USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 44
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The society is one of the strong country Methodist churches of the county, having recently erected a new building. The pastor of the church is Rev- erend McNeely.
NORTH SALEM METHODIST CHURCH.
The history of this church begins with the year 1821, when a number of Methodists gathered at the home of Alexander St. C. Hunter for the pur- pose of organizing a religious society. Among the number, who formed themselves into a class and continued to meet at this place for two or three years for religious worship, were Alexander St. C. Hunter, Sarah Hunter, Thomas Hunter, Robert Goode, his wife and mother, and Lydia Russell and her daughters, Hester, Rebecca and Lydia. Class leaders during this time were Robert Goods, William Sharp, Isaac Sharp and Peter Igou.
As time advanced a church was needed, but the funds with which to build were scarce. So sincere were the members that the principal members donated both material and labor and without hardship to anyone the log edifice was soon completed. The house stood on the site donated by Lydia Russell. The house has been described as having been of unhewed logs, having a clap- board roof that was held in place by weight poles. At the south end of the church was a fireplace, and at the north end was a long and low window. The door was made of planks and swung on wooden hinges. The seats were
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made of split logs, made smooth on the split side and supported by pins for legs. This pioneer church was the principal place of worship for the entire surrounding country from 1824 until 1831, when it was abandoned for a more modern house. Among the preachers of more or less prominence who ministered to this pioneer flock were John Strange, Samuel Brown, John F. Wright, Francis Asbury, William H. Raper, Alfred Lorain, James A. Don- ahoe, Westlick and Robert Brandreth.
From 1831 until 1838 services were conducted in a building that orig- inally was built for school purposes. During this time services were in charge of the following: Obadiah Johnson, Joshua Boucher, George W. Walker, Michael Marley, David Warnock. James Smith and A. Wambaugh.
In 1838 preaching services were held in another school house that stood on the right bank of Spain's creek, and continued there with more or less regularity until 1847. At that time the township built a new frame school house on the farm of Highland Mead, and services were held there until 1851. During this time the following pastors served the congregation : Joshua Boucher, Silas Chase, Isaac B. Cartlitch, T. A. G. Phillips, William Litsinger, William Beamer, E. H. Fields, Wilson Smith, James A. Dona- hoe, Philip Nation, A. U. Beall, David Warnock and Thomas M. Thrall.
Thus the little society had been shifted about during its entire existence with no permanent place of worship. The desire to have a permanent and settled place of worship caused them to join with the weak society at Strange chapel, in Logan county, for the purpose of erecting a church building. Necessary preparations were made and work on the building was begun in 1851. The house was forty by fifty feet and was constructed of brick. The
. site, which was donated by Joshua Spain, was located on his farm about one-half mile south of the Logan and Champaign county line, on the east side of the road, leading from Mechanicsburg to West Liberty and Middle- burg. The principal contributors of the two societies were Joshua Spain, Hudson Haines, Thomas Hunter, Alexander St. C. Hunter, Abram Martin, David Martin, William Evans, Isaac Sharp, John Haines, John S. Hunter, James W. Hunter, Theodric Goode, Salmon Cole, and Thomas Everett. The total cost of the structure was about one thousand dollars, and the contractor was William Shafer, of North Lewisburg. The church was dedicated on August 23, 1852, by Rev. Michael Marley. The winter of 1852-53 witnessed a great revival, with the addition of nearly thirty names to the membership.
From 1853 to 1869, the following ministers preached to the society : G. W. Harris, James D. Kendall, Thomas Audas, J. T. Bail, John Vance, Samuel Brown, - Sullivan, Wilson Smith, David Sharp, James Manning,
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N. McDonald, W. N. Williams, N. D. Sargeant, W. B. Jackson, T. E. Fid- dler, Wesley Webster, J. Verity, S. Deem, James McHugh, and H. M. Curry. For a few years prior to 1868, the church building had become inadequate, and in the year mentioned the question arose as to whether the congregation should rebuild or repair. Meanwhile, however, the village of Mingo had sprung up, and it was decided to abandon the building at Salem and build at Mingo.
Mingo Methodist Episcopal Church-The site for the church was donated by J. B. Brinton, and the contract for the building of the church was let to Henry T. Raymond. The building was completed early in October, 1869, at a cost of about one thousand five hundred dollars, and was dedicated by Rev. James L. Bail. The building has been remodeled and improved in nearly every respect, and it now amply serves the needs of the congregation. Among the pioneer ministers who served the congregation were H. M. Curry, D. R. Staley, David Whitmer, Jesse M. Robinson, Allen M. Tibbits, John S. Pumphrey, Henry Miller. Since the church has been on the Zanesfield circuit for many years, it has been fortunate in having the services of strong and able ministers. The pastor at the present time is the Rev. C. E. Howard.
TERRE HAUTE METHODIST CHURCH.
The Terre Haute Methodist Episcopal church is one among the oldest Methodist churches of the county, and has had a long and checkered career. The society was first known as Arnys chapel, named for one of the very early pioneer Methodist ministers. The members of the society resided in the south- ern part of Mad River township, and about 1814 they erected a log church on the land of William Ross in that township. Since the society had a gradual, but not rapid growth, it was reorganized in 1835 by Rev. Joshua Boucher. Not long afterward an edifice was erected in the village of Terre Haute, near the site of the present building, which was erected in 1883. Recently, how- ever, the latter has been improved, until now it is one of the neat and com- modious country churches of Champaign county.
Many pastors have served the society, but to give the names of all would be an endless task especially in the absence of adequate records. Among those who are rememebred by the oldest citizens are Fields, Whitmer, White, Meddler, Block, Mattox, Killinder, Taylor, George Cary, Stanley Wiant and Compton, the latter of whom resigned in April, 1917.
At the time this is being written, the society is without a pastor, but arrangements are being made to secure the services of a capable one. The
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present membership of the society is one hundred and twenty-two. In con- nection with the church is an active Sunday school, of which C. W. Stevens is superintendent. Other auxiliaries are an Epworth League, a Queen Esther Circle and a Ladies' Aid Society, which was recently organized with a large membership.
RECTORS CHAPEL.
The church history of Mad River township would not be complete with- out mention of Rectors chapel, a little Methodist society that existed during the early days on Chapmans creek, south of Terre Haute. Time has erased every vestige of the society but the name, which has been handed down from the past generations.
CHRISTIANSBURG METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Christiansburg Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1837, but, in the absence of the original records, very few of the early details con- cerning the society can be given. The site for the church building was given to the society by James Smith. A log house, standing on the site, was torn down to make room for this first building, which was erected in 1857 at the cost of fifteen hundred dollars. This edifice was occupied until 1884, when the present structure was erected at the cost of thirty-five hundred dollars.
A complete list of pastors who have served this congregation cannot be given, as there are no church records prior to 1862. Beginning with this date the following ministers have served this church: David Whitmer, 1863-64: N. Edgar, 1865-66: William B. Jackson, 1867-69: T. E. Fidler, 1870-71 ; J. C. Deen, 1872-73: George M. Edgar, 1874: Nathan Prince, 1875-76; Milton P. Zinc, 1877-78; A. D. Raleigh, 1879-81; A. L. Howren, 1872; Henry Miller, 1883-84; J. Raper Hunter, 1885-87: F. W. Hypes, 1888; Thomas D). Williams, 1889-90; John L. Dalbey, 1891-93: Isaac C. Page. 1894: David S. Ewry, 1895; W. L. Spence, 1896-98: John F. Laird, 1809-1901 : Oliver L. Seward, 1902-03: Warren Wiant, 1904: Fred J. Reinbarth, 1905-06; Frank Neer, 1907: F. F. Tittle, 1908-09; W. H. Cundy, 1910; Herbert Killinder, 1911 ; E. T. Clark, 1912-13; J. W. Miller, 1914-15: J. F. Young, 1916 to the present time. The church has an active membership of one hundred. It has also an active Sunday school, of which W. L. Deaton is the superintend- ent, and a very enthusiastic Woman's Home Missionary Society.
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KINGS CREEK METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
The history of the Kings Creek Methodist church dates back more than a hundred years, and during all these years it has been engaged in furthering the work of the Master in the community of which it is the center. While the early records of the local church have long since disappeared, it is known that there was some kind of an organization here as early as 1804. At least there is a record of the reception of probationers and baptisms in 1805. The circuit of which Kings Creek was a part extended from Lake Erie to the Ohio river. Even as late as 1835, there were twenty-four appointments on the Urbana circuit : Urbana, Kings Creek, Bethel, Hains, Good's school house, Strange chapel, Hatcher's, Upper Mill creek, Lower Mill creek, Lockwoods, Mt. Moriah, Spains, William Franklebergers, J. Franklebergers, William Curls, Lear Runyons, Mechanicsburg, Brick chapel, Rapps school house, Bald- wins, Middleburg, Africa, Widow Laffertys, and Pisgah. It will be noticed that a number of the preaching places were at the private residences of members.
Services for the Kings Creek members were held at the homes of its various members at first, and later at a small brick school house which stood on the south bank of the creek about half a mile west of the present village of the same name. There was no church building until 1834. In that year a brick structure was erected on the north bank of Kings creek near the residence of Benjamin Byers, on the land of Samuel Taylor. Taylor donated the site on which the church stood, and it is now owned by Jacob Clark.
The church record has the following to say concerning the building of the little brick church : "This Meeting-House was built for the use of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church in the United States of America, Ohio Conference, Urbana District, Urbana Circuit, and deeded according to the form of the Discipline of said Church. Superintended by John Hitt, Joel Funk, John Walker, Abraham Weidman, James Long, John D. Walker, John Funk, John Walker. Abraham Weidman, James Long, John D. Walker, John Mast, Trustees. This house, called Wesley Chapel, was founded and built in the years of our Lord 1834-35: Dedicated to the worship of Almighty God on the 29th day of May, 1835 : Dedication sermon preached by Wm. H. Raper, P. E."
The church had a high pulpit, which was a constant source of danger to the more enthusiastic preachers, who more than once fell out of it. The trustees in order to save life and limb had the pulpit lowered to a point where a sudden precipitation of the minister would not result disastrously.
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The records show that most of the conversions occurred at the times of the quarterly meetings. In 1855 J. C. Black held a revival in the church, which resulted in the addition of more than a hundred. The singing on this occasion was in charge of Richard Coleman. Another season of great rejoic- ing in the church here, as well as in all the Methodist churches of the county, was in the winter of 1857-58. Mechanicsburg alone reported one hundred and four conversions; Mutual had one hundred and fourteen, while Kings Creek had nearly a hundred.
The Old-Time Revival-A word might be said in this connection con- cerning the manner of holding these revivals. They were not places of amuse- ment by any means, and it was the rule to refuse people admission who came a few times without giving any indication of joining the church. It was the constant rule to have what were known as "closed doors"; that is, each per- son was admitted by ticket-a printed slip with the name of the minister, a quotation from the Bible, and the name of the holder. On one occasion the Baptists of Kings Creek allowed the Methodists to use their church for a revival. Then the Methodists would not permit any of the Baptists in the building while the services were in progress. Because of this, some of the Baptists said : "Something wrong is going on or they would admit us". But whatever it was, it sent the people home shouting until the woods re-echoed their "Amens."
In those days a revival was the means of bringing some young men into the church by the way of a maiden's heart. "Uncle Dick" Coleman told this story of how a young man became a member: The young lady of the man's choice was a faithful member, but, he was still among the "unsaved." He had come to church three times without a ticket-the legal limit-in order to escort the object of his affections home from meetin'. The fourth time he presented himself at the church door, "Uncle Dick", the doorkeeper on that particular night, told him that he would have to take out a ticket and give some indication that he was attending the services for the good he might derive from them. The young man did not hesitate to admit that he was getting good out of the meetings, but not in the way the good old deacon meant. He was not particularly averse to belonging to the church, and if it was necessary to join in order to be near his lady love,-why, he would join. He wanted to be sure that his girl was on the inside, and, on being assured that she was, he finally blurted out, "I'll join." Afterward Coleman said, "He has never been much use to the church. I do not know whether I committed a sin in forcing him to join in that way or not."
Pastors and Progress of the Church-Among the preachers of the church
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may be mentioned John Sale, John Collins, C. W. Christie, G. W. Walker, Samuel Clark, David Warnock, James Smith, Joshua Boucher, Silas H. Chase, T. E. Fidler, A. G. Shotsman, J. R. Wynd, W. A. Vohris, J. L. Hixon, R. S. Hardin, and A. G. Newton, the latter serving since September, 1915.
Among the local preachers the name of William Haller is probably the best remembered. For over sixty years he was a faithful exhorter in the church. Benjamin Gehman was another local preacher of unusual ability as an organizer. He was responsible for the organization of the Methodist churches at Kennard and Local chapel. He is credited with having received more than two hundred people into the church.
The present building was built during the years 1865-66, and was dedi- cated on February 10, 1866. A subscription paper was started on April 27, 1865, with the name of A. B. Funk for two hundred dollars. Other heavy contributors were B. W. Gehman and John Mast, $500 each; John Byers, $150. The old church and lot were sold to John Cohan for $400, and a new lot was purchased of J. W. Claybaugh on July 15, 1865, for $200. The build- ing, as finally dedicated, cost $3,553; and was erected by Hiram Pierce. The new bell cost $200; matting, $37.50; sofa, $35; two chairs, $40; pulpit, $35; ninety-five and a half yards of carpet at 1.471/2 per yard-total of all furnish- ings, $1,008.25. The total cost of building and furnishings was $4,561.25.
J. T. Bail preached the dedicatory sermon in 1866, and on the same day raised one thousand four hundred and twenty dollars, but this was not quite sufficient to meet all obligations. The last debt on the church was paid off on April 1, 1868. One of the momentous questions to be decided when the new church was opened was the seating arrangement. In the old church the sexes were rigidly separated-women and girls on one side and men and boys on the other. The young people insisted that in the new church they be allowed to sit together, and the old folk finally let them have their way. Fifty years have elapsed since the church was opened, and, during this half century, the congregation has followed in the footsteps of their fathers in fostering the best interests of the church and of the community at large.
The membership of the church today is about one hundred and thirty. An active Sunday school, which has an average attendance of eighty-five, is maintained.
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TREACLES CREEK METHODIST CHURCH. By George F. Goul.
The Treacles Creek Methodist Episcopal Church, located three and one- half miles north of Mechanicsburg, on the Mechanicsburg and Bellefontaine pike, was built in 1828. The ground for burial and church purposes was given to the society by Mr. Tatum Coffey in the year 1825. In the first grave of the cemetery lies the child of a man named Witte. The church, which was located on the northwest corner of the cemetery, was of the usual pioneer kind. All the heavy frame work was of hewed logs, while the rafters and the lighter parts of the frame were of small trees.
There have been as many as five denominations which have held meetings in this church. The number includes the Baptist, United Brethren, Christian, Presbyterian and Methodist. About 1855, a disagreement arose among the members of the church with regard to all these denominations holding services in the church. This circumstance caused a division and the society was finally dropped from the conference. During this time, services were held from time to time by Timothy Johnson, a local preacher. A Baptist preacher by the name of Lyons held service during the winter of 1862. Reverend Chase was also a pastor who held frequent services in this church. Among other early ministers here was the Rev. G. W. Coleman, who held a very important revival during which twenty-eight people were converted and bap- tised. Among those who remained with the church after the division came, were the following: Isaac McAdams and wife, Samuel Mitchell and wife, John E. Bamberger and wife, Solomon Linville and wife, David Yeazel and wife, Samuel Morris and wife, Andrew Douglass and wife, Tatum Coffey and wife, Thomas Douglas, Sr., and wife.
Among the early ministers who served the society were Rev. David Warnock, Reverend Kendall, Reverend Bayles, Reverend Selman, Reverend Black, Reverend Phillips, Reverend Sharp, Reverend Vance, Reverend Whit- mer, Rev. J. Webster, and Rev. G. W. Coleman. Among the presiding elders of the church during the early days were Rev. Dr. Deboys, Rev. Dr. Marley, Rev. Dr. Spain and Rev. Dr. Mitchell. Among the first trustees were Solomon Linville, Isaac McAdams, John Bamberger, Tatum Coffey and Andrew Douglass.
Progress of the Church-In the spring of 1863 a building committee, consisting of Jacob Bambarger. Newton Goul and Solomon Linville, was appointed by the society to secure funds to build a church edifice, which was
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an absolute necessity to the church at that time. The committee met with a hearty response from the membership, and the necessary funds were readily subscribed. Reuben Nincehelser was employed to put in the foundation, and the contract for building the church, which was to be thirty feet wide and forty feet long, was given to Frank Bates of Urbana, whose bid was two hundred and seventy-five dollars. The men assisting in the carpenter work were John Owens and two whose names were Johnson and Palmer. The building was plastered by Charles Yanoni, and the painting was done by Frank Taylor. A great amount of the lumber for the church was donated by Solomon Linville.
The church was dedicated during the latter part of June, 1864, and soon afterward the society was admitted to the conference. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Reverend Bayles of Springfield, Ohio, assisted by Rev. G. W. Coleman, Rev. J. Webster, and others. The total cost of the church when it was completed was fifteen hundred dollars. Among the members at that time were Tatum Coffey, Jacob Bambarger, Newton Goul, Samuel Mitchell, David Yeaset, Solomon Linville, Isaac McAdams, 1M. E. Hinton, M. Laniger, George Harland, L. Harland, and G. F. Goul. Of these mentioned, only the last five are now living.
The most important auxiliary to the church is the Sunday school, which has an enrollment of one hundred and fifty and an average attendance of eighty. This organization has become a most important factor in the religious life of the church. In September, 1908, it improved the church building and reseated it so that it now has a seating capacity of two hundred. Mrs. Agnes Swallow is now superintendent.
In 1911 a Ladies' Aid Society was organized by Rev. H. Killinder and wife. The first president was Mrs. M. A. Carter. At the present time Celia Douglas is president.
A large number of pastors have served the congregation, but the names of all of them cannot be found. Among the number are the following: Reverends Tibbitts and I. C. Page, 1891-94 : W. T. Stafford, 1895-96; C. W. Briggs, 1897; J. L. Dalby, 1898-1900; C. D. Munsey, 1901-02 ; J. S. Ruggers, 1903-04: Thomas Cundy, 1905-06; W. D. English, 1907-08; H. Killinder, 1909-11; Reverends Lane and Clemons, 1912; J. Front, 1913-15; J. T. Yocum, 1916 to the present.
The trustees of the church at the present time are M. E. Hinton, M. Lininger, Quinn Harland, George Harland, and G. F. Goul. The member- ship in April, 1917, was fifty-six.
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NEWSOMS CHAPEL.
Newsoms chapel, located in Jackson township, was organized in 1833, by Joseph Newsom, a pioneer Methodist minister. A small church building was erected shortly after the society was organized and was occupied until the present church was completed. This edifice was dedicated January 10, 1892, by Rev. Frank Mitchell. The society is composed of a thrifty and active membership, there being about one hundred and forty names on the church roll at the present time. The pastor in charge is Reverend McNeeley.
KENNARD METHODIST CHURCHI.
The Methodist church at Kennard was organized about 1876, and a building was erected the same year. The dedicatory service was in charge of John Forbus, and the church was given the name of Forbus chapel in his honor. The church has experienced various degrees of prosperity, but today is in a rather weakened condition. The church is on a circuit with Cable and a part of the Springfield district. Rev. W. C. Smyer, who is the pastor of the church, divides his time equally between this church and Cable.
CABLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In 1853, H. M. Cable, with the assistance of a few others, began the construction of a church in the village of Cable, with the intention of making it the property of the Presbyterians, but when it was not occupied by this society, all other denominations were welcome to use it. Before the building was completed, Mr. Cable saw that the financial burden was going to be too heavy on himself, a circumstance which led to the sale of the unfinished build- ing to the Methodists for the sum of three hundred and fifty dollars. The building was soon completed by the Methodists and was dedicated by Rev. J. W. Weakley, of the Cincinnati conference.
Among the preachers who have ministered to the needs of the congrega- tion since its organization are the following: John G. Black, John Vance, James T. Bail, David Warnock, David Whitmer, William Paul, W. B. Jack- son, Wesley Webster, Allen W. Tibbits, T. E. Fidler, D. L. Hayward, S. W. Carey, G. H. Kennedy. The pastor at the present time is W. C. Smyer, who is also the pastor of the church at Kennard, the combined membership of which is fifty.
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FOUNTAIN PARK METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Fountain Park Methodist Episcopal church, located one and one half miles west of Woodstock, was organized in 1896. Among the charter mem- bers who are still connected with the church are Mrs. J. W. Corbett and Charles James. Ellen Wilson was the chief leader of the church at the time of organization.
A church building, which was erected the same year the society was organized at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars, is still occupied by the congregation. When the village of Fountain Park was almost totally destroyed by fire nine or ten years ago, the church was closed, during the pastorate of Reverend Killinder. The society remained dormant until the fall of 1916, when a revival was held and twenty-nine members were taken into the church. Rev. J. T. Yocum is the pastor of the church and services are conducted twice each month. An active Sunday school is maintained, with an average attendance of thirty.
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