History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 77

Author: Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A.A. & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Mt. Vernon, Ohio : A. A. Graham & Co.
Number of Pages: 1096

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ing was erected. In 1865 the two charges were united, and the "Banning Chapel" property was sold to the members of the Lutheran church, who still own it.

Of the early members and preachers but a few only can be recalled. Of the early members, James Smith, Benjamin Brown, and Anthony Banning are named. Smith and Banning both were preachers for many years. James Smith afterwards attached himself to what was called in those days "New Lights," many of whom in after times became known as "Disciples." Joseph Carper preached here in 1818, and John Crawford in 1824. Abner Goff and Henry C. Pilcher rode the Mt. Vernon circuit in 1829. Revs. Hickman, McMahan, John W. Powers, French, Quigley, Breckenridge, Samuel Mower, Thomas Wilson, Hildreth, Nicholson, Sheppard, G. W. Bush, and others, ministered to the people at different dates, the precise years can- not be ascertained. The Rev. Bush was the first pastor after the two charges were united. The Rev. Samuel Lynch was presiding elder for several years. Rev. P. B. Stroup was pastor in charge during 1879 and part of 1880. Rev. E. Persons is the present pastor, and Rev. Stroup presiding elder. Although the church now numbers over three hun- dred members none can date their membership back beyond 1830, or if any, their names cannot be recalled. William Sanderson, sr., and William Mitchell, united with the church in 1831, and Abel Hart, sr., in 1835.

The first Sabbath-school was started in 1831 by William Burgess, George Cables, and William San- derson, sr., under whose care it continued many years. It numbers now over one hundred and fifty scholars.

The church owns a parsonage on West Chestnut street, and the Gay street church, both valued at about fifteen thousand dollars.

METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH,

Mulberry street, was constituted by the union of the Wesleyan Methodist church that had been or- ganized in 1861, and had erected a church edifice on north Mulberry street in 1852, and a Methodist Protestant church organized about the year 1832, which had erected a house on South Mechanic street, between High and Vine streets, about 1838.

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Later a neat but small parsonage had been erected near the church.

During the early part of 1865, the Wesleyan Methodist church and the Methodist Protestant church of the northern part of the United States were agitating the subject of a union of the two bodies. In view of this it was thought, on the part of leading members of both churches in Mt. Vernon, to present an opportunity for a union. . After consultations and preliminary meetings to consider the subject, February 14, 1865, at a meet- ing held in the Wesleyan Methodist church, Rev. L. R. Roice was made chairman and Rev. John Lamb recorder. A committee previously appointed made the following report:

Articles of agreement for the union and government of the Methodist Protestant and Wesleyan Methodist churches in the town of Mt. Vernon:

PREAMBLE.

WHEREAS, God in the openings of his Providence has given us an opportunity of uniting the two churches in one, as we be- lieve for the furtherance of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and for the salvation of souls, it is our duty to improve the present opportunity, and we hereby agree to unite and form one church, to be known at present as the Union Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon, and to be governed by the following rules until such time as the contemplated convention shall give a name to the churches so uniting :

First, We retain all means of grace held and practiced in both churches, such as class, prayer, and conference meetings, baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Second, That all officers of the church, such as leaders, stew- ards and trustees, shall be elected by a vote of the majority of members of the church present at any meeting called for such purpose.

Third, All the members are eligible to vote on all matters pertaining to the church, and all matters concerning the church shall be decided by a majority vote.

Fourth, The primary principles being the same in both churches, to wit : the admission, trial and expulsion of mem- bers, the same are therefore adopted.

Fifth, It is recommended that the trustees of both churches dispose of the present church properties, as soon as possible to the best advantage, with a view to purchasing a new location and erecting a new meeting-house.

The above report was submitted by a committee composed of John Lamb, D. L. Travis, William Tathwell and Matthew Thompson. After due con- sideration it was by vote unanimously adopted. Fifty-four names were enrolled, and the organization completed. The services of the Rev. J. H. Ham- ilton, then living in Fredericktown, were secured as pastor. It was resolved to hold a meeting for the

transaction of business each month, and that com- munion services be held monthly.

The first meeting under this arrangement was held March 25, 1865, when ninety-four additional names were added to the list of membership, mak- ing in all at that date a membership of one hundred and fifty-four. At this time the following officers were elected: S. H. Jackson, leader; Rollin Beach, treasurer: John Moore and D. W. Wilson, stew- ards; Matthew Thompson, D. L. Travis, R. Beach, S. H. Jackson and John Lamb, trustees. With the church thus organized, it was prepared to go forward in all the work of church organization.

At an early period the sale of the Methodist Protestant church and parsonage was affected through the agency of Dr. Matthew Thompson, one of the trustees, and a lot purchased from Gen- eral G. A. Jones, and one from W. B. Brown, both located on the corner of Mulberry and Sugar streets. It was the design to erect a church house and parsonage on these lots, but in the meantime the Congregational church adjoining was offered for sale; and after some time spent in negotiations the church was purchased for two thousand one hundred dollars, a deed given and reported to the church, October 26, 1867. This church was taken . possession of October Ist, same year. The Wes- leyan Methodist church was sold to Christian Keller for eight hundred dollars, August 5, 1867.

In the month of May, 1866, a convention of Non-Episcopal Methodists was held in the city of Cincinnati, at which a basis of union was estab- lished and a discipline adopted. This church was represented in this convention by Matthew Thomp- son, as delegate, and in view of this the following paper was proposed and adopted in the month of August following :

WHEREAS, The Wesleyan Methodists, Methodist Protest- ants of the North, and Independent Methodists, at a convention held in Cincinnati in May last, for the purpose of forming a union of all Non-Episcopal Methodists, adopted a constitution and suggested a discipline; and as this church was represented in the convention by a delegate; therefore,

Resolved, That this congregation adopt the constitution and discipline of said convention, and that hereafter we be known as " The Methodist Church of Mt. Vernon."

In this way association was formed with the Methodist church and the Muskingum conference. In May, 1877, a convention was held in the city

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of Baltimore, at which a union was effected be- tween the Methodist and the Methodist Protestant churches south, in which the last name was taken by the whole body, so that this church is now known as "The Methodist Protestant Church of Mt. Ver- non."

Since its organization in 1865, it had for pastor, J. H. Hamilton, six years; H. B. Knight, two years; D. Trueman, one year; W. Hastings, one year; J. A. Thrap, three years; E. H. Scott, one year; and J. H. Gray, who is now serving his sec- ond year.

Under the labors of the first pastor the number of members was increased to three hundred, and the number in attendance at the Sabbath-school was over three hundred. The church in which they worship, and two valuable lots adjoining, were owned free from debt. These lots were afterwards sold for two thousand two hundred dollars, and the amount used in building a parsonage and improv- ing the church edifice. During the winter of 1867-8 a series of meetings was held from De- cember Ist until March Ist, and one hundred and fifty-five were received into the church. On the first of April, 1868, the pastor, J. H. Hamilton, baptized fifty-four persons, twenty-three by sprink- ling in the church, and thirty-one by immersion in the race near Norton's mill.

The Muskingum annual conference has held two sessions in the church, and in both cases the mem- bers acknowledged that they were hospitably enter- tained by the church and people who kindly as- sisted.

Many persons who have been members of this church, lost their connection with it by removal, united with other churches, and some proved un- worthy of membership, and their names have been dropped from the list. Sixty have died. George Cassil, the first on the list of members, died soon after the organization. He was followed by Gar- ret Brown and Dr. Matthew Thompson. The last named was suddenly killed by being thrown from his sulky seat, and his feet, becoming fastened in the gearing, the horse ran away, dashing his head against whatever came in the way, so that when the horse's speed was checked and the doctor released, he was unconscious, and survived but a few mo- ments. This sad accident occurred on the Woos-

ter road, some miles from Mt. Vernon, June 19, 1867. The whole community was shocked on re- ceiving the news of this sad occurrence. All knew him; all held him in high regard, for the no- ble spirit and generous impulses shown in his life. His funeral was attended by people from all parts of the country. The number was so great as to largely fill Main street in front of his residence, from the public square to Sugar street. His pas- tor, J. H. Hamilton, addressed the people from a position in front of his residence, and it seemed as though the whole multitude were in tears. Many followed his remains to their last resting place, but among them all, excepting his own family and im- mediate relations, none felt his loss more keenly, or shed more honest tears over his death than the pastor and members of the church with which he was connected.

Resolutions of regret in view of his death, and of tenderest sympathy for his family, were passed and entered upon the journals of the church.

The church now numbers one hundred and sixty-five members, is steadily moving forward, and is laboring to bless and elevate the people.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

In Howe's Ohio Collections occurs the follow- ing :

The first licensed preacher in the county was Willtam Thrift, a Baptist. He was from Loudoun county, Virginia, came in 1807, and travelled on foot preaching in the cabins of the set- tlers.

The above is probably incorrect, as Rev. James Scott is believed to have been in the county as early as 1806, or earlier.

The First Baptist church was organized under the name of the First Baptist church of Mt. Ver- non, December 15, 1835. Of the thirteen mem- bers who signed the original compact, only five are now living. Henry Cosner was the first pastor. The first service was held in the Methodist Epis- copal church on Mulberry street, on the site of the present union school building; then in a select school building on Vine street, the present home of Joseph Jacobs. The church after this migrated from place to place for a period of one or two years, when a location was effected in a ward school-house, now the home of the worthy sexton of the church, Mr. John Hancock.

4II

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

The church worshipped in that little twelve by sixteen room until the erection of the church build- ing now used by the church, on Vine street, ad- joining the home of the sexton.

The first parcel of land, eleven feet from the east- halves of lot two hundred and twenty-three and two hundred and twenty-four, was purchased by -- the church from Truman Ward and wife, May 8, 1841. The second parcel, sixty-four feet by forty- four feet, was purchased from Judge Eli Miller, in July, 1841. The balance of these lots, including the sexton's house, was purchased from Judge Mil- ler, April 1, 1851.

The present church building was built in 1841. The membership numbered sixty at that time. It was built by voluntary subscription. The original paper contains eighteen names, and eight hundred and eighteen dollars were subscribed ; of this amount four hundred and ninety-seven dollars were in cash, and the balance, three hundred and twenty-one dollars, in building materials, dry goods, etc. From a book in which an account seems to have been kept, the whole amount subscribed for the building of this house appears to have been one thousand seven hundred and nineteen dollars and twenty-five cents; from which one thousand three hundred and seventeen dollars and twenty-two cents were realized.

The church prospered, and in sixteen years three hundred and sixty-six members had been added by letter and baptism, and the membership had in- creased from thirteen to two hundred and thirty- nine. Since its organization fifteen ministers have been called to the pastoral charge, viz :

1835, Henry Cosner, three years; 1838, James Seymour, six months; 1839, Elder Beckwith, one year; 1840, Ezra Going, six months; 1840, Elder Smedmear, two years; 1843, David E. Thomas, two years and three months; 1845, E. T. Brown, five years; 1850, J. B. Sackett, four years; 1854, George Leonard, three years; 1856, L. Raymond, six months; 1856, J. L. Richmond, four years; 1860, no pastor-four years-occasionally supplied by J. B. Sackett; 1864, J. W. Icenbarger, six years; 1870, A. J. Wiant, five years; 1875, F. M. Iams, three years and six months; 1879, F. C. Wright, who is the present pastor.

Three hundred and eighty-eight members have

been added to the church within forty-five years, an average of eighteen per annum. The largest number reported one year (1849) was two hundred - and eighty-eight.

In 1848 the house was enlarged by an addition of sixteen feet to its north end.

While this temple has maintained an. uniform exterior (a weather-beaten and moss-covered ap- pearance), its interior has undergone numerous transformations. Conspicuous for its shape, height and size, was a huge wooden structure called the Pulpit, which concealed the minister, except his head and face, while in a standing position, and completely hid him from view when he sat down. Through the influence of Mr. Icenbarger, the present neat and ornamental pulpit was substi- tuted.

The place known as the gallery for the choir, and the heating arrangements have both under- gone a change.

November 25, 1872, a subscription was started for money to purchase a new building lot. A committee was appointed to select and purchase a lot, consisting of Messrs. Ward, Young and Sperry. A piece of land opposite the court house, fronting on High street, was purchased from Messrs. Curtis & Israel for three thousand five hundred dollars. The money was to be paid in four annual payments. The sum subscribed was two thousand nine hundred and eighteen dollars; and the Ladies' Sewing society donated nine hun- dred and thirty five dollars and fifty cents. Had all the money subscribed been promptly paid a fine surplus would have remained, but the failure to pay seven hundred and five dollars, and the in terest on notes for back payments, while none ac- crued on the subscriptions, soon turned the bal- ance against the church, so that in order to meet a standing obligation, the committee was com- pelled to sacrifice a portion of the lot. On the first of April, 1877, twenty-seven feet off the east side was sold to Messrs. McIntire & Kirk for seven hundred and fifty dollars ..

It was designed, at the time the lot was pur- chased, to raise money and build a house, but the financial storm of 1873 so changed business affairs that it was impossible to raise the necessary amount for building. With symptoms of health and perma-

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nent reaction the question of building a new house began to be agitated. After a protracted effort the form of subscription for this purpose was agreed upon October 1, 1879. The conditions of the subscriptions are: That the sum of eight thousand dollars shall be subscribed by the mem- bers of the church, in valid subscriptions, in six months from date, otherwise to be null and void. This, with money derived from all other sources, is to be appropriated to the erection and comple- tion of such a building as the building committee, trustees and church my agree upon. Under no circumstances is the church to be involved in debt. Subscriptions are payable in four eqnal install- ments, one-quarter April, 1880; one-quarter Oc- tober, 1880; one-quarter April, 1881, and one-quar- ter October, 1881.

Messrs. Bedell and Larimore, and Mrs. Ward and Mrs. Thompson were appointed a committee to secure subscriptions. The members have re- sponded liberally and voluntarily. The work seemed to lag at one time, but the volunteer ad- dition of two ladies to the committee, Miss Annie Barr and Miss Annie Briggs, gave the cause a new impetus. One hundred and fifteen names are ap- pended to the subscription paper, with an aggre- gate amount subscribed of seven thousand three hundred and seventy-nine dollars. The founda- tion of the church building has been laid, and the work will soon be pushed to completion.

ST. PAUL'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

This parish is now entering upon its second half of the first century of its existence. Many of the early fathers of the church are still living. When this parish was first founded, Mt. Vernon was a village of some fifteen hundred inhabitants. The centre of population was the public square. There were already in the town three church organiza- tions, the Presbyterian, the Methodist, and the Baptist.

Before the parish was founded, Bishop Chase had, June 21, 1825, visited Mt. Vernon, and preached and baptized one child. In August of the same year he commenced preaching in the old court house, standing on the public square. Pre- vious to this, missionary services were held here by Revs. Intrepid Morse, Samuel Johnston, and others.

With the year 1829, the life of the parish as a dis- tinct church began. In the month of May of that year, a meeting was held at the law office of Ben- jamin S. Brown to consider the question of estab- lishing in Mt. Vernon a church in communion with the Protestant Episcopal church. On the tenth day of June, of that year, an adjourned meeting was held in the same office, at which an organiza- tion was effected. The following resolutions were adopted : That

It is expedient for the friends of the Protestant Episcopal church in this place to organize themselves into a society and become a body corporate. That

We, inhabitants of Mt. Vernon and vicinity, assembled under the provision of an act of the legislature of the State of Ohio, passed February 5, 1819, for the purpose of incorporating religious societies and regulr ting the same, do agree to and hereby do associate ourselves as a society by the name and title of Union church, to make provision for the due celebration and proper performance of divine worship according to the rules and usages of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States, and to transact all kinds of secular and conventional business pertaining to the parish as we are authorized to transact accord- ing to the above mentioned act, and the constitution and canons of said church as adopted by the diocese of Ohio; also that of the general convention of said Protestant Episcopal church in the United States.

We, the undersigned, hereby acknowledge and declare our- selves friends of said Episcopal church, and our desire to sup- port it; and do unite ourselves as a society or congregation by the name above written, and for the purpose aforesaid.

To the above paper the following names were signed :

C. P. Bronson, Samuel Mott, Hosmer Curtis, J. N. Burr, Benjamin S. Brown, James S. Banning, John Clements, John Clements, jr., Samuel Sparrow, John W. Russell, Ebenezer Alling, John Sherman, and H. B. Curtis.

After the name was changed from Union to St. Paul's church, the following additional names were added:

Columbus Delano, David Potwin, H. S. Miller, J. Weaver, M. W. Stamp, J. W. Davis, M. Abernethy, Richard Phillips, W. L. King, Walter Turner, Samuel J. Updegraff, Warner Terry, Truman Ward, T. W. Rogers, C. P. Buckingham, George Browning, M. White, G. B. White, M. H. Mitchell, and others.

The church existed under the name of the Union church down to August 17, 1831, when it was changed to St. Paul's church.

The first parish meeting was held September 7, 1829. At this meeting the following officers were elected: John Clements, warden; Samuel Sparrow, Daniel S. Norton, Jesse B. Thomas, Henry B. Curtis, vestrymen. John Clements was elected a

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delegate to the Diocesan convention, to be held at Gambier on the ninth of September following. To the record of this meeting the name of C. P. Bron- son is signed as rector. The Rev. Mr: Bronson did preach for the congregation for some time, but probably never officiated as the regular pastor of the parish.

The first recorded movement in the direction of a church building was made at a meeting of the parish, February 2, 1830. The meeting adopted a resolution "declaring it expedient to proceed to the erection of a building for the accommodation of the congregation as a place of worship."

Prior to the erection of a church edifice the con- gregation worshipped in the old Presbyterian church, the old court house, and then in a small frame school-house that stood on Vine street, near the present Baptist church. At the meeting men- tioned above, the proper committee was appointed to carry into effect the wishes of the meeting. The committee consisted of Rev. C. P. Bronson; H. B. Curtis and B. S. Brown. The lot upon which the church now stands, was purchased of Isaac Newell, for two hundred dollars.

The first annual meeting, subsequent to the act of incorporation was held Monday, April 12, 1830, at which meeting the following officers were elected: John Clements, senior warden; Ebene- zer Alling, junior warden; Samuel Mott, Hosmer Curtis, Jesse B. Thomas, John W. Russell, John Sherman, James S. Banning, Henry B. Curtis, ves- trymen; J. N. Burr, treasurer ; B. S. Brown, clerk; John Clements and Ebenezer Alling, delegates to Diocesan convention.

With such energy did the building commit- tee work, that on the sixth of May following the corner stone of the first Episcopal church build- ing was laid. This interesting ceremony was per- formed by Bishop Chase, who on the same day united in marriage Dr. Jonathan N. Burr and Miss Eliza Ann Thomas, the first marriage recorded in the parish history.

The church was opened for the sale of pews on the twelfth day of September, 1831. During this year Mrs. James S. Banning, Mrs. Jesse B. Thomas, and Mrs. H. B. Curtis were appointed a committee to obtain money with which to purchase a bell and an organ. The organ was not purchased, but the

bell was obtained, and for nearly fifty years it hung in the tower.

The name of the Rev. Mr. Bronson is not men- tioned in the parish record after the month of March, 1830. August 17, 1831, the Rev. William Sparrow, a professor in Kenyon college, was re- quested to take the rectorship of the parish. He was instituted into the duties of his office by Bishop Chase, and held the rectorship for two years and six months, performing the duties of his office with- out compensation. Bishop McIlvaine consecrated the first church building on the second Sunday in September, 1833.

Rev. Mr. Sparrow resigned the parish in Febru- ary, 1834, and was succeeded by the Rev. Anson B. Hurd.

At a vestry meeting, June 23, 1834, the use of the church was granted to the Methodist Protestant congregation, with the exception of its use after candle lighting.

In 1836 the church, finished in 1832, was de- clared to be unsafe; that it was actually going to pieces; and Columbus Delano, George Browning and T. W. Rogers were appointed to take into con- sideration the ways and means of building a new one. After considerable delay it was decided by the congregation to take down the old church and place the new building upon the same site, but changing its front to High street instead of Gay, as it before stood. May 30, 1836, the sum of four thousand dollars having been subscribed for build- ing a new church, a plan presented by Mr. C. P. Buckingham was adopted, and the building began. In the latter part of 1837, the new church was so far completed as to enable the congregation to wor- ship in the basement. The building was finished and ready for consecration in the spring of 1839, which service was performed by Bishop McIl- vaine, July 21, 1839. The new church, when com- pletely finished and furnished, cost the congregation twelve thousand dollars.

The Rev. Mr. Hurd resigned the rectorship July 23, 1839, leaving a membership of ninety-seven at the close of his ministry.

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History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 77

Author: Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A.A. & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Mt. Vernon, Ohio : A. A. Graham & Co. Number of Pages: 1096

Author: Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A.A. & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Mt. Vernon, Ohio : A. A. Graham & Co.
Number of Pages: 1096