USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 46
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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, URBANA.
During the early settlement of the state the Baptists confined their ef- forts to the establishment of churches in the rural districts, hence the villages were consequently neglected. A missionary society was organized for the pur- pose of building up societies in these neglected places. As Urbana was con- sidered to be a good field, the Rev. Enos French was sent thither in 1840. Until the necessary arrangements could be made, services were held in the court room; and, in the meantime, by an act of the Legislature, the society of the First Baptist church, was incorporated, Samuel V. Baldwin being named in the charter as one of the trustees. A site for a church building was secured on the south side of Court street, between Main and Walnut streets, and the erection of an edifice was begun. Elder French, who was forced to leave the work on account of his ill health, was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Gorman. It was during the pastorate of the latter that the church was dedi- cated.
Reverend Gorman was succeeded in his work by Elder French. In 1852, Reverend Williams took up the duties of pastor of the local church. He died in the fall of the same year and was followed by Rev. Daniel Bryant,
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who served the congregation from 1852 to 1855. Reverend Agenbroad was the next pastor and remained until 1858. In 1858, Rev. J. C. Bonham ac- cepted the call of the church and administered to its needs for a period of six years. His successors include the following : J. B. Tuttle, 1864-68; B. F. Taylor, 1868-70; I. N. Clark, 1871-73: G. G. Harriman, 1873-78; E. A. Stone, 1878-80 : J. R. Downer, 1880-84; J. N. Fields, 1885-89 ; P. D. Root, 1889-90; H. W. Childs, 1801-93; W. F. Slocum, 1893-94: L. R. Mears, 1895-99; Millard Brelsford, 1900-05; P. W. Longfellow, 1905-07; Clarence M. Eddy, 1908-11 ; F. G. Arnold, 1912-16; W. O. Stovall, 1917.
The present brick building was erected in 1882 at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars. The membership of the church is five hundred and forty. In connection with the church is a large and enthusiastic Sunday school. H. S. Morgan is the superintendent and T. M. Wiant is the secretary.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, ST. PARIS.
Adherents of the Baptist faith in St. Paris met at the Methodist Epis- copal church on August 13, 1874, for the purpose of organizing an inde- pendent Baptist church. After the usual routine of business was transacted, Elder W. R. Thomas was chosen moderator and J. F. Riker, clerk. Letters of recommendation were presented by the following: L. N. Huddleson, Ann Huddleson, Willis Huddleson, M. M. Neher, Mary Neher, Libby Poffenberger, Phoebe . Northcutt, Isabel Walker, Simeon Pence, Isaac Brubaker, Charles Breisford, Elisha Berry, J. F. Riker, Eliza Riker, Daniel Brubaker, Amelia Worrel, Ada Kelley and Sarah Pence.
The church was formally organized on August 20, 1874, and a com- mittee, consisting of L. N. Huddleson, John McMorran and Daniel Brubaker, was appointed to formulate plans for the erection of a building. A church site was purchased from Samuel Bowersock, and a two-story brick edifice was constructed at a cost of six thousand dollars. When completed the church was equipped with a town clock and an excellent bell, the gift of Isaac Brubaker. The church was formally dedicated on January 31, 1875. the services being conducted by Elder Osborn. The first regular pastor was Rev. E. B. Smith and the first trustees were, Daniel Brubaker, Charles Brels- ford and John McMorran. The first deacons were Isaac Brubaker, L. N. Huddleson and T. J. Schooler.
The present building, which is one of the most beautiful and artistic in the county, was begun in 1914 and was dedicated on January 31, 1915, on
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the fortieth anniversary of the dedication of the first church. The church has a home that will be adequate for years to come. The beautiful structure stands forth as an evidence of God's grace among a people who have been so self-sacrificing in seeing such an enterprise pushed to a successful conclu- sion. The resulting influences will surely serve as a reward to these people. The church has a seating capacity of six hundred. Under the entire building is a basement which is equipped with a kitchen, dining room, assembly room, cloak rooms, etc. The total cost of the structure, including the guarantee fund for the pipe organ, was $16,412.96. This amount does not include the sum of eight hundred dollars that was allowed by the contractor for material in the old building. Too much credit and praise cannot be given to the pastor, Rev. N. Y. Mathews, and to the building committee, which consisted of J. H. Batdorf, G. G. Jones, W. A. Nixon, David McMorran and Zede Hanna, for the results so successfully accomplished. Reverend Smith, who has served the congregation since February, 1917, is a young man of sterling qualities and is proving a worthy leader for his large and appreciative congregation.
The pastors since the organization of the church are as follows: E. B. Smith, J. W. Scott, P. M. Weddell, J. E. Denham, P. H. Murray, F. T. Dye, A. J. McElwain, C. E. Wren, I. N. Carman, Reverend Burdette, Frank Sweet, R. E. Carney, W. J. Stith, Charles Mathews, N. Y. Mathews, and the present incumbent, Reverend Smith.
MAD RIVER BAPTIST CHURCH.
As early as 1806, some of the members of the Kings Creek Baptist church obtained letters of dismissal and, at the home of Henry Pence in Mad River township, proceeded to form a Baptist organization. In 1812 the Mad River Baptist Church Association was formed, and this church became a member. In 1821, this church with some others declared non-fellowship with open- communion churches and were dropped by the association. For a few years, services were held in the homes of the members, but as the organization grew and prospered the need of a church building became a necessity. Conse- quently, in 1819 a log structure was erected and, in later years, was sup- planted by a brick edifice which was occupied for many years. The church is no longer in existence.
Among the pastors who have served the congregation have been the following : Peter Smith, John Thomas, John Norman, John Gutridge, Moses Frazee, Sr., Samuel Williams, E. D. Thomas and John M. Thompson.
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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, URBANA TOWNSHIP.
What was known as the First Baptist church of Urbana township was organized in the early part of 1830. The ground on which the church was built was sold to the society by George Sparks and was located in the north- east quarter of section 20. The deed for the property was recorded on March 1, 1830. Just how long the church enjoyed an active existence is not known, but from official records it is ascertained that the society became extinct in 1871.
HICKORY GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Hickory Grove Baptist church, located in Urbana township, was built in 1873. It is situated on a site which consists of more than three acres and which was deeded to the society by Samuel S. Powell. After serv- ices had been held in this building for about twenty-five years, the little society became weaker and weaker until it gradually became extinct.
On August 9, 1911, the building was sold to Harry Saxby and F. M. Shook for one hundred and twenty dollars. According to the original deed, the lot was to revert to the original owner, his heirs or assigns, therefore Mrs. John Logan became the owner of the lot. The proceeds from the sale of the building, benches and other furnishings were turned over to the Mad River Baptist Association, of which the society was a part.
During the pastorate of Elder James Randle, 1877 to 1881, the society grew rapidly. After the latter date the enthusiasm began to wane, and about 1889 the society was disbanded and most of the members found a church home at Urbana.
GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
The German Baptist church in Adams township was formed in the early seventies. In 1874, a neat frame building was erected at a cost of six hundred dollars, and was dedicated by Reverends Ephraim Clopper and Jonathan Yoder. The membership at that time was about thirty. This church lin- gered along for many years but, like many other country churches, gradually became only a memory.
MT. PLEASANT BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Mt. Pleasant Baptist church, located in Johnson township, was or- ganized in June, 1844. The early religious gatherings of the denomination
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were conducted in private homes, in barns, and, in the summer time, in groves. The preachers who first preached the gospel under these circumstances were Rev. J. Ebbard and Rev. D. Runkle. It was the custom to invite ministers of the Myrtle Tree church to preach to the little gathering.
The congregation enjoyed a gradual growth, and in 1844 numbered twenty-five. It was in this year that a hewed-log church was erected under the direction of Samuel McMorran and Isaac Brubaker, the deacons. The first pastor in the log church was Rev. David Scott. Later Reverends New- ton Frazee, Samuel Brower and James M. Kite served the congregation. In 1857, the congregation had grown large enough to warrant the erection of a more modern building, and a neat-appearing frame structure was built.
This church, which was a branch of the Myrtle Tree Baptist church, became affiliated with the Mad River association the same year it was organ- ized and grew to be one of the strongest members of this body. In 1873, the church reached its highest membership, having at that time one hundred and thirty-five members. The society has had the honor of sending into the min- istry two of its members. A. E. Allen and Isaac Pence, the latter being the pastor at the present time. Among the many pastors have been the following : John Ebert, S. M. Browser, M. Frazee, David Scott, James Randle, W. S. Kent. James M. Kite, Isaac Evilsizer, F. M. Taylor, J. W. Beck, Alby Kite. J. E. Deshays. R. E. Carney. W. J. Smith and Isaac Pence. At present the church has a membership of nearly seventy.
WALNUT HILL. BAPTIST CHURCH.
One of the dormant Baptist churches of this county, that will probably never awaken, is the Walnut Hill Baptist church, located near Catawba. The society was organized in 1879 and was admitted into the Mad River asso- ciation in 1880 with twenty-one members. The church, which grew slowly. did some good work for a time. No regular services have been conducted since 1908: and, from present conditions. it seems that the work of the society has been finished. Among its pastors have been the following : Elders B. J. George, William Dunn, R. W. King, R. C. Bryant, Thomas Evans. N. B. H. Gardner, C. E. Foley and Thomas Evans, again, as its last pastor.
COLORED BAPTIST CHURCH. MECHANICSBURG.
The Colored Baptist church at Mechanicsburg was organized in Novem- ber, 1872, with the following charter members: Hicks Grain, Francis Grain.
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Henry and Martha Payne, Anna Young, William Manley, Lucinda Manley, and Anna Alexander Dun.
Fourteen pastors have served the congregation, which numbers about seventy at the present time. The church owns its own property, which was purchased from the First Methodist church, at a cost of two thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars. An active Sunday school is maintained with about fifty members, under the superintendency of Harry Phillips. Rev. J. J. Hackson is the present pastor.
MYRTLE TREE BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church, located in Mad River township, was organized April 24, 1830, by Elder William Fuson, with the following members: George Pine, Bryant Moody, James Pine, John Harnest, William Fuson, Phebe Moody, Ann Harnest, Sarah Pine, Sr., Sarah Pine, Deidamia Fuson, Lucy Comer, and Elizabeth Whitmore. Fight of the above charter members received their letters of dismissal from the Symms Creek Baptist church in Lawrence county, and the remainder were formerly members of the Nettle Creek church.
The naming of the church is one of the very interesting features of the church's history. A short time before the organization of the church, the wife of Elder Fuson had a dream. It so happened that she had been read- ing the first chapter of Zechariah before retiring for the night and the picture of the myrtle tree and of "the angel of the Lord that stood among the myrtle trees" was indelibly imprinted upon her mind. When asleep, she dreamed of myrtle trees in all of their beauty, and it was at her request that the church was given the name. "Myrtle Tree."
After the organization of the church had been perfected, the congre- gation secured from Samuel Kite a tract of land on which a church house was erected. An interesting feature of the purchase was the consideration, which was a calico dress for Mrs. Kite. This building was used as a house of worship until it was replaced by a new one in 1881.
Elder Fuson continued as pastor until September 25, 1841, when he resigned on account of old age. Other pastors who have served the congre- gation include the following: John Ebert, David Runkle, David Scott, T. J. Price, James Randle, N. Y. Mathews, John Hawker, S. Fison, S. A. Sherman, A. F. Pence, J. W. Beck, C. F. Stratton, J. E. Medick, and W. C. Beckett, the present incumbent.
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The church was connected with the Ohio association until 1837, when it became identified with the Mad River association. It is the mother of three churches which are in existence at the present time, namely, Mt. Zion, Mt. Pleasant and Millerstown. From the congregation have gone out several ministers, A. J. Wiant, John Ebert, David Runkle, James M. Kite and James T. Kite. The membership of the congregation numbers approximately one hundred and sixty-five.
PLEASANT RUN BAPTIST CHURCH.
This society was organized at Middletown on November 5, 1838, by the Reverends Thomas J. Price, Daniel Beaver and William Fuson, with the following charter members: John Johnson, Margaret Johnson, Holdridge Chidister, Mary Chidister, Isaac Wilson, Rebecca Wilson, David Wilson, Mary Ann Wilson, John Martin, Elizabeth Martin, Boyd Richardson, Mary Richardson, Nicholas Swisher, Sarah Swisher, Hester Morecraft, Mercy Wells, Joseph Swisher, Jane Swisher, John Doak, Rachel Doak, Elizabeth Graham, Elizabeth Holloway, Eunice Graham, John Graham, Thomas Wilson and Locke Wilson. In December, 1838, a lot was purchased at the cost of ten dollars, and the initiatory steps were taken toward the ultimate construc- tion of a building. After much sacrifice and diligent effort on the part of the members, the building was completed early in 1842. For nearly thirty years the society grew and prospered. Among the ministers were some of the most noted men in the Baptist denomination hereabout. Among these were the Reverends Price, Fuson. Carr, Bunker, Davis, Line, Martin, Thomas, Cleveland, Hale, Eppert, Williams, Chidister, Platts, Hawker, Dye, Lion and Price.
When the village of Mingo was platted and gave promise of becoming a thriving town, it was thought best to abandon the building at Middletown as a preaching point. A building was then erected at Mingo.
MINGO BAPTIST CHURCH.
A substantial frame structure was erected at a cost of about one thousand two hundred dollars. The church was completed early in the year 1867, and was dedicated on February 3, 1867, by David Scott. The leading members at that time were Joseph Miller and wife, Edward M. Morgan, Lizzie Mor- gan, Abel North, Elizabeth North, Silas Igou, Merdie Igou, David Johnson, Elizabeth Johnson, Jonathan Johnson, Sarah J. Johnson, Hannah Gray, Eliz-
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abeth Gray, Huldah Thomas, Lizzie Johnson. The church edifice has, in re- cent years, been thoroughly remodeled and is now a modern country church.
Since the organization of the society, the following ministers have served the congregation : David Scott, W. S. Kent, W. R. Thomas, William Wilbur, B. J. George, G. J. Line, J. D. Hale, C. Platts, M. Jones, T. J. Price, J. E. Denham, James Randle, C. N. Harford, C. E. Wren, Daniel Bryant, J. W. Beck, W. H. Perkham, and J. C. Stratton. The membership of the congre- gation at the present time is about thirty-five.
HARMONY BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Harmony Baptist church, located in Terre Haute, was organized April 18, 1857, by Reverends John Ebert and David Runkle with twenty- one members, who were dissolvents of the Myrtle Tree church. The first meeting was held in the barn of John Lutz; and, until a church house was built in 1858, services were held in a neighboring school house.
The first church house was located on the Kirkpatrick pike, two miles northeast of Terre Haute. In order that the church might be more centrally located, it was moved to Terre Haute in 1894.
The church was never as strong as many of the others of the Mad River association, but during its existence was always aggressive. It has sent into the ministry Isaac Evilsizer and C. M. Bragg. Among its pastors are the fol- lowing: Elders John Ebert, David Runkle, M. Jones, David Scott, Z. Ross, S. B. Nixon, R. R. Jones, William Bean, W. R. Thomas, W. S. Kent, N. Y. Matthews, Isaac Evilsizer, James Randle, B. J. George, Jesse Messer, A. E. Clem, Alby Kite, C. M. Bragg. William Pieffer, J. W. Beck, F. M. Taylor, Reverend Scott, C. F. Stratton, and Reverend Furroughs, who was the last pastor.
The church has a membership of perhaps fifty, but it is in a very much weakened condition. No regular services have been conducted during the past year.
MILLERSTOWN BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Millerstown Baptist church, located four miles northeast of St. Paris, was organized in March, 1882, with thirty-one charter members, and was received the same year into the Mad River Baptist Association. This church had been sustained as a mission to the Myrtle Tree church and drew all of her constituent members from her.
The new church grew rapidly and, in due season, a neat and commodious edifice was erected. The highest membership of the church was reached in
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1906, when one hundred and seventy-two members were reported. In 1909, the society lost forty-two members, mostly by exclusion. At the present the church has a membership of nearly one hundred and twenty members.
The pastors of the church have been the following: J. T. Kite, F. M. Taylor, P. H. Murray, Isaac Evilsizer, James Randle, J. P. Childs, Alby Kite, William Pieffer, J. B. Wakem, N. Y. Mathews, and W. C. Beckett, the present pastor. The church has sent out into the ministry W. H. Taylor, L. F. Taylor and Alby Kite.
BUCK CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Buck Creek Baptist church, located not far from Mechanicsburg, was organized in 1812, with eighteen constituent members, and reached its largest membership in 1834 with thirty-six members. From that time on it lost in numbers until it finally, about 1846, became extinct.
MECHANICSBURG BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was organized under the name of the Goshen church on January 11, 1840, with twenty-eight members; but the name was changed to Mechanicsburg in 1847. This society was organized mainly through the efforts of John Woodward. For five or six years after its organization, it had no building for worship, but sufficient resources were finally collected to build a small edifice on Locust street.
The congregation grew and prospered and became quite strong, report- ing one hundred and six members in 1864; but from this time the society began to weaken until 1883, when there were only thirty-eight active mem- bers. About this time several of the members took their letters from the church and assisted in organizing the Walnut Hill church. The next year the local church reported only five members. Later the membership de- creased to two, and then the property was turned over to the missionary board of the association.
Among the pastors were the following: Elders E. Bunker, George J. Line, James Sampson, J. W. Hawker, T. J. Price, E. J. Thomas, M. Jones, A. Snyder, and J. Wright.
MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Mount Zion Baptist church, located about five miles southeast of St. Paris, was organized on April 18, 1821, with thirty-five charter mem-
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bers, twenty of whom were from the Myrtle Tree church, and the remainder from the Honey Creek church. A church building was erected soon after the society was organized, but it was supplanted by a new and modern one in later years. In 1851 the congregation became affiliated with the Mad River Baptist Association and has remained a part of the same ever since.
The church has enjoyed a gradual growth, and for many years has been one of the strong congregations in the association. It has a membership at the present of about one hundred and thirty, and is doing excellent work under the pastorate of Rev. W. C. Beckett. Among the pastors have been Elders William Fuson, James Randle, W. M. Bean, N. Y. Mathews, S. A. Sher- man. J. E. Lee, W. I. Burdett, J. E. DeShayes, C. M. Bragg, William Pieffer, W. J. Smith, J. F. Medick, and W. C. Beckett, the present pastor.
HONEY CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH.
The first religious organization in Jackson township was the Honey Creek Baptist church, organized in 1811, at the home of Elder Stapleton, who lived about one-half mile east of where the village of Christiansburg is now located. Six members formed the original organization. As was customary in the early days, services were held in the private homes; but in 1816 a log church, twenty-four by twenty-six feet was built. In 1831 this pioneer build- ing was supplanted by a large and commodious brick structure. As time advanced, and the congregation became more prosperous, the need of another building became a necessity ; a circumstance which led to the construction of another substantial edifice in 1874.
Among the ministers who have served the congregation are the follow- ing : Robert Stapleton, Moses Frazee, Abraham Buckels, Moses Frazee, Jr., Elder Willis, T. J. Price, William Fuson, David Scott, J. W. Icenberger, W. R. Thomas, James Harvey, John L. Moore, N. B. Gardner, N. Y. Mathews, J. E. Mendick, and W. C. Beckett, the present incumbent. The membership of the church is about one hundred and twenty.
KINGS CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH.
The settlers who came into what is now Champaign county as early as 1805 were largely from Virginia and Kentucky, and a large percentage of these were of the Baptist faith. This circumstance is evident from the fact that several of the first county officials were Baptists and became members of the Kings Creek Baptist church. Rev. John Thomas, the first county auditor,
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was a Baptist preacher and made an excellent county official. The meetings and interchange of ideas among these early settlers led to the organization of the Kings Creek Baptist church in the year 1805. The organization was perfected on the 29th of June, at the house of James Turner. A partial list of the charter members includes the following: James Turner, Sr., John Guthridge, Sampson Talbot, Rebecca McGill, Hannah Sutton, Ann Turner, M. Guthridge, and E. Parkerson.
In the early days of the church the meetings were held in the houses of the members, which were scattered over a large part of the county, and for a period of eleven years the devout members worshipped in this manner. In 1816 John Taylor gave an acre of land to the little society as a burying ground and a site for a meeting house. The deed was made to Jesse Guth- ridge and James Templin. deacons of the church, and bears the date of March 7, 1816.
During the year 1816 a log house twenty-six by twenty was erected for a meeting house. This structure had neither chimney nor fire-place. As stoves could not be had, a wooden box about twelve by six feet was made of thick puncheons. This was partly filled with clay which was pounded in so as to form a concave surface for the reception of charcoal. This improvised stove, standing in the center of the house, with its glowing bed of charcoal, afforded the only warmth during the winter season. This meeting house became the center of all the Sunday gatherings for this section of the country. It also afforded accommodation for the day and singing schools that were much in vogue during those early days. One of the early teachers who taught, or rather "kept" school, in this house, was Edward L. Morgan.
This pioneer meeting house was occupied for fifteen years and might have stood longer had not it been destroyed by fire. This circumstance made way for the erection of a brick edifice, twenty-eight by forty, which was built in 1831 on the same ground. This sanctuary was occupied until it became too small to accommodate the needs of the congregation, and in 1848 it was razed and the present substantial building wes erected.
Roll of the Pastors of the Church .- There is nothing perhaps more abid- ing in the memories of the members of Kings Creek church than their min- isters. Among those who have served the church, Rev. John Guthridge and Rev. John Thomas seem to have been the first. Which of these two had the pre-eminence, the records do not say : perhaps each esteemed the other better than himself. and in love and harmony worked together. The name of John Guthridge, however, appears more frequently as preacher at the church meet-
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