USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 48
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EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The third Lutheran church in the county was organized at Urbana, July 5, 1845. Prior to the permanent organization, Dr. Ezra Keller, who was then president of Wittenberg College in Springfield, Ohio, held the first
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preaching service in the old Academy building on east Court street, now the Central ward school building, in December, 1844.
The organization of the society occurred in the rooms over what is now the Champaign National Bank. The charter members consisted of the fol- lowing: John Poffenbarger, James Thompson and wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, Mrs. Elizabeth Fisher, Miss E. Kendolhart, Jacob Gardner and wife, Shephard Grove and wife, Mrs. Eva Stover, Mrs. Chatfeller, Sallie Dorkins, Jacob Miller and wife, Mrs. Julia Hunter, Mr. and Mrs. Seibert.
In 1847 services were discontinued on North Main street and were held in a small building on east Church street, called Poffenbarger's school house. In the June of that year a Sunday school was organized with twenty-five pupils present. The New Testament and Luther's Small Catechism were used as the first lesson books. A small library was purchased.
During the pastorate of Rev. Adam Helwig, who was the first perman- ent leader of this flock, the cornerstone for the first permanent church home, a substantial brick building, was laid. This building stood on the corner of West Court and Walnut streets, where the present church stands. The services of the dedication were held in the autumn of the same year. In this structure the congregation worshipped for thirty-four years.
The church has undergone the experiences so common to the average society. During the years, 1858 and 1859, the membership was greatly reduced on account of deaths and removals, and in 1862 Reverend Severing- house, left the pastorate to serve his country in the Civil War. A complete disorganization was threatened, because from 1863 to 1867 the society had no religious services. The total disbandment was prevented by E. B. Gaumer, J. F. Rettberg and a few others. In 1867 the board of home missions appointed Rev. A. J. Imhoff as missionary pastor and he reorganized the congregation on April 1 of the same year. Thirty-four of the former mem- bers were then living in the country. The beginning was small, but the number in the congregation was increased by persons who moved into town during the time the church was closed. At the end of two years the pastor withdrew from the support of the missionary board. Henceforth the church experienced a strong and steady growth.
Progress of the Church .- The growth of the society finally demanded an improvement of the church building. Especially was this step necessary because of the extension of the Sunday school activities. It was decided, however, to remodel the old building. This was done and the building as it
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stands today, was dedicated under the pastorate of Doctor Imhoff, August 1, 1886.
In 1902 the residence on the east side of the church and fronting on west Court street was purchased for a parsonage. In 1911 the same was remodeled and made modern. At this time the total value of the church's property approximates twenty thousand dollars, and the congregation is prac- tically free from debt.
The confirmed membership of the church is three hundred. The Sun- day school enrolls at present two hundred and forty-six, with William Leb- kisher as superintendent. The Luther League enrolls thirty members. Miss Fairy Otto is its president. The Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society of the General Synod has two active and live societies in this congre- gation. The president of the women's society is Miss Alice Gaumer and of the young women's society is Miss Christine Erickson. The total member- ship of the two is fifty-six.
The following is a list of the pastors who have served this congregation : Reverends Adam Helwig, A. M. Smith, Daniel Schindler, N. B. Little, J. D. Severinghouse. D. D., A. J. Imhoff, D. D., A. Sonders, A. J. Imhoff, D. D., ( second time), J. S. Simon, H. B. Shank, A. E. Renn, J. E. Hummon, W. L. Guard, and the present pastor, C. C. Roof, who was installed on May 17, 1014.
THE SALEM CHURCH.
The first church house in Johnson township was one built jointly by the Lutheran and German Reformed organizations. It was known as the Salem Lutheran and German Reformed Union church. This church build- ing, which was built of logs, was constructed in 1821 on the present site of the Salem cemetery. The Lutheran congregation, which was led by Rev. Henry Heineke, was organized under the auspices of the joint synod of Ohio. The first trustees of the church were Jasper Miller, Peter Smith and David Campbell. Each denomination, having separate pastors, held alternate services.
The Reformed congregation had no regular minister until 1824. when Rev. John Pence was installed. He served the church until 1845. Reverend Heineke served his people until 1827, when he was succeeded by Rev. Christian Episch, who remained seven years. He was succeeded by Rev. George Klapp, under whose pastorate another joint building was erected. Shortly after the building was erected a split in the church occurred, which resulted
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in the Reformed portion erecting a new building of their own. In 1845 Reverend Klapp resigned and was succeeded by Reverend Hursh, who served the congregation until in June, 1850, when he was followed by Rev. C. Richard and Rev. Enoch Smith. Under the latter's pastorate in 1864-65, the church ceased to exist and became a part of the congregation at St. Paris.
ZION'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, ST. PARIS. -
Zion's Evangelical Lutheran church at St. Paris was organized by Rev. George Klapp, in December, 1843, with the following charter members : Mrs. Lydia Klapp, Maria Ann Klapp, J. H. Klapp, G. S. Klapp, Mrs. Eliza- beth Klapp Judy, Abraham Reineker, D. A. Death, David Hoffman, Mrs. Hannah Hoffman Thatcher, Martin Walbarn, Mrs. Barbara Walbarn, Mrs. Barbara, Isaac Good, Mrs. Elizabeth Good, Jacob Walbarn, Mrs. Maria Walbarn, Samuel Apple, Adam Apple, Sarah Apple, Daniel Apple, William Malhollen, Elizabeth Malholen, and Catherine Mahollen. The first trustees elected were Abraham Reineker, Daniel A. Death, David Hoffman, Martin Walbarn, Jacob W. Walbarn, Isaac Good and Samuel Abel.
The founder, Rev. George Klapp, held the first communion on Decem- ber 3, 1843, and enrolled the first members on January 30, 1844. He was formally chosen as pastor on March 24, 1844. On December 13, 1843 the first election of officers was held.
The pastors who have served the church include the following: George Klapp, Isaac K. Kursch, Adam Helwig, April, 1846, to June, 1861 : Rev. J. D. Severinghaus, D. D., July 1, 1861, to January 20, 1863: Daniel W. Smith, October 18, 1863, to 1867; A. J. Imhoff, April 1, 1867, to January 1. 1873; Rufus W. Hufford. 1873-1874; Daniel Summers, 1874-75: Adam Helwig, June, 1, 1875. to June 1, 1878: Edward D. Smith, September 15, 1878, to August 14, 1881; J. F. Hershiser, November 6, 1881, to January, 1884; Henry Grossman, May 25, 1884, to April 1, 1886; Elias Minter, April 1, 1889, to April, 1892: E. F. Dickey, May 1, 1893, to December 1, 1894; Martin Luther Exline, December 1. 1894, to March 1, 1895: George H. Schnur, Jr., June 1, 1896, to September 1, 1899: Alonzo B. Garman, May 1, 1900, to February 14, 1905: W. W. Kennedy, May 1, 1905, to Decem- ber 10, 1905; D. M. Horner, April 15, 1906, to April 15, 1909: A. C. Martin. June 13, 1909, to June, 1912: W. R. Mohler, October 1. 1912, to April 30, 1917.
A church building was erected in 1844 and occupied until the erection and completion of the present building in 1883. The church has a living
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membership of approximately two hundred and fifty members, but many of them are no longer active. This society is a branch of the old Salem Lutheran church from which have arisen three different societies.
ZERKEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, THACKERY.
The Zerkel Lutheran church was organized on May 1, 1846, by Abraham Zerkel, for whom the church was named. The charter members included the following: Mrs. Lydia Zerkel, John Zerkel, Mrs. Mary Anne Zerkel, Jacob Seifert, Nancy Seifert, Jacob P. Bowers, Mrs. Susan Bowers, David Foltz, Mrs. Christina Foltz, Jacob Zerkel, Mrs. Hannah Zerkel, Jonathan Zerkel, Mrs. Sabina Zerkel, Michael Zerkel, Jacob Schafer, Mrs. Anne Shafer, Henry Zerkel, Mrs. Helena Zerkel, John G. Nace, Mrs. Katherine Nace, Margaret Zerkel, Susan Meyer, Susan Schafer, Susan Zerkel, Amanda Zerkel, Mrs. Amanda Zerkel, Mrs. Catherine Zerkel, Sarah Zerkel, Sarah May, Zerem Zerkel, Mrs. Caroline Zerkel, George Zerkel, Mrs. Sarah Neece, G. W. Doser, Mrs. Elizabeth Anne Doser, Francis Ramsey, Cornelius Zerkel, John H. Bachman, Mrs. Margaret Rebecca Bachman, S. A. Zerkel, Mrs. Mary Zerkel, John Zerkel, Mrs. Nancy Zerkel, Mrs. Sarah Bowman, Lydia May, Absalom Schafer, Mrs. Elizabeth Schafer and Jacob Zerkel.
Those who were also charter members, but who withdrew from the con- gregation in 1848 to form another church in connection with the joint synod of Ohio were: Solomon Schafer, Mrs. Sarah Schafer, Reuben Schafer, Jonathan Schafer, Samuel Schafer, Barnet Zerkel, Malinda Remker, Noah Zerkel, Mrs. Lydia Zerkel, Michael Nees, Mrs. Rebecca Nees, Sarah Nees. Elizabeth Zerkel, Lewis Zerkel, George Zerkel and Elizabeth Zerkel. The society erected a church building one-half mile east of the old Zerkel church, on Chapman's creek, but the organization was finally disbanded. The build- ing was sold and is now used as a barn.
The first site of the Zerkel church was donated by Abraham Zerkel and a building was erected early in the pastorate of Rev. Adam Helwig. This building was occupied as a place of worship until the present church was erected in Thackery. This building was completed and was dedicated on December 12, 1900. The congregation was a part of the Urbana charge until 1853 when it became united with St. Paris. A complete list of pastors follows: Rev. Adam Helwig, May 1, 1846, to May, 1857: J. Borns, June 14, 1857, to June 19, 1864: Daniel Smith, 1864, (church in temporary con- nection with Zion and St. Paris churches, 1864) ; P. M. Diehl, 1865: J. H. Link, December 30, 1865. to October, 1866; Simon Fenner, January, 1867.
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to August 31, 1870; Abraham Essick, September 4, 1870, to April 30, 1871 ; F. A. Matthis, June 1, 1871, to December 31, 1871 ; Alexander J. Imhoff, 1872; Rufus W. Hufford, 1873; Daniel Summers, January 1, 1874, to April, 1875: Adam Helwig, June 1, 1875, to January 15, 1881 : J. F. Hershiser, November 11, 1881, to June, 1884; H. C. Grossman, July 6, 1884, to March, 1886; Elias Minter, April, 1889, to April 1, 1892; E. Dickey, May, 1893, to November, 1894: Martin Luther Exline, December, 1894, to April, 1895: G. H. Schnur, Jr., June, 1896, to August, 1899: A. E. Renn, temporary; A. B. Garman, 1900 to 1905; W. Kennedy, May 1, 1905, to December, 1905; D. M. Horner, A. C. Martin, and M. R. Mohler, October 1, 1912, to April 30, 1917. The church rolls shows a membership of eighty-three, and of this number forty-three are in good standing.
ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, ST. PARIS.
The St. John's Joint Synod church, the German Lutheran church, and the Reform church were jointly organized but each had its own pastor. An unbroken list of the pastors since the organization of this society follows: In 1821 Henry Heinicke was selected to preach for the infant society and continued until 1827, then Reverend Espich assumed the duties as the pas- tor of the church. He served in this capacity until 1834, when Philip Pence became the pastor of the church. He was succeeded in 1835 by George Clapp, who remained with the church as pastor for a period of ten years. Reverend Heirch assumed the pastorate and continued in the service five years. At the expiration of this time Reverend Shuffie became the pastor and served until 1859. Reverend Richard and Reverend Becker were the next pastors. Rev. J. Hoffman received a call from the church in 1868 and continued as pastor until 1874 when Rev. James Manning, the father of Mrs. Harriet Brubaker, accepted the pastorate of the church and served until his death in 1879. His successor was Rev. James Miller, who was followed by M. H. Hockman, whose successor was Rev. P. S. Swinehart. In 1895 Rev. C. E. Krumm accepted the pastorate of the church and continued in this capacity until 1916. Reverend Long is the pastor of the church at the present time.
The church which was built for the three societies already mentioned was designated as the Salem church and was located two and one-half miles northeast of St. Paris; near the Spring Grove cemetery. In 1863 the Luthe- rans built a church on the corner of Elm and Church streets, which church is now occupied by the society.
The German language was used in the church for nearly half a century
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and all the early records of the church are in that language. However, the services have been conducted in English for more than forty years, but there are people who still continue to designate this society as the German Lutheran church, although the word German has long been dropped as part of the official title of the church.
REFORMED CHURCH, ST. PARIS.
The members of this congregation worshipped in the old Salem church until the erection of their own building in St. Paris in 1852. Rev. Jesse Steiner was the pastor of the congregation at that time. This church served the needs of the congregation until the erection of the present beautiful and commodious structure in 1905. The pastor at that time was J. C. Balliet ; and to him is given a major portion of the credit for the building of the church, which was erected at a cost of about eight thousand dollars.
The church has had numerous pastors, but in the absence of records no official list can be given, and the historian must depend on the memory of the pioneer members of the church for his information. Among the many pastors are the following : Jesse Richards, W. M. Andrews, Weaver, Scott, Fromme, Ketro, Yeisley, J. T. Hale, J. C. Balliet, Anthony, Copenhaver and Albright, the latter of whom came to this congregation only a few months ago. The condition of the church is all that could be wished for, there being at the present time about one hundred and forty members. The usual auxiliaries are connected with the church.
REFORMED CHURCH, MILLERSTOWN.
Perhaps the first meeting house built in Johnson township was the one erected jointly by the Reformed and Lutheran congregations on the site of the Salem cemetery. The building was a log structure of the usual pio- neer type, and served as a meeting house until the two congregations decided to erect a new structure in 1842. But the two congregations were not long to exist side by side in the same church building. About 1844 the Reformed society introduced some new measures in their form of worship, and the consequence was a split between the two denominations. As a result the Reformed society erected a new building of their own. This edifice was occupied by the society until the present one was erected in 1888. This society and the one at St. Paris have always constituted a charge and are
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served by the same pastor. The congregation is small, but the interest mani- fested by the society is very commendable. Reverend Albright is the present pastor.
REFORMED CHURCH, ST. PARIS.
The Reformed church began its existence in St. Paris in 1852, when Rev. Jesse Steiner organized the members of this denomination in that com- munity into a society. The society was weak at first and had to be fostered with care. Under the guidance of Reverend Steiner it weathered the storms of its early existence, and has gradually become a strong and prosperous church. In 1905 the church erected a large and modern edifice that is a source of pride, not only to the society, but to the community at large. The church has a membership of approximately one hundred and thirty, and is being served by the Reverend Albright who has had charge of the work since the first of the year.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, URBANA.
In 1884, a Christian church was organized in Urbana by Rev. Robert Moffitt, who was corresponding state secretary of the Christian missionary society. During the existence of the society it met in the building now occupied by the public library, on West Market street. Rev. William Dowl- ing, of Marion, Ohio, served the congregation for a period of ten years, preaching half of the time. The church grew and prospered and at one time the society had a membership of nearly two hundred members.
Rev. Nathan Johnson was the successor of Rev. Dowling and served the congregation for five years. He was followed by Rev. I. O. Randall who was the pastor for five years, and the last regular one connected with the society. After he severed connection with the church, the society was main- tained by the church extension board for a period of four years. Then it was discontinued on account of removals and other natural causes.
CABLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The formal organization of this society was made about 1860, but services were held in the community several years previous. The original membership consisted of about twenty, and the first elders were Alexander Pickard, Evan Perry, and John C. Guthridge. Alfred Whitridge was the first clerk. Shortly after the organization, a substantial brick church build- ing was erected at a cost of one thousand five hundred dollars.
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The ministers who have preached to the congregation include the fol- lowing: Michael Riddle, Noah Walker, John Durnell, Benjamin Lockhart, James Goodwin, James Mathews, William Mathews, A. Clark, James M. Henry, Frank Parker, George Morse, John Erritt, S. A. Griffin, A. H. Moore, W. H. Martin, Jesse Roberts and Q. A. Randall.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH AT CHRISTIANSBURG.
The Christian church at Christiansburg was organized in 1875 under very favorable circumstances. The society purchased the church property that originally belonged to the Presbyterians, for the sum of six hundred dollars. The Presbyterians organized a society at this place about 1840 and held services for many years; among the pastors being Revs. Springer, Smith, Martin and others. But finally the congregation was financially unable to support a church organization and the church property was sold to the Christian church. Among the early ministers of the Christian church were Reverends Mccullough, Smith, Kirby and Dilse.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, CARYSVILLE.
The Christian church at Carysville was formed under very unusual cir- cumstances. In' 1852, Rev. Justus T. Hunt was visiting in Carysville and was requested by a few members of the Christian faith to conduct religious services on the following Sunday. Fearing that his efforts would not meet with much success, Mr. Hunt hesitated, but was finally persuaded and announcement was made of the service. Preaching service was held at the home of Samuel Bowersock and was attended by twenty-four interested people. The success of this meeting was such that another meeting was announced for a certain Sunday in August. On this occasion the residence of Mr. Bowersock was entirely too small to accommodate the crowd and the services were held in a neighboring woods. The interest manifested was so unusual that Mr. Hunt was persuaded to hold a revival during the winter months and the result was very satisfactory. As a result a church organi- zation was formed in the following summer by Reverend Hunt and Joseph Warrington. Among the charter members were the following: Benjamin H. Martz, Samantha Martz, David Conner and wife, Samuel Halterman, Elizabeth Halterman, Elizabeth Cisco and Maria Woodward.
After the organization had been made the members began to work for a building with the same zeal and earnestness. As a result a frame struc-
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ture, forty-four by thirty-six feet, was completed near the close of the year 1853, and was dedicated by Reverend Hunt, who was the pastor for many years.
BETHEL CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
Early in the last century a very prominent man whose name was Bar- ton W. Stone was a preacher of the Christian church in Kentucky. It was he who stood as a champion of the people who were rising in rebellion against a growing ecclesiasticism in the church. From his church came a colony of citizens to this section of the country about 1814. Meetings were at first held in the forests, but in almost a year a church was formally organ- ized and a meeting house, one of the very first in this part of the country, was erected. The members entered into a covenant which follows: "We, the members of the Christian church at Bethel have hereunto subscribed our names, taking the word of God for our doctrine, discipline and government, promising subjection to each other in the Lord, according thereunto in the year one thousand eight hundred and fourteen."
The following list of charter members contains the names of many of the pioneers who were most influential in every righteous enterprise: Rich- ard Clark, James McIlvain, Thomas Baird, John Wall, Robert Crockett, William Newel, Alexander Black, Patty Crockett, Moses Mellvain, Flora McIlvain, Nellie Baird, Nancy Clark, Netty Wall, Peggy Mellvain, Jane Clark, Polly Wall, Jane Black, Polly Cartmell, Jane McNay, Nancy McNay, John Williams, Jane Williams, Jane Leeper, Malinda Wall, Patsey Crockett, Samuel Covington, Mary Covington, James Wall, Rhoda Shields, Thomas Clark, Robert Clark, James Steel, Jr., John G. McIlvain, William Hopkins, Elizabeth Hopkins, Betsey Baird, Abner Snoddy, William Boyd, Ann Boyd, Peter Stipp, Elizabeth Stipp, Polly Leeper, Priscilla King, Hannah Snoddy, Aaron Rhodes, Elizabeth Rhodes, Polly Rhodes, Sarah Robertson, George F. Dunn, William Miles, Jeremiah Fuson, Jane Fuson, Catherine Snoddy, Betsy Vickers, Betsy Rhodes, Samuel Collins, Pattie Baird, Celia Baird, Robert McIlvain, Benjamin Wall, Mary Kelley, Sarah Kelley, Jane Petty, Isaac Davis, Susananna Moose, Ann McIlvain, Margaret Henning, George Petty, Eleonora Baird, Garland Crocket, John L. McIlvain, Jacob Snoddy, Josiah Hopkins, James Stackhouse, Polly Stackhouse, Carmill Crockett, Houston Crockett, Asenith Crockett, Louisa Crockett and many others.
The religious importance of this church, commonly known as the Muddy Run church, is shown by the fact that for many years it was the only church
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in the country near where West Liberty now is. People came for miles from every direction to attend divine services there in the old log meeting house.
"THE WHITE PILGRIM."
In the absence of adequate records not much of the very early history of this church can be given, but the names of a few who were instrumental in accomplishing a great deal of good in the church were the following pio- neers: Caleb Worley, Richard Clark, James Hayes, Matthew Marvin, David Purviance, Levi Purviance, D. F. Ladley, Mahlon Baker, Hallett Barber, Richard Simonton, Hiram Simonton, Isaac N. Walters, Samuel Fuson, James Fuson, Jeremiah Fuson and Joseph Thomas. Many of these men were widely known in their day, and rendered noble service not only to this church but to many of the churches of Kentucky and Ohio. Among these, David Purviance stands out as an exceptional character. Joseph Thomas, better known as "The White Pilgrim," because he usually dressed in white both winter and summer in emulation, as he believed, of the apostolic examples. He was about six feet high, light complexion, straight, athletic, and rug- gedly healthy.
These men and many others wielded a wonderful influence for good in the community through the old Muddy Run church until it was finally disbanded, about 1840. Soon after this the congregation was divided; part going to West Liberty and the others meeting about two miles west of the site of the old church in Champaign county.
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GLADY CREEK CHURCH.
The congregation at Glady Creek began holding services in the school house just across the road from where the church was later built as early as 1841. In 1842 the church was organized and the following covenant taken June 4: "To whom it may concern, Witnesseth, that we whose names are hereunto subscribed have this day been organized as the church of Christ at Glady Creek, covenanting and agreeing to take Holy Scriptures as our rule of faith and practice." In 1844 the first log church building was completed and occupied by the congregation. This stood for about twenty years until it caught fire during a series of special meetings and burned to the ground. For some months the congregation were compelled to hold their meetings in the grove, until a new frame building was erected on the site of the old one the following year. This structure, which was a very good
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