History of Clinton County, Ohio Its People, Industries, and Institutions, with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, Part 23

Author: Albert J. Brown (A.M.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1108

USA > Ohio > Clinton County > History of Clinton County, Ohio Its People, Industries, and Institutions, with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families > Part 23

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The Walnut Street Church of Christ was dedicated on October 3. 1009, by Walter Scott Priest, of Columbus, Ohio. The church and lot represent an outlay of thirty-four thousand dollars. The church has had three pastors: W. S. Houchins. September, 1909- October, 1911; E. B. Buffington, October. 1911-October, 1914; R. J. Bennett, October, 1914. to the present time. The church maintains a Bible school, Christian Endeavor and Christian Women's Board of Missions. The present membership Is one hundred and thirty-two.

NEW VIENNA CHURCH OF CHRIST.

The New Vienna Church of Christ was organized in 1861 with thirty-six charter members, among whom were the following: Mr. and Mrs. Zephaniah Spear, Mr. and Mrs. Washington Spear. Mr. and Mrs. Clark Dixon, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Rulon. Sr. Mr. and Mrs. David Clark and Mr. and Mrs. McClain Johnston. The beginning of the church in New Vienna was due to the efforts of Rev. W. D. Moore, who was the pastor of the churches at Mt. Olivet. Bethel and New Antioch at the time He began preaching at New Vienna in the fall of 1859 and two years later had the satisfaction of organizing a church at the pince. In the fall of 1980 Rev. Moore and others succeeded in raising between n thousand and fifteen hundred dollars for the erection of a building in New Vienna. the Intention being to start the building in the spring of the following year. But, with the coming of spring the Civil War opened and all efforts to start the building of the church had to be laid aside. It was not until 1866 that efforts were renewed to erect the building and in the same year it was completed and dedicated. The first overseers of the church were Zephaniah Spear and Clark Dixon. The following pastors have served the congre- ention : T. D. Garvin. W. D. Moore. J. W. Ruble, J. I. West. F. P. Couch. Q. A. Randall. E. D. Murch, E. K. Van Winkle. O. A. Blackwell. Wynn Stout, R. G. Shepherd, E. II Buffington. C. D. Poston and N. Conger, the present pastor.

The membership is now one hundred and thirty-five. A flourishing Sunday school of one hundred and thirty members is maintained. A Ladies' Aid Society is the only other auxiliary of the church at the present time.

WILMINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. By Mrs. Edward J. West.

The first person associated with Presbyterianism in what is now Clinton county was James Douglas, who was born in York county. Pennsylvania, October 8. 1760, and settled in what is now Wilson township a short time prior to 1816. About the same time, and shortly afterwards, a sufficient number of Presbyterians settled in that immediate vicinity

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to warrant the establishment of a small mission. The members of the embryo church met at the home of Douglas and held regular services there for some years.

William and James Dickey, ministers stationed at Bloomingsburg, preached to the little congregation from time to time; other early ministers to the faithful little band of worshippers were Samuel Carothers, of Greenfield, James Gilliland and Dyer Burgess.

The first account of a Presbyterian meeting in Wilmington dates back to 1823, when a small group of members of the church, including William and Parmella Walter, Isaac Collett. Samuel Miller, William Bloom, John Lawhead, Thomas Hibben, Charles P. Galla- her and Caleb Smith, met for purposes of worship at their several homes. For some time they continued to meet in private homes. Later they secured the Baptist church in Wilmington for regular services and continued to meet there until they erected their first building.

At a meeting of the presbytery at West U'nlon on September 30, 1823, a petition was received from sundry persons in and around Wilmington, praying to be under the care of this presbytery as a congregation, to be known as Sharon. They were granted the authority to proceed to an Independent organization, under the name of Sharon, and David Montfort organized the congregation and served as pastor for the first year.

At the presbytery held at Hillsboro, January 5-7, 1830, Rev. Montfort requested aid for the Sharon church at Wilmington, to enable them to erect a house of worship. The request for ald was granted by the presbytery and the members were directed to ask contributions for this purpose from their several congregations. Rev. Montfort was dis- missed at the Hillsboro presbytery, which was held October 5-0, 1830, to the presbytery at Crawfordsville, Indiana. He was succeeded by William B. Worrell, a native of Penn- sylvania and a graduate of Princeton University.

On July 19, 1830, the congregation purchased, for one hundred dollars, the lot on which the present church stands The deed for the lot was made by "William Walters and his wife Parmella to Isaac Collett, Samuel Miller, William Bloom, John Lawhead. Thomas Hibben. Charles P. Gallaher and Caleb Smith, trustees of the Sharon congrega- tion, and to their successors in office, for the sole and only purpose of a site for a meet- ing house or place of public worship for the said congregation of Sharon of the Presby- terian church and for no other use, Intent or purpose whatsoever."

Soon after the purchase of the lot. the first building was erected. It was a low, oblong, one-story brick structure, with small windows of many panes of glass. The entrance to the building was on Locust street. The pulpit was a high wooden affair and the whole of the interior was severely plain and strictly in keeping with the simple and unostentatious people who built it.

At a meeting of the presbytery at Georgetown, on April 7-9. 1835, a request on the part of the Sharon congregation for a change of name to that of Wilmington Presbyterian church was presented and granted. Joseph T. Irvin was Invited to become the pastor of the church at a meeting of the-presbytery at Salem. September 29 to October 1. 1835, and necepted the call for one-half of his time. He was installed as pastor of the church on December 16. 1835, and continued to serve the congregation until the presbytery at Ripley. September 11-14, 1838, when his connection with the congregation was dissolved on account of the state of his health. The church, with great reluctance, allowed Rev. Irvin to resign, and for several years the congregation was without the services of a regular pastor.

The next record of a minister was the installation of C. A. Hoyt on June 16. 1843, his connection with the church continuing until October. 1845. Again there was a period when the church had no regular pastor. In 1847 Samuel Miller asked permission to serve as a supply in the Wilmington church and. his request being granted. he remained with the congregation until he removed to Washington Court House In 1850. He was succeeded

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by S. P. Dunham, who acted as stated supply until 1856. R. W. Wilson was engaged as pastor on June 3. 1856, and served the congregation until he was succeeded by Alexander Leadbetter in 1959. Reverend Leadbetter came from the presbytery of Connecticut and remained at Wilmington until 1865. He was followed by Elijab Kubus, who, in turn was succeeded by Samuel J. Miller. a former pastor. The latter remained only a short time. resigning to enter the evangelistie field.

Following the departure of Reverend Miller, the pulpit was vacant from 1870 to July. 1876, when Samuel W. Elliott became the pastor. During his three years' pastorate the church was remodeled. The entrance was changed from Locust to Mulberry street; a low platform was raised at the east end, surmounted by a neat pulpit ; the small paues of plain glass were replaced by large panes of ground glass; the walls were frescoed a soft gray ; the benches were stained walnut-and thus the church remained until it was torn down to make way for the present edifice. It was at this time that a carpet of rich red was purchased with the proceeds of a lecture given by Mrs. Alden, better known as "Pansy."

The church was without a pastor from 1879 to 1881, when the Rev. Julius Strauss accepted a call, bis pastoral relations continuing until November 16, 1886. During his ministrations the church took on new life. New members were added, aid and missionary societles were organized and every department of church work was quickened.

It Is well to state that the church was never without a pastor save for the lack of funds. After having several supplies, the Rev. J. O. Pierce, of Greenfield, was called in 1889, and from the very beginning of his ministry he urged the necessity of a new build- ing. He preached it in the pulpit on the Sabbath day and talked it in the homes of bis parishioners through the week until the congregation caught his enthusiasm. The result was, that on January 8, 1890, at a meeting of the officers of the church it was "Resolved, that we make an effort to secure the money for the erection of a new church on the lot where the old church stands: furthermore, that we adopt the following plans for soliciting the membership and the public for subscriptions:

"It being proposed to build a Presbyterian church at Wilmington, Ohio, on the lot where the old church now stands, at a cost of six thousand two hundred and forty dollars, on a subscription of shares ten dollars and forty cents, each aggregating that amount, now, we whose names are attached do, In consideration of the premises hereby, subscribe and agree to pay the number of shares attached to our respective names for the purpose aforesaid, no subscription to be binding or payable until the said sum of six thousand two hundred and forty dollars is so subscribed. When the full amount is subscribed as aforesaid, then we agree to pay to the trustees of said church, or the person or per- sons appointed by them, the sum represented by the number of shares set opposite our respective names, either in full when called on for the same or in weekly or monthly Installments of twenty cents weekly until all is paid."

The session at this time consisted of D. A. Lamb, John W. Moore and Jacob B. Tener. The trustees were George W. Brown. J. Alfred C'rary and. D. F. Small. The subscription list was several yards long. due to the valiant efforts of Messrs Pierce and Crary, who rode hundreds of miles to secure signers. The arrangement for obtaining the necessary funds was an successful that on Thursday, October 2. 1890, the cornerstone was laid with an impressive service. It was a notable day in Wilmington, not only among Presbyterians, but other denominations as well. It was a and day and a glad day, for many tears were shed-some for the loss of the old landmark, dear to their hearts as the result of so many years of precious association together in the old building. Yet there was another side to their emotions on this eventful day; tears of joy were also theirs because they saw on this day the realization of their labors and sacrifices.

The exercises on this day were in charge of the pastor. Rev. Plerde, assisted by Dr. Alexander Campbell, of the Christian church, N. E. Bennett, of the Baptist church. Rev. H. D. Ketchum, of the Methodist church, and Jonathan Wright, of the Friends

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Reverend Crothers, of Greenfield, preached the sermon. In the course of his remarks he stated that thirty years before he had considered a call to the church, but, after careful consideration, felt that his duty lay in another direction. Among the many things placed in the corner stone were copies of the Clinton Republican, Wilmington Journal, Clinton County Democrat, Buckeye Volunteer, Ohio Messenger and New York Observer. Other articles consisted of some old coins, including a Roman coin dated A. D. 68, bearing the bead of Caesar, and a United States coin, bearing the date of 1823, the same date as the organization of the church. A photograph of the old church was also given a place. By great energy and perseverance, the church was ready for dedication on June 28. 1891.

The following, taken from one of the county papers, is a better account of the dedica- tion than any that could be given at the present day. It will awaken pleasant memories in the minds of those who were then present and be of Interest to those who have since become connected with the church.

"Sunday, June 28, 1801, was made memorable to the Presbyterians of Wilmington and interesting to the large number of friends who met with them on that day in the beautiful new church on the corner of Mulberry and Locust streets. This building represents, as it stands in its elegance and sncredness, prayer and generous giving, which only those who have been especially interested in its erection can tell. The plain old brick house which was torn down to make room for the new one was erected in 1880. the church having been organized in 1823. The ground for the new building was broken on August 18, 1890. Much of the brick of the old structure was placed in the walls of the new, and for nearly another hundred years will, we hope, hold their places in the sacred structure.

"The pastor, Rev. J. O. Pierce, to whom much of the credit of the enterprise must be given, conceived the plan of raising the money on the share plan, each one contribut- ing the sum of $10.40, and in this unique way over $6,600 was raised. The building as it stands now, not counting the windows, which were all gifts, or the furnishings, has cost a little over $7.000.

"The windows, which without exception are very handsome, are of stained glass, and are from the Wells Company, of Chicago. The large south window is the gift of D. A. Lamb and at once attracts attention by its exquisite design and coloring. The center figure shows an anchor and crown in heavy beveled glass. The Jeweled glass with which It is studded gives the window a very rich effect.

"The window in the west wall, corresponding in size to the one just described, is the gift of Mrs. Henry P. Stoddard, and is in honor of her beloved son, Charles N. Prentice. whose untimely death saddened the hearts of all less than five years ago. The design Is that of the Good Shepherd. a strong and tender figure of the Christ occupying the center. holding in bis arms a young lamb. The picture seems particularly appropriate to the subject-the only son of his mother, taken, as was this boy, from this weary world to the Ineffable security and happiness of a Saviour's arms Charley Prentice. boy as he was, made a distinct impression in Wilmington, and the many who loved him, as they look at this window will 'think of him and wing the thought.' The upper part of the window shows a descending dove, and is inscribed to Lucy B. Parkman, an aunt of Mrs. Stoddard, whose life was consecrated to good works, and whose hand was ever outstretched to give and to help. This aunt and Mrs. Stoddard's mother were cousins of Francis Parkman, the famous American historian.

"The window south of the chancel shows a beautiful design of an open Bible and sword of the law, the lower section being a design of the rose of Sharon. The lower section is the wift of Mrs. Oliver C. Crary.

"The corresponding window to the north is the gift of Mrs. Alfred J. Crary, In memory of her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs C. E. Leonard, of Griswold, Connecticut. In the upper section appears the monogram 'I. H. S.' (Jesus, Saviour of Men) and in the

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lower part, the initial "L" In both these windows the coloring design and execution are lovely.

"The windows in the choir arch are gifts of Mrs. Samuel Johns to the memory of her twin sisters. Mary Caroline and Jane Campbell Denver, both of whom exhibited rare poetical gifts. Their beautiful young lives and early deaths are fittingly remembered by this act of sisterly love, none the less tender that a lifetime separates them.

"The large bay window in the church parlor is inscribed to the memory of Miss Emlly L. Grand Girard, and is presented by her many nephews and nieces. Miss Grand Girard was for many years at the head of the Highland Institution at Hillsboro, Oblo, and one hundred and sixty graduates of the school, not to speak of many others who attended, rise up to call her name blessed. She was a French woman by birth, coming to this country when she was eight years old.

"The window in the vestibule opening into the lecture room was presented by Mrs. George W. Brown to the sweet memory of her young sister, Elsie, who died a few years ago.

"The north windows in the lecture room were purchased by the birthday fund of the Sunday school, while those on the east side were the gift of the Ladies' Ald Society. The transom windows in the main vestibule are the gift of the Busy Bees, a society of little people, who do not belie their name. and who have been directed In their industry by Mrs. Stoddard. Over the west door there appears in yellow ground glass a hive of bees, a pleasantly suggestive emblem of the little ones. These young girls raised over one hundred dollars to be applied to the building.

"The members of the Ladies' Ald Society, by their good works, raised sufficient funds to purchase the carpet, a beautiful one, with Brussels effect, costing about three hundred dollars. They also raised the money for the oak pews, costing four hundred dollars, the choir chairs, vestibule furnishings, reflector, gas brackets, and the brass rod and plush curtain for the chancel.

"The lantern in the main vestibule is the gift of Rev. Ezra Withy, of Connecticut. II Methodist minister and a cousin of Mrs Olive Crary. The beautiful and elegant silver communion service is the gift of Samuel Cromwell, of New York city. It is in memory' of his father, grandfather,, grandmother and aunt. It is inscribed. 'In Memoriam. Crom- well.' It consists of two cups, two plates and a pitcher. The pulpit Bible was presented in memory of James Brown, of Hillsboro, father of George W. Brown, by his grandchildren. The pulpit, of elegantly carved onk. with arched supports, was given in memory of Rev. Emil Grand Girard by his wife and children. This good man, a brother of Miss E. L. Grand Girard, was a minister of the Presbyterian church throughout his whole life, dying but a few years ago. full of honor and peace. Ilis large family are, without exception, we belleve, earnest workers in the church of their good father. The two handsome pulpit chairs and divans. upholstered In dark green plush, were also gifts of the Busy Bees

"The communion table. the baptismal font, the altar chair, and the pulpit hymual were presented by thirty-four friends of Mrs. Alfred J. Crary as memorials to those who slept in quiet graves In New England and Wilmington. Twenty-eight of these friends were In New England and the rest in Wilmington. The Idea is a beautiful one and to the strangers in fact. but friends in fancy in the far East, the thanks of the people of Wilmington are wafted. The communion table is of carved oak and inscribed with the words of the Saviour. 'In Remembrance of Me.' In the pulpit Bible are recorded the names of the donors and of those in whose memories the gifts are made, together with their pinces of burial.

"So on Sunday morning, everything heing in readiness, the doors of the sacred edifice were thrown open to the public. Before the time for the service to begin the church was crowded. chairs being so judiciously placed in the unseated parts of the building that over six hundred persons were accommodated. The sermon, a strong and eloquent one.

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was preached by Rev. John McKee, of Center College, Danville, Kentucky. He took his text from Titus 11. 10-12. The scripture Jesson was read by Rev. 8 W. Elliott and prayer was offered by the pastor, Rev. Pierce. The music was in charge of a large choir under the direction of Walter G. Fisher. Mrs. W. S. Creighton sang 'Abide with Me.' At the close of the service, Rev. Plerce made a statement of the financial condition of the church as reported to him by the building committee and asked the people to open their hearts to lift the debt which still remained. So generous was the response that within a very short time over nine hundred dollars was subscribed, which, allowing a liberal discount for non-collectable subscriptions, will place the building, as it now stands, entirely out of debt Not counted in this nine hundred dollars was a draft from Mr. and Mrs. George Stimson, of California, for three hundred dollars, which was due 'the morn- Ing after the day the first sermon was preached in the church.' As these generous people had already given one hundred dollars, it makes their subscription the largest single subscription received.

"In the afternoon a congratulatory service was held, in which all the ministers of Wilmington took part. Rev Elliott presided and addresses were made by Revs. Gough, Ketchum. Mills, Wright. McKee and Plerce. The service was marked by a beautiful spirit of friendliness and encouragement. Later, a meeting of the Christian Endeavor was held. This society, which has rather languished during the past few months, will at once be respiritualized. In the evening Doctor McKee preached again, taking his text from I Corinthians 1, 21-24, and at the close of his sermon solemnly dedicated in prayer the bentiful sacred edifice to the eternal use and glory of God. The church was crowded at the evening service, as it was in the morning.

"When the entire floor is thrown together, parlor, lecture room and large vestibules, all of which are in sight and hearing of the chancel, the seating capacity of the new church is the largest in the town, although to see the auditorium, sented with its hand- some circular pews, one would not imagine this to be the case. To the general public, for generous support and encouragement during the year just past. the officials and congregation of the Presbyterian church desire to extend their heartfelt thanks."

Rev. Pierce continued as pastor of the church until 1893 and was followed by Walter G. Mitchell, a retired minister. then residing in Wilmington, who acted as supply until William J. Mills was called in 1896. After remaining here a year. Rev. Mills was suc- ceeded by Mr. Mitchell, who again acted until J. I .. MeWilliams was called and Installed in 1898. He remained until 1903. when he severed his connection and removed to western Pennsylvania. In the autumn of 1903 W. C. Kendall. of Bloomingsburg, accepted a call, but he was succeeded a few months later. December, 1903. by William A. Ferguson, of Manchester, Ohio. Rev. Ferguson was with the church four years and was followed by Rev. N. E. Bennett, a retired Baptist minister. and other supplies, until July 4, 1900, when W. F. MeCauley was Installed. He served until 1911, when the present pastor, A. J. Marbet, Was installed.

As already stated, there was a Presbyterian mission started in Wilson township, which, in time, became a small church called I'nion. Among Its members were the Telfairs. Richles, Spencers, Bevaus and Frittoes. For many years this church was served by the pastor of the Wilmington church, though a separate congregation. On June 4, 1800, this church became a part of the Wilmington church and three of the six trustees who were elected were former members of the I'nion church, to wit: M. W. Richte. M. M. Spencer and George M. Telfair. Since the union of these two churches the Wilmington church has the distinction of being the only Presbyterian church In the county.

CUBA UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.

The Universalist church at Cuba was organized on Sunday evening. November 20. 1868, by Rev. William I. Bacon, The charter members were T. J. Richardson, William R.

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Moon, Martin H. Moon, William Bates, Emily H. Moon, Sallie Moon, Margaret Mann, Sarah Mann and Jane Mitchell. On the night following the organization a business meeting was held and on this same evening Mrs. Mary Clevenger was admitted to mem- bership.

Services were held In the Cuba school house until a church building was erected in the fall of 1870. The first church was dedicated on August 14, 1870, by Rev. S. P. Carlton ; the present building was dedicated on September 26, 1909, by Rev. F. W. Evans, the corner stone of the building having been laid on July 30. 1908. In 1897 a parsonage was erected at a cost of four thousand dollars.

The list of pastors as taken from the church records is not complete. Some of the minutes are not dated and in some instances it was Impossible to tell when a mintster began and when he closed his service. The list follows: W. 8. Bacon, Saxton, William Tucker, Mrs. M. V. Andrews, October. 1889-93; John Richardson, 1893-97; O. G. Cole- grove, 1897-98; R. N. John, 1808-03; Jobn Richardson, 1903-04; George Lewis. 1905-08; F. W. Evans, 1908-10; R. 8. Kellerman, 1910-12; Sara I. Stoner, May, 1913-14; Henrietta Moore, 1914 ( resigned in fall of same year) ; since Rev. Moore resigned the church has been without the services of a regular pastor. The last report gives the church a mem- bership of seventy-two, distributed among fifteen families. Mrs. Jennie ['ible is the superintendent of the Sunday school, which has a membership of thirty.

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History of Clinton County, Ohio Its People, Industries, and Institutions, with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, Part 23

Author: Albert J. Brown (A.M.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1108

Author: Albert J. Brown (A.M.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : W.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1108