, Phoebe Homan and Rev. and Mrs. William Chaffee.
Rev. William Chaffee was their first pas-
2.42
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
tor. The church was admitted into the Mad River Association August, 1834. Until Oc- tober 18th of that year services were held in the old Court House, at which time a house of worship was completed which is still standing on the corner of Union and Spring streets.
A request of the Presbyterian society for the use of the church on certain days was unanimously granted. Thus so early in our simple church history was recognized that principle now so widely advocated-"the uni- versal brotherhood of man." The granting of such a request would no doubt have been con- sidered sacrilege in the early days of the New England settlements.
Yet I doubt not through the ages one increasing purpose runs,
And the thoughts of men are widened with the process of the suns.
In 1855 the present house of worship was erected and was dedicated to the worship of God in June, 1856. There have attended the church through the vicissitudes and triumphs that necessarily came, 21 pastors, as follows : They are: William Chaffee, James French, Daniel Thomas, J. Dinkleman, D. Beemis, J. C. Armstrong, G. L. Stevens, J. L. Moore, T. M. Chapman, C. A. Clark, James Sykes, A. G. Kirk, M. W. Holmes, J. B. Cook, W. E. Wen- man, D. B. Cheney, D. D., W. E. Freeman, G. B. Morse, C. M. Rupe, Deere and George Lord.
During the pastorate of J. L. Moore, W. W. Mckibben, who is now a missionary in China, was converted. It was while Mr. Moore was pastor that an organ was pur- chased and at the pastor's request was taken quietly into the church, as certain members were opposed to instrumental music.
South Lima Baptist Church .- This church occupies a tasteful brick edifice at the corner of Kibby and Pine streets, and is situ- ated in the centre of a large and interesting population. Its membership is composed of working people of sterling character and spir- itual worth. By their fellowship in Christian work and worship, they give promise of be- coming one of the vigorous spiritual forces of South Lima.
The church was organized May 31, 1896,
in the W. C. T. U. Hall on West Kibby street, by 22 persons, who received letters of dismission from the First Baptist Church for the purpose of organizing a church on the South Side of the city. At this time there were in that portion of the city a population of 6,000, and only two churches, these together having a membership of less than 1,000. They were rec- ognized August 31, 1896, as a regular Bap- tist church by a council of delegates from churches of the Auglaize Association. They chose for their name, "The Berean Baptist. Church of Lima, Ohio." Rev. George Byron Morse, the retiring pastor of the First Baptist Church who had led them in the movement, was elected to be their pastor. Other officers. were: Mrs. Emma Van Horne, clerk; John Bradrick, treasurer ; Mrs. Allie Miller, financial secretary; Rev. George Byron Morse, super- intendent of the Sunday-school; R. E. Irwin. and C. C. Klumph, deacons. The First Church turned over to them their mission at the corner of Second street and Forest avenue, and C. C. Klumph was elected to be its superintendent. They occupied for their first place of worship the second floor of the Bowdle Block, corner of Main and Pine streets. The organization be- gan its work with enthusiasm and its first year, though one of struggle, was active and pros- perous. At the end of 18 months, however, the- pastor adopted the views of the Plymouth Brethren, and, with a half dozen other mem- bers, left the church and denomination to unite with that body. In January, 1898, their place. of worship was changed to a room on Main street, a little north of Kibby, and Evangelist H. R. Baker was engaged to conduct a series: of meetings. These resulted in several acces- sions and the calling of Mr. Baker to become their pastor. For five months, the stipulated time, he satisfactorily served them. About this time they gave up their place of worship, and all meetings and the Sunday-school were held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Brad- rick, who nobly offered it for the purpose. In April, 1899, Rev. L. J. Baker was called to be- come their pastor and began work with encour- aging prospects, but the church failing of ex- pected aid from the Ohio Baptist Convention,.
243.
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
he felt obliged to relinquish the work the fol- lowing August. This was followed by a sea- son of great depression.
In the early fall the minds of the church and some friends outside, turned to Rev. W. H. Gallant, long and favorably known as a man of superior judgment and of great energy and success in church building, as a desirable leader for them in their present crisis. They called him October 8, 1899. He accepted and at once entered upon the work. His coming brought new hope, and introduced the period of the church's greatest prosperity. The first month had not closed before they had bought the very desirable lot at the corner of Kibby and Pine streets; and it was only a short time until pastor and people were engaged heart and hand in the work of building a church, an en- terprise that hardly any other than Rev. W. H. Gallant would have thought possible of con- summation. The work was carried forward with the pastor's well-known energy and tact, and the following fall, at the end of his first year of service, a church property costing more than $5,000 was dedicated free from debt. Rev. Dr. George E. Leonard, corresponding secretary of the Ohio Baptist Convention, preached the dedicatory sermon. During this year the name was changed to "The South Lima Baptist Church." Mr. Gallant's pastor- ate was also marked by a healthy spiritual de- velopment, and considerable growth in mem- bership. In the summer of 1902 the pastor re- signed and removed to St. Marys.
In October of the same year the church called to its pastorate Rev. G. W. Schmitz, then pastor at Ada. He served a year and a half in a pastorate of hard work and Christian devo- tion, but relinquished the work in March, 1904. The church was finding itself lacking in unity. There were unhappy difficulties and aliena- tions, and several were excluded from the membership. Hearts were sore and there were discouragements.
Rev. C. M. Rupe, formerly pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lima, and at this time temporarily sojourning in the city, was re- quested to serve the church as supply until they should become ready to co-operate in the call
of a pastor. This arrangement proved useful, and after a few months, at the urgent solicita- tion of a portion of the church and of the su- perintendent of missions of the Ohio Baptist Convention, Rev. C. J. Rose, he yielded to a call of the church and became its pastor and entered upon the work in October, 1904, the Ohio convention guaranteeing a liberal por- tion of the support. He is still serving the church in this capacity. It is believed that the church is entering upon a new and prosperous. era. Unity and concord have been attained. Alienations have been healed. With unanimity and harmony, pastor and people are working for the growth of the church and the extension of the Kingdom of Christ. The church is well organized in all departments. The Sunday -- school is a flourishing one under the superin- tendency of C. C. Klumph. The church socie- ties are a Woman's Missionary Society and a Ladies Auxiliary, both under the presidency of Mrs. John Bradrick ; a C. & W. Society com- posed of young women, Mrs. R. P. Ransom, president ; also a weekly boys' and girls' meet- ing, conducted by the pastor. The present offi- cers of the church are: Rev. C. M. Rupe, pas- tor ; Ralph P. Ransom, clerk; L. S. Gilmore, acting treasurer; Mrs. Frank Smith, financial secretary ; C. C. Klumph, superintendent of the Sunday-school; M. L. Metzger, C. C. Klumph, R. E. Irwin (non-resident) and A. F. Palmer (non-resident), deacons. The present mem- bership is 96. The pastor and church are fac- ing the future with anticipations of vigorous growth.
The Second Baptist Church (colored) was organized about 20 years ago and has now about 100 members. Rev. Albert Grayson is pastor.
CATHOLIC.
Church of St. Rose .- As early as 1830, Father Stallo, a missionary from Cincinnati, visited the Catholics of Allen County. Four years later the Father Baden visited this part of the State. The first mass in Lima was cele- brated at the home of Mr. O'Connell by a San- guinist Father in 1846, many people coming a distance of 15 miles to take part in the holy
244
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
sacrament. During the building through Lima of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Rail- way and other roads, large additions were made to the Catholic population who were at- tended from 1850 to 1855 by Father Sullivan, of Tiffin and Father Kreusch, of Westminster, Ohio, alternately. Father Kreusch took steps for the building of a church, but was much dis- couraged when many of the Catholic families moved West. He, however, received as a do- nation from Nicholas Gunkel, a well-to-do Catholic pioneer, a fine lot on the Ottawa road, now North West street, and soliciting subscrip- tions from Catholic and Protestants alike, he succeeded in building a brick Gothic church, 34 by 40 feet in dimensions, in which he cele- brated mass in 1858. The church was named "St. Rose" in honor of America's first canon- ized saint. John Goebel, one of the members of the original congregation, as a labor of love, made by hand all the windows and door frames, often working late into the night. Rev. Pat- rick Henneberry visited Lima in 1856. His successor was Rev. Michael Prendergast who visited Lima periodically in the year 1861. Rev. Edward J. Murphy was appointed St. Rose's first resident pastor, October 19, 1861. Land was purchased by Father Murphy in 1864 for a priest's residence. In June, 1862, Mathias H. Nichols, an ex-Congressman and one of our most prominent men, donated to the church a plot of ground, 350 feet on North West street by 360 on West Mckibben.
The priests since the removal of Father Murphy in 1869 have been: Rev. James O'Reilly who selected the present site of St. Rose; Rev. A. R. Sidley, who succeeded him and sang the first mass in the new church on New Year's Day, 1872; Rev. Francis J. Henry, who came after him in 1876; Rev. James O'Leary, who came in 1886; and Rev. Alfred E. Manning, who took charge of the parish in 1893.
During the administration of Father Sid- ley the present church building was erected at a cost of $30,000, which included the cost of the bell, the high altar and the organ. Im- provements also were made in the parish school. Through the liberality of the people
and the administrative ability of Father Henry the heavy church debt was cleared off during his administration, in 1882. He also erected the Sisters' residence while additions were made to the school and improvements secured for the church. Father Henry died in Lima in 1886. In 1887 Father O'Leary improved the church building by raising the roof and erecting the present graceful spire, known to all citizens of Lima. The following year a new schoolhouse, the one standing at the pres- ent day, was erected and an addition was made to the parochial residence.
At this time the great development of the oil industry brought to Lima a number of hard- working respectable Christian families, many of whom sought the privilege of the Catholic Church and it soon became a matter of neces- sity in order to accommodate them to either greatly enlarge St. Rose or to erect another church edifice. The former proposition was decided upon and in the fall of 1891 the sum of $12,000 was spent on the enlargement and im- provement of St. Rose. Among these im- provements were a 40-foot addition to the church, beautiful stained glass windows, a new high altar and mattings and carpets. In March, 1892, a grand pipe organ was placed in the church, which cost the congregation the sum of $3,043. When Father O'Leary was called to Cleveland, he left but a small debt behind.
On November 1, 1893, the present priest, Rev. Albert E. Manning, was called to Lima from St. Ann's, Fremont, Ohio. He continued the work of improvement and from 1894 to 1896, accomplished the installment of modern heating apparatus in the church and school and in the residences of the Sisters and the priest. A further addition was made to the Sisters' residence, the school and residence of the priest were improved and stone walks with curbing were laid. The parish grew to such an extent that some five years ago it was divided and St. John's Catholic Church was erected at No. 799 South Main street. St. Rose has many church societies through which all the members of the congregation are reached so that each and every one can take active part in the upbuild- ing and improvement of the parish.
TRINITY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, LIMA
2.0
ST. ROSE CATHOLIC CHURCH, LIMA 1
OLD BAPTIST CHURCH, LIMA
MARKET ST. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, LIMA (Scene at the funeral of llon. Calvin S. Brice)
247
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
St. John's Church, located at No. 799 South Main street, was started by Rev. F. G. Rupert, who began his labors here June 30, 1901. The organization was speedily effected. The first committee consisted of Thomas Pha- len, H. S. Simons, J. J. Malloy and D. J. Dan- aher as counsilmen, and of F. X. Sieber, An- drew De Curtins, Cornelius McAuliffe, John F. Seifried and Edward Kane as build- ing advisors. Leech & Leech were em- ployed as architects and De Curtins Brothers as builders. July 20th the plans were made and July 27th the contract was let.
Excavation was begun August Ist, and on September 8th the corner-stone was laid by Rt. Rev. J. F. Horstman, Bishop of Cleveland, amidst a vast concourse of people. It was es- timated that 10,000 persons were present, many of whom had come from neighboring towns. On November 17th, the edifice was far enough advanced toward completion so that divine services could be held in it. On Decem- ber 8th the bell that now swings in the church tower was blessed.
St. John's church and school edifice was solemnly dedicated on December 15th by Rt. Rev. J. F. Horstman, assisted by the pastor, Rev. F. G. Rupert, and others. The first floor is used for divine services and has a seating capacity of 575. The second floor has four large school rooms, and four cloak rooms and the third floor is a society hall 40 feet by 92 feet in dimensions. The building is 48 by 102 feet in dimensions and cost $20,000. The parochial rectory was begun in the late autumn of 1902 and finished in 1903. The parish em- braces all Catholic families south of Market street and at present numbers 300 families. The parochial school was organized in the spring of 1902, with the Sisters of Charity, from Mount St. Joseph, in charge.
Under Father Rupert's care the parish and school have steadily increased in numbers and efficiency and are important factors for good in the South Side community.
Father Rupert is a very forceful speaker, and a writer of marked power. His recent articles in The Educational Herald, of Lima College, have been very widely read. He has many friends in Lima.
LUTHERAN.
Zion's English Evangelical Lutheran Church .- Back in 1854 a number of Lutheran people of Lima and vicinity met together for the purpose of organizing a congregation. A preliminary organization was formed and serv- ices were held in temporary quarters. On May 2, 1855, a full constitution was adopted and the congregation was named the "First English Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Lima, Ohio." On January 20, 1862, the congrega- tion was incorporated under the laws of Ohio as "Zion's English Evangelical Lutheran Con- gregation of Lima, Ohio," and Henry Boose, Joseph Roush and G. W. Overmyer were elected trustees of the congregation.
During the first II years the people were served in rapid succession by Revs. Doner, the Stirewalt brothers, Corbett and Nunemacher. Their first house of worship was the old school- house, purchased from the city and situated on the site of the present church. In 1865 Rev. A. S. Bartholomew was called to the pulpit and served the congregation until about 1880. Dur- ing the early part of his pastorate the present. church edifice was built. During the latter part of his ministry he was assisted by Rev. G. T. Cooperrider for two years and Rev. C. H. Eck- hardt for one year. After this the latter served the congregation till 1894. Rev. Carl Acker- man was pastor from April, 1895, to June, 1896. Rev. F. W. Rohlfing was pastor from June, 1896, to June, 1898, since which time Rev. Carl Ackerman has again served. The church has increased in membership in late years and is in an excellent condition at the present time.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church .- In the early '70's a number of persons belonging to Zion's Lutheran congregation separated from that church and organized St. Paul's Luthieran Church under Rev. J. G. Neiffer. It was char- tered in 1880 and has steadily increased in im- portance as a religious factor in the develop- ment of Lima. In November, 1885. Rev. J. H. Hunton succeeded to the pastorate and served the congregation with singular acceptance and ability for a period of 14 years and one month.
Under the pastoral care of Mr. Hunton.
- 1
248
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
the congregation increased in numbers and spiritual power. The church was freed from a troublesome debt and the lot was purchased on which the present structure stands. A large part of the price of the lot was paid by the Dime Society, which had been organized sev- eral years before. In the year 1897, Rev. C. S. Kohler, of Mount Vernon, New York, be- came pastor. His first work was to continue taking subscriptions for a new church, begun already by his predecessor. During the pas- torate of Mr. Kohler, the new church was erected almost to completion. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. F. P. Bossart, the present pas- tor, who is now in the sixth year of his incum- bency. The church was speedily completed and dedicated with noteworthy and impressive services. A new and elegant pipe organ cost- ing $2,000 was placed in the church and paid for on completion. The congregation has largely increased, now numbering 350 mem- bers. The debt is being paid off gradually so that no one feels burdened. The Sunday-school under the efficient superintendency of Hon. I. S. Motter, assisted by a splendid corps of offi- cers and teachers, is doing fine work. The or- ganizations in the congregation, in addition to the Sunday-school, are the Ladies' Aid Society, the Dime Society, the Faithful Helpers and the Luther League. The congregation has an hon- orable record in the church at large. The church is beautiful throughout and has brought out the admiration and praise of all who visit its sanctuary. Its impressive liturgy and its simple and unostentatious style of worship meet the needs of the human heart.
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.