USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume I > Part 21
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"Philip Younce was the first minister to conduct religious services in this part of the county. He lived about five miles southeast of West Milton, nearly twenty miles distant, and made his visit on horseback every eight weeks. Services were held in the homes of the people, except in midsummer, when a well shaded spot in the forest was selected. At the time of one of these appointments Painter Creek had risen to abnormal size. A friend of Rev. Younce living east of the creek, desiring to spare the veteran minister this long jour- ney, sent a messenger the day previous to inform him he could not cross the raging stream. The elder, who was al- ready en route, hesitated a moment, and then replied, 'My horse can swim, and I shall try and reach my appointment.' On he went and sure enough the faithful horse did take him safely through the deep water full of floating logs, and his appointment was filled according to previous announcement.
"In 1850 the young men of this community, having a desire for greater social and educational development, erected through subscription for material and labor, a building made of logs one mile east of the village of Painter creek on the farm owned by Samuel Beane. This was first used only for singing schools and debates, but soon after its use was also tendered the church in which to hold religious services. A few years later the building was given wholly to the church. and thus it became the first church building in this part of Darke county. With such ministers as Philip and John
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Younce, David Mishler, Abraham Younce, Eli Swank, Henry Jones, Frederick Stauffer, Absolem Hyer and other conse- crated leaders, Ludlow church grew in influence and numbers until it reached a membership of four hundred. For a third of a century its membership has remained about the same. Within this time even a greater number of members removed from its borders and became pioneer settlers in the west and northwest. Believing that with less territory and more con- centrated effort a church organization can accomplish more efficient work, Ludlow district in December, 1913, decided to divide itself into two congregations with Painter creek and Red river comprising one congregation and Pittsburg and Georgetown the other. In German township there were early organizations of this church, likewise in Adams township, where the early settlers organized a congregation known as the; Upper Stillwater congregation: This also included a part of Miami county. The first church house built for this congregation was in the autumn of 1844 and the spring of 1845, about one mile north of Bradford, on the Miami county side. The ground was donated by Jacob Bashore and John Beanblossom. The ministers were Eld. Michael Etter, John Brumbaugh and John Cable. Deacons, Daniel Morgan, Isaac Hoover, David Minnich and Adam Brandt. Later Oakland congregation in Darke county and Covington and Newton congregations in Miami county were formed from this ter- ritory.
In 1868 the first church building was taken down and the present large and substantial building erected. In 1908 this building was remodeled so as to provide better Sunday school facilities.
Amongst other ministers who were leaders in this congre- gation were Joseph Risser, S. S. Mohler, John Hershey, Adam Helman, Emanuel Hoover and Wm. Boogs. Ministers hav- ing the work in charge at present are Eld. J. C. Bright, Eld. J. M. Stover, Devolt Crowel, S. D. Royer, S. E. Porter and John Eikenberry.
The Oakland congregation is mostly in Adams township and has a membership of 184. Its ministers are Eld. John Christian, Henry Smith and Elmer Ikey.
There are nearly 100 members of the church of the Breth- ren living in Bradford. An effort is being made at present to raise sufficient subscription to erect a church building there.
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There are at present twelve church houses located in Darke county at the following places: Beech Grove, Castine, Green- ville, Jordan, North Star, Oakland, Painter Creek, Pittsburg, Poplar Grove, Pleasant Valley, Red River and West Branch. Union City and Upper Stillwater congregations are partly in Darke county. The church membership of Darke county is about 1,200, and the number of ministers twenty-three. These are largely of Pennsylvania and Virginia parentage. There are organized churches in 38 of the states of the Union with a membership of about 100,000.
The Gospel Messenger is the official organ of the church, and is published weekly at Elgin, Illinois.
In recent years the church has greatly increased its ac- tivity in missions, Sunday school work, education and tem- perance. Each of these departments has a general board. Under the supervision of the General Mission Board, for- eign missions have ben established in Denmark, Sweden, In- dia and China, with other fields under consideration. The Missionary Visitor is the official paper published monthly at Elgin, Illinois.
Under the supervision of the Educational Board there are nine denominational schools located as follows: Juniata Col- lege, Huntingdon, Pa .: Blue Ridge College, New Windsor, Md .: Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, Va .; Daleville Col- lege, Daleville, Va .; Manchester College, North Manchester, Ind .; Mt. Morris College, Mt. Morris, Ill .; Bethany Bible School, Chicago, Ill. ; McPherson College, McPherson, Kan. ; Palmers College, Lordsburg, Cal.
Under the supervision of the General Sunday School Board with headquarters at Elgin, Ill., there has been effected a more thorough organization of the Sunday schools of the church. I. B. Trout is secretary of the board, and is editor-in-chief of the various Sunday school publications of the church. The enrollment of the Sunday school exceeds her membership.
Ever since the organization of the church she has stood against the open saloon and the manufacture of intoxicating liquor. She believes in the simplicity of life as found in the teaching of Christ in the New Testament.
She represents a people who, as little children (Luke 18:17), accept the word of the new testament as a message from heaven (Heb. 1:1, 2), and teach it in full (2 Tim. 4:1, 2; Matt. 28:20).
Who baptize believers by triune immersion (Matt. 28:19)
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with a forward action ( Rom. 6:5), and for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), and lay hands on those baptized, asking upon them the gift of God's spirit (Acts 19:5, 6).
Who follow the command and example of washing one an- other's feet (John 13:4, 17).
Who take the Lord's Supper at night (John 13:20), at cne and the same time, tarrying one for another (1 Cor. 11:33, 34).
Who greet one another with a holy kiss (Acts 20:37; Rom. 16:16).
Who take the Communion at night, after supper, as did the Lord (Mark 14:17. 23).
Who teach all the doctrines of Christ. peace (Heb. 12:14). love (1 Cor. 13), unity (Eph. +), both faith and works (James 2:17, 20).
Who labor for nonconformity to the world in its vain and wicked customs (Rom. 12:2).
Who advocate nonswearing (Matt. 5:34, 37), anti-secretism (2 Cor. 6:14, 17), opposition to war (John 18:36), doing good unto all men (Matt. 5:44, 46).
Who anoint and lay hands on the sick (James 5:14, 15).
Who give the Bread of Life, the message of the common salvation, unto all men without money or price (Matt. 10:8).
The Church of the Brethren in Greenville.
In our sketch of the Brethren church it has been noted that its early meeting houses were established in the rural communities. On account of their plain manner of living and industrious habits these people devote most of their energies to the cultivation of the soil. However, on account of ad- vancing age, a number of the brethren retired from active life on the farm and settled in the county seat, during the latter years of the nineteenth century. Being accustomed to the regular worship of God these devout people commenced to hola services in the house of Mr. Hardman on the northwest corner of Pine street and Central avenue about the year 1889, under the preaching of Elder Henry Baker. The Mission Board of the Southern District of Ohio soon perceived the im- portance of establishing a church in Greenville, and lent en- couragement and financial aid to this enterprise. With its assistance it was then decided to erect a house of worship in the near future. Services were then held in the city hall. a lot was purchased on the east side of Central avenue be-
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tween Walker and Pine streets, and the erection of a church commenced. This building was pushed to completion and dedicated in January, 1901. It was a substantial brick struc- ture with pointed slate roof 38x60 feet in size, and was the first church located in the rapidly growing section of the city south of the Pennsylvania railway. At this time a society of twenty-four members was organized, among whom were the following: Henry Beck and wife, I. K. Hollinger and wife, David Marker and wife, John Marker and wife, George Puterbaugh, Sr., and wife, David Hollinger and wife, Mrs. Daisy Hollinger, Mrs. Catharine Hopkins, Mrs. Susie Mi- chael, Mrs. Marg. Murphy and daughter Laura. The society grew in numbers and influence and in 1911 the original church structure was enlarged and remodeled, the roof being raised about ten feet, a tower added in front, three Sunday school rooms attached to the east end and a gallery constructed, giv- ing the property a value conservatively estimated at $7,000.00. Special emphasis has been placed on the work of the Sun- day school with the result that it now has an enrollment of about two hundred and fifty members. George D. Puter- baugh was superintendent of this department for several years and was recently succeeded by Allen Weimer. The school is well organized, has seven separate class rooms, be- sides the main assembly room, and supports a teachers' training class. The young people support a flourishing Chris- tian Workers' Society of which Chas. Forror is president. The women of the church maintain a strong auxiliary organ- ization, nown as the Ladies' Aid Society, of which Mrs. David Hollinger is the head. The official board is constituted as follows: Elders, Abraham Brumbaugh, Granville Minnich, A. WV. Weimer ; deacons, Henry Beck, George Puterbaugh, Sr .. Elam Forror, Geo. D. Puterbaugh, Jr., I. N. Royer. Vincent Halliday, Henry Hovatter, Chas. Fryman and Chas. Forror. Rev. David Hollinger has been pastor of this congregation most of the time since its organization, freely giving of his time and talents to the work of the ministry without financial remuneration at his own request. The church now has about 170 members and on account of the need of a central church of this denomination in Darke county. the character of its membership and its strategic location, promises to grow stead- ily in numbers and influence.
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The Brethren's Home.
In the year 1902 the Brethren churches of the southern district of Ohio secured a charter to erect a home for depend- ent orphan children and the old people under their care. After a careful inspection of eligible locations for the proposed benevolent institution, the locating committee chose a beau- tiful site on the east bluff of the Mud creek valley, just south of Oakview addition to the city of Greenville. The central location of Greenville, and its exceptional railroad facilities were determining factors in the decision of the committee. This site comprises forty acres of fertile prairie and upland, formerly known as the Rush farm, lying between the Fort Jefferson pike and the Pennsylvania railway, and commands a fine view of the country to the south and west. On. ac- count of proximity to Greenville and its natural advantage this site was well chosen and reflects credit upon the wisdom of its purchasers. Here two substantial pressed brick build- ings encircled with wide porches were erected at an approx- imate cost of $25,000.00, and dedicated in July, 1903, with ap- propriate exercises.
The buildings are two stories in height with cemented basements under the entire structure, are 35x70 feet in size, and are equipped with electricity, city water, sanitary sewers, natural gas pipes and a good heating plant.
The north building was constructed for the use of the old folks, and has a hallway running east and west entirely through its length. On the right side of this hall, down- stairs, are located the superintendent's office, four bedrooms and a sewing room. On the left side are located the old peo- ples' sitting room, dining room, kitchen, pantry and store room. Upstairs there are six rooms on each side for bed- rooms. At the west end are toilet rooms, and lavatories, with hot and cold water.
The south building is located about seventy-five feet from its companion, with which it is now connected by a brick building erected for a laundry and furnace house. Like the northern building it is intersected by longitudinal hallways downstairs and up. On the north side of this hall down- stairs are located the rooms for the governess, and little girls, children's toilet room, a large dining room and kitchen for the accommodation of the superintendent's family, the help and the children. On the south side of the hall are
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located a large sitting room, chapel, boys' room, and dairy and supply room equipped with cream-separator, refrigerator, etc. Upstairs are located the women's hospital, the men's hospital and four bedrooms.
Twenty-nine adults, ranging in age from 55 to 87 years, were admitted during the first year. No children were admitted until 1905, when eleven came.
Since its establishment the following persons have served as superintendent: A. G. Snowberger, about six months; E. P. Longenecker, one year; Joseph Brant, one year; M. N. Rensbarger, three years; Granville W. Minnich, the present efficient incumbent, has served continuously since 1909.
The lawns in front of the buildings have been nicely graded and planted with trees which, in time, will add greatly to the pleasing and home-like appearance of the grounds. The aver- age number of inmates has been about thirty. At present there are twenty-six adults and six children in the home.
The location of this institution in Darke county indicates that the Brethren church is strong and influential here and is growing in prestige and good works. It also adds one to the high class benevolent institutions located in the county, and tends to attract and bind together the members of a church valued highly for their contribution to the social, moral and religious affairs of our people.
First Evangelical Church.
On account of the goodly proportion of German emigrants to Greenville and vicinity about 1830 to 1850 three different denominations were early established in Greenville, viz., the Evangelical, German M. E. and Lutheran. Although the former denomination has lost its distinctive German character in late years, it was established by Germans, as shown by the records and the names of the early families who supported it. Among these were the Renschlers, Koenigs, Lutzs, Kecks and Schwartzs. The first services were held in private homes by visiting ministers from Dayton, Cincinnati and neighboring places. Although a small class was formed as early as 1842, the membership increased slowly, and did not erect a house of worship until 1858, when a substantial brick church build- ing was erected on the southeast corner of Fourth and Ash streets, where the congregation has continued to worship ever since. The early growth of the church was quite slow
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as indicated by the fact that but twenty-eight members were reported in 1880, at which time regular preaching services were held only once in two weeks. Under the pastorate of Rev. Geo. D. Eastes in 1911, the church was remodeled at a cost of about $4,000.00. At this time a Sunday school room was added, the basement enlarged. the auditorium decorated and refurnished and other improvements made. Plans have re- cently been adopted whereby the society, by action of the annual conference, expect to build a new parsonage on the present site adjoining the church, in the near future.
The trustees in 1913 were: Irvin Smith, president ; C. M. Dunn, secretary : Henry Flurkey, treasurer: Anna Flurkey, president Young Peoples' Alliance ; Mr. Frank Slade, superin- tendent of Sunday school. The enrollment in the Sunday school in 1913 was about 140, and the church membership about 100. The present zealous pastor is Rev. Ernest R. Roop, who is entering on the third year of his pastorate. This church is exceptionally well located and in a position to serve a large number of people in the eastern central section of the city.
The Universalist Church.
As suggested by its title, this denomination stands for the universal fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of all mankind, and the ultimate harmony of all souls with God. Its members accept the Bible as containing a revelation of the character of God and of the duty, interest and final destination of man- kind, and believe that God is revealed in Christ by the Holy Spirit. Both modes of baptism are practiced.
The local congregation is independent in the management of its affairs. This denomination became established in the New England states over a hundred years ago. Although it has never attained a large membership it has exercised con- siderable influence on the religious thought of the Protestant denominations since its organization. From the meager records extant it appears that the first Universalist society in the county was organized in New Madison in 1859 with thirty-one members under the preaching of Henry Gifford. A large lot was purchased of John B. Schriber on the south side of the village in June. 1859, for $75.00 and subscriptions were received for a building. A substantial frame structure about forty by fifty feet in size was soon erected and dedi- cated in January, 1860. Here the denomination has maintained
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an organization ever since, placing special emphasis on Sun- day school work, and is now probably stronger than at any other point in the county. Under the pastorate of the late J. A. Stoner and wife, of Eaton, Ohio, a beautiful modern brick church building was erected in 1903 at a cost of some $8,000.00. This church now has a membership of over one hundred, a large active and well organized Sunday school, a Junior Young Peoples' Christian Union and a Ladies' Aid Society.
The second Universalist church in the county was organ- ized at Palestine by Rev. Elihu Moore, a noted theologian and protagonist of the faith, with ten members, on June 18, 1868. Meetings were first held in the old Palestine school-house but in a few years a substantial frame church building was erected at a probable cost of $3,000.00 on a fine lot situated on the north side of the village, which had been given by Mrs. Viola Kester. Harvey L. Hill, George Kester and M. M. Jeffries were the first deacons, and Harrod Mills the first clerk. This church has had as pastors some of the strongest Universalist preachers in this part of the field, including such men as S. P. Carlton, Thomas Guthrie, John Blackford. J. P. Maclean, John Richardson, Lotta D. Crosley. J. A. Stoner and wife, and the present pastor, O. G. Colegrove.
Associations and other important meetings have been held here and this church might, with propriety, be called the mother of the Greenville church. At present it has a mem- bership of seventy-five, a "Front Line" Sunday school and an active Ladies' Aid Society.
About the years 1891 and 1892 occasional Universalist ser- vices were held in the opera house in Greenville by Rev. S. P. Carlton and Rev. J. P. MacLean. Considerable interest de- veloped which resulted in the organization of the "First Uni- versalist Church," at a meeting held in the city hall, on Thurs- day evening. January 26, 1893, at which the following named persons entered themselves on the roll as members: I. Q. Sinks, William P. Espy. I. N. Eakins, T. J. Dowlar, Charles M. Kates, A. N. Van Dyke, A. P. Sawyer, Mrs. Nina Emer- son, Mrs. Retta Ketring. Mrs. Jane Eakins, Mrs. Harriet K. Dowlar, Mrs. Belle L. Kates, Mrs. America Sinks, Mrs. L. A. Eidson, Mrs. A. P. Sawyer, Mrs. A. E. Shepherd, Mrs. Sarah C. Wilson, Mrs. Amanda Miller and Miss Rettie Sinks.
Rev. MacLean was called to the pastorate in February and the opera house was soon rented as a place for holding ser- (16)
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vices. Meetings were held here on the first and third Sun- days of each month for over two years. In the meantime the society decided to secure a lot and erect a church building. Various sites were considered but before a decision was made Mr. and Mrs. Martin V. Emerson purchased the southwest part of lot 139 on the north side of East Fifth street near Broadway early in 1895 and donated the front portion for the use of the church. An active canvass for a church building fund was now made with the result that the corner stone of the new building was laid on Sunday afternoon, July 7, 1895. in the presence of a large concourse of people. The services were participated in by Rev. L. E. Jones, Presbyterian ; Rev. W. E. Ludwick, Reformed: Rev. J. P. Tyler, Episcopalian, besides the pastor, and were quite impressive.
The structure erected was of brick and cost about $3,500.00. Rev. MacLean served this congregation about four years and was succeeded by John Richardson, who served about two years. Lotta D. Crosley came about 1900 and served some three years. Thomas S. Guthrie followed with a three-year pastorate. Leon P. and Martha Jones acted as joint pastors from 1906 to 1908, and were followed by E. H. Barrett. Rev. and Mrs. O. G. Colegrove began their pastorate in October, 1910, and are still serving acceptably in that capacity, preach- ing here on the first and third Sundays of each month. B. M. McCabe is moderator ; Mrs. Lola Aukerman, clerk : Mrs. Mary Horn, treasurer. The trustees are: L. C. Auberman, B. M. McCabe, Robert Davidson, J. E. Rush and J. E. Owens.
This church maintains a "Front Line" Sunday school, an active Y. P. C. U. and a Woman's Universalist Missionary Alliance.
The Reformed Church.
The Reformed church in the United States is an off-shoot of one of the oldest Protestant Christian bodies having a con- tinuous history since its organization, being contemporaneous with the Lutheran church. It arose out of the Reformation in Switzerland, but soon became planted in Germany, espe- cially in the Palatinate, where it secured control of Heidel- berg University and exerted a powerful influence during the reformation. As a symbol of faith it adopted the Heidelberg catechism in 1563. In policy it is Presbyterial as the Pres- byterian church is Reformed in doctrine. Therefore, these two churches are closely related and have been kept apart
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chiefly by difference of language and tradition. However, these influences have grown less with time and the two com- munions are now negotiating a union. The local governing body in this denomination is called a consistory ; the district body a classis ; a group of classes, a synod; the highest body, a general synod.
The first Synod organized in the United States was among the German settlers of eastern Pennsylvania in 1743. Here this denomination largely became entrenched and from this center has followed the Pennsylvania emigrants to Ohio and other states. It places great stress on the educational method in implanting religion, has an educated ministry and a strong denominational consciousness. It now has over 300,000 mem- bers in the United States and maintains important schools and missions in Japan and China. Its principal educational
institutons in Ohio are Heidelberg University, at Tiffin, and Central Theological Seminary at Dayton. It is well repre- sented in the latter city and in the upper Miami valley, but did not get a footing in Darke county until about the middle of the nineteenth century. The records of 1853 show at least four congregations in this county, viz .: Zion (near Baker's Store), St. John's in German township, Beamsville and Gettys- burg. At a meeting of the joint consistories held in Beams- ville, August 6, 1853, Jesse Prugh was president ; John L. Darner, secretary ; Philip Hartzell and Jesse Prugh, delegates to Synod and Classis. Rev. J. Vogt, Rev. John Stuck and Rev. William McCaughey were prominent early ministers in this denomination. Besides the above mentioned churches congregations were established in the course of a few years, largely under their influence, at Beech Grove (on Ithaca pike) ; New Madison, Mt. Pleasant (at intersection of Nash- ville pike and Greenville township pike), Bethel (on Bethel pike about one mile southwest of Woodington) : Hillgrove; East Zion (two miles east of Greenville on Gettysburg pike), also at Bradford and Arcanum. Rev. Reuben Good and Rev. Jacob M. LeFever were also early preachers in various charges.
Zion's congregation withdrew from the original charge in 1856, and the Beamsville and Creager (New Harrison) churches became attached to the Dallas charge in 1862. By this time the leaders in the denomination had awakened to the importance of establishing a mission in the county seat as a strategic center of the church's activity. Accordingly
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